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War, Displacement and Rural–Urban Transformation: Kivu’s Boomtowns, Eastern D.R. Congo

Author

Listed:
  • Karen Büscher

    (Ghent University)

  • Gillian Mathys

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

This article addresses rural–urban transformations in the war-torn Kivu provinces. The spectacular growth and development processes of fast-expanding boomtowns in Kivu’s rural areas serve as an entry point to investigate the relationship between conflict, displacement, urbanisation and development in Eastern D.R. Congo. Based on qualitative research on urban expansion in different smaller towns in North and South Kivu, this article analyses the characteristics of these ‘new’ urban spaces. It demonstrates that boomtowns represent centres of opportunities as well as contestation, and that they play an important role in the economic dynamics of development as well as in the political dynamics of stability and conflict.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Büscher & Gillian Mathys, 2019. "War, Displacement and Rural–Urban Transformation: Kivu’s Boomtowns, Eastern D.R. Congo," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(1), pages 53-71, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:31:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1057_s41287-018-0181-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-018-0181-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kristien Geenen, 2012. "How the People of Butembo (RDC) were Chosen to Embody ‘the New Congo’: Or What the Appearance of a Poster in a City's Public Places can Teach about its Social Tissue," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(3), pages 448-461, May.
    2. Koen Vlassenroot, 2002. "Citizenship, identity formation & conflict in South Kivu: the case of the Banyamulenge," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(93-94), pages 499-516, September.
    3. Sara Geenen, 2011. "Local Livelihoods, Global Interests and the State in the Congolese Mining Sector," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: An Ansoms & Stefaan Marysse (ed.), Natural Resources and Local Livelihoods in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, chapter 8, pages 149-169, Palgrave Macmillan.
    4. Adam Branch, 2013. "Gulu in War … and Peace? The Town as Camp in Northern Uganda," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 50(15), pages 3152-3167, November.
    5. Koen Vlassenroot & Karen Büscher, 2013. "Borderlands, Identity and Urban Development: The Case of Goma (Democratic Republic of the Congo)," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 50(15), pages 3168-3184, November.
    6. Werthmann, Katja, 2009. "Working in a boom-town: Female perspectives on gold-mining in Burkina Faso," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1-2), pages 18-23.
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