Shuaib Akoojee g09a5065

Course:................................................. Lecturer:............................................... Assignment Title:.................................................................................. Due Date:..............................................................................................

Tutor: Tutorial Group:

Declaration:
1. I am thoroughly familiar with both the universitys policy and this departments guidelines on plagiarism. 2. I know that copying directly from either printed books (books, journals or papers) or electronic sources (the internet) and using this material in assignments is dishonest, and that it is also wrong to use another students work and pretend that it is my own. 3. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work. 4. This assignment is my own work.

5. I am fully aware that departments compile a register of plagiarism offenders, and that this is circulated throughout the university.
6. I understand that I am liable to lose my DP if I plagiarise.

Signature....................................

Date..................................

Topic 1: Critically evaluate David Harveys claim that The freedom to make and remake our cities is....one of the most precious yet most neglected of our human rights.?

1. Introduction It was once stated by the famous Greek philosopher Plato, that This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are. Although ancient, this sentiment maintains its relevance in the context of modern society and the issues faced at present. David Harvey, Mike Davis and various other scholars deal with the notion of The City, its surroundings, implications and ramifications. By analysing the thoughts of these modern scholars it becomes possible to view the implications of Platos words with regards to the modern city. Since Harvey essentially argues that; the ability to control and harness the city for the greater good and greater population is one that is often overshadowed and neglected as a human right, as such Platos quote can be seen as an indictment of society, and the attitudes toward the city and the resultant reasons for the current crisis i.e. the ignorance of society toward the city and its use. By viewing the current state of cities at present, it will be possible to understand how and why cities are unable to be remade for the benefit of all. 2. The relevance of Human rights in the Modern City In order for an in depth analysis of Harveys statement, a brief explanation of the terms human rights and city are required in understanding Harveys claim of; the freedom to remake/control the city being a precious but neglected human right. Human rights can be described as the right to equality, equal opportunity, fair treatment and an environment free of discrimination(University of Prince Edward Island, Student Services). Thus, if we

understand the city to be an area of urban settlement in which the population may work and access basic services, a link between the two concepts can be established. The ability to access this city and exert an influence in its maintenance and growth, can be regarded as a human right, since the city should essentially provide an arena for fair trade, treatment and living. However the city; as Harvey argues is not in the hands of the majority, thus the ability of the majority to shape it for its needs and benefits is disregarded. In order to understand this statement, the link between Capitalism, rapid urbanisation and class stratification must be realised.

3. What are the characteristics of these cities and how have they come to be? The rampant spread of Capitalism has, among other issues, served to fuel widespread urbanisation in many cities. This urbanisation process is one that is intrinsically tied to the spread and entrenchment of Capitalist structures, policies and ideals. It is these Capitalist ideals that have permeated the very fabric of society, and resulted in shaping the needs and wants of the population, as Harvey explains urban process has brought with it incredible transformation of lifestylewith an aura of freedom of choice provided you have the money (Harvey, 2008: 31) he continues by adding that the city itself has become a commodity (Harvey, 2008: 31). This highlights the extent to which people have been disenfranchised from their right to the city. A prudent examination of the Capitalist-urbanisation process is necessary in understanding the disparity between the city and its inhabitants as well as the impact on the existent class structure. Capitalism relies on the creation of surplus product that is reinvested to fuel greater surplus production (Harvey, 2008: 24). This excessive production seeks an outlet in order to establish a foothold and grow; such is the nature of profit and capital. Harvey argues that should a crisis occur in which the various methods of ensuring endless circulation of surplus are disrupted, such as expanded labour supplies or geographical range (Harvey, 2008: 24), then capital can be devalued and in some instances physically wiped out (Harvey, 2008: 25), thus it is for this reason money/capital is invested into urban development in turn fuelling rampant urbanisation. The impact of this process (urbanisation) fulfils a dual purpose. Capitalist structure influences, impacts and further divides class structures. Since focus is placed on the generation of surplus capital, this in turn affects the labour needed for increased production. This labour force expands in order to deal with, and create an even larger surplus wealth. This fundamentally exploitative relationship essentially ensures an elite base and an ever increasing labour population. Furthermore there is the rampant rise of middle management strata that ensure a smooth surplus production process. This class stratification is a trend which accompanies rapid urbanisation and capitalism since class divides are amplified the faster the urban growth. Now that the concept of the modern city has been deduced, an analysis of the issues and problems that pervade and accompany this city is possible. Mike Daviss book Fear and Money in Dubai, is a telling example of the aforementioned urban issues that run rampant in rapidly urbanised cities, namely Dubai. Davis investigates Dubai as a city that mirrors the trend of other cities the world over, this trend being the absorption of surplus capital by the property market, also seen in the United States, China and Britain to name a few (Harvey, 2008: 29-30). The absorption of surplus oil wealth by the Dubai property market is one that

