The Experience of Urban Development in Global South Cities

A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Planning and Design".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 46

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
Interests: urban and rural planning; rural development; digital space

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Guest Editor
College of Geography and Remote Sensing, Hohai University, Nanjing 21100, China
Interests: urban social geography focuses on areas such as residential segregation, gated communities, housing prices, gentrification, urban renewal, and social space

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban development in the Global South presents unique challenges and opportunities that are influenced by rapid urbanization, socio-economic disparities, and environmental vulnerability. These cities are often at the forefront of innovative solutions to issues such as affordable housing, informal economies, and climate resilience. Moreover, research on these cities contributes significantly to the broader understanding of urban theory and practice, offering insights that can inform sustainable development strategies worldwide.

This Special Issue aims to explore the diverse development experiences of cities in the Global South, with a focus on innovative approaches to urban planning, governance, and sustainability. The Special Issue aligns with Urban Science’s scope by contributing empirical research and theoretical frameworks that address the complexities of urban transformation in resource-constrained settings.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome, and research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  1. Urban Informality and Social Innovation;
  2. Sustainable Infrastructure and Green Urbanism;
  3. Urban Governance and Participatory Planning;
  4. Resilience to Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness;
  5. Housing and Slum Upgrading Strategies;
  6. Urban Renewal and Regeneration;
  7. Impacts of Belt and Road Initiative Investments;
  8. Mobility and Transport Systems;
  9. Urban Health and Well-being;
  10. Digitalization and Smart Cities in the Global South.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Min Wang
Prof. Dr. Weixuan Song
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • urban informality
  • sustainable infrastructure
  • climate resilience
  • slum upgrading
  • urban governance
  • belt and road initiative
  • urban renewal
  • affordable housing
  • mobility and transport
  • smart cities

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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