Global flows, local fix?

African metropolises are on the rise. Cities, once perceived as epitomes for informality, peripherality and development struggles, are increasingly appreciated as hotbeds for economic and cultural development, as globally competitive sources of innovation, and as hubs connecting people, ideas and capital all over the world. The position of African metropolises in global networks is changing and gives reason to assume that the continent is on the way to overcome (post-)colonial dependencies. Yet, it remains to be seen if global flows really fix local challenges or if they engender the risk to create little more than isolated pockets of wealth and connectedness.

How can global flows be leveraged to trigger integrated metropolitan development? How can they contribute to create just and inclusive spaces? How can economic and technological impulses help to strengthen environment and society? The workshop “Global flows, local fix” seeks to answer these questions of high relevance not only for African metropolises. Bringing together the expertise of the participants with those of local experts and international stakeholders, the workshop tackles the nexus between global integration and local spatial planning and design and aims to understand how the Accra Metropolitan region is addressing challenges and opportunities of a globalized world.

The program of the workshop will include methodological input, keynotes, and site visits. Participants are actively involved in the program to promote mutual learning. The workshop offers the opportunity to meet professionals as well as local and German institutions engaged in the fields of architecture, urban planning, spatial and socio-economic development. Thematically, the workshop will focus on migration and remittances, foreign direct investment and local growth, technology and environment as well housing and social policies from a spatial perspective.

The workshop will be held in English.