allows for the vast developments to occur. Davis explains the socio-economic effects surplus capital has, when invested into decadent and extravagant developments. Dubai exhibits the symptoms of a urbanising city incapable of being remade into a free and fair environment, since control of the land and capital lie in the hands of a miniscule minority, most being transnational corporations and foreign investors. Essentially Dubai has become a city remade for the needs of foreigners and wealthy. For instance, if one considers the current labour system, massive disparities and inequalities are present. The indentured invisible work force (Davis, 2006: 64) credited with the construction of Dubais decadent infrastructure work for inhumane working periods whilst only receiving meagre wages. This newly created labour class is granted no benefits and are socially and legally outcast from Dubai society and in certain instances, Dubai itself (Davis, 2006: 65), with any dissenters silenced through fear of deportation. This indicative moral decay found in urbanised cities is one that can be seen in other cities such as Hong Kong, Delhi and Brazil. It is important to note the idea that middle class members of society have been influenced by allure of capitalism and consumerism and as such are famously tolerant of western vices (Davis, 2006: 64). This ignorance and apathy add to the notion of the exclusivity and general inaccessibility of the city. The upper class consisting of a handful of indigenous inhabitants and foreign investors ensures the status quo of money surplus generation. This notion of the city being in control of a select few for the benefit of a larger exclusive group is seen in various parts of the world as well; such as in New York City where the billionaire Michael Bloomberg has sought to reshape the city along lines favourable to developersand promoting the city as an optimal location for high value businesses and fantastic destination for tourists (Harvey, 2008: 38). 4. How does this concept of the city lead to the disenfranchisement of people? It is of importance to bring in another vital fact about the inaccessibility of cities. The most obvious example of this can be seen in the creation of slums, shacks and favelas. The poor are unable to enjoy the fruits of the city, since they are in most cases forcibly removed to allow for the development of more surplus capital investment/development projects. Harvey explains this phenomena as Creative destruction" (Harvey, 2008: 33) and cites various instances such as Seoul and Shanghai where slum dwellers settled on land that was deemed increasingly valuable and thus through violent (Seoul) or unfair legal (Shanghai) means were removed. This trend of acquiring land; deemed profitable at the expense of the poor, is one that is often ignored by the influenced Middle-class. Based on what has been mentioned the city caters for an elite upper class, which is important as the divide between

the rich and poor is so clearly visible. By considering the hardships faced by the poor such as the labour force of Dubai who reside in camps on the outskirts of the city labourers are crowded six to eight, even twelve to a room often without functioning air-conditioning or functioning toilets (Davis, 2006: 65-66). Contrasted with the extravagant wealth, infrastructure and consumerism of Dubai, from which these labourers are excluded (Davis, 2006: 65), emphasises the extent to which freedom to remake the city has been neglected as a human right. This is something that is emphasised in Dubai but can be seen in cities all over the world. On such city is Johannesburg; where informal settlements, which house a large portion of the labour force, are found adjacent to the city. The conditions in these settlements are extremely poor. This furthermore highlights the extent to which the city in general has become an exclusive getaway for elites. The ability to remake the city is not only neglected but also enforced; since cities, such as Dubai, play host to tremendous amounts of money and power from all corners of the world; the pressure from these agents is enough to hamper or even crush any form of resistance (Harvey, 2008: 68). 5. Conclusion Based on the arguments put forward by Harvey, Davis and others, Platos quote