The interplay of riskscapes and objects in unplanned settlements in Monrovia. Issue 136 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Innis, Phillip Garjay; van Assche, Kristof
• Is Part Of: Geoforum. Issue 136(2022)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Riskscapes -- Object formation -- Informal urbanization -- Risk governance -- Spatial planning -- Liberia; Geography -- Periodicals; Human geography -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Périodiques; Géographie -- Périodiques; Géographie humaine -- Périodiques; Aménagement du territoire -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geography; Human geography; Regional planning; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 304.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2022.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-7185

Abstract

Abstract: This paper explores how the concepts of riskscapes and object formation can be incorporated into governance theory to provide an analytical lens for risk governance in the context of a plurality of practices. In this context, the Monrovia Slum Initiative is examined using data from three unplanned settlements. Competing riskscapes are reflected in object formation, and the resulting object of governance. While manifesting the inclinations of dominant actors, governance objects demonstrate the potential to accommodate a range of interests, groups, ideals, and practices. The slum initiative pursues a development-oriented goal that aims to integrate unplanned settlements into the city. But it equally serves as a device to detach or eliminate unplanned settlements from the city. The 'slum' as an object and the slum initiative as a tool of governance determine which forms of urbanization are acceptable, which areas are stigmatized, as well as guiding locals' conduct. In this manner, the object alters the riskscape it emerges from. The results indicate that the object formation engendered by the slum initiative and its driving actors remains contested and does not necessarily entail a convergence of riskscapes. Governance tools and objects, therefore, do not consistently represent a uniform grounding. The fruitful integration of riskscapes and object formation in governance theory contributes to the literature on urban risk governance and on southern urbanism by providing a prism for assessing the local construction, spatialization and navigation of risk in settings where both informality and planning are contested and diverse.