The contribution of reform coalitions to inclusion and equity: lessons from urban social movements. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitlin, Diana
• Is Part Of: Area development and policy. Volume 8:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: urban reform -- coalitions -- urban transformation -- political change -- Global South; 城市改革 -- 联盟 -- 城市改造 -- 政治改变 -- 发展中国家; ireforma urbana -- coaliciones -- transformación urbana -- cambio político -- hemisferio sur; городская реформа -- коалиции -- городская трансформация -- политические изменения -- глобальный Юг; Regional planning -- BRIC countries -- Periodicals; Economic development -- BRIC countries -- Periodicals; Rural-urban relations -- BRIC countries -- Periodicals; Human geography -- BRIC countries -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Rural-urban relations -- Periodicals; Human geography -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 338.90091724
• DOI: 10.1080/23792949.2022.2148548
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-2949

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Coalitional politics is being used by multiple urban social movements – and agencies that support their work – to address the scale and nature of disadvantage in towns and cities of the Global South. To advance our understanding about how coalitions might form and function effectively, this paper introduces and analyses four diverse exemplars that illustrate the approaches used. We find that coalitions have the potential to improve the relational capital of disadvantaged residents, increasing the legitimacy of their claims, advancing their interests and leading to pro-poor reforms. Coalitions enhance existing political opportunities and potentially improve the political opportunity structure. However, context matters, particularly the nature and extent of local democracy, and coalitions must operate in a space that is circumscribed and contested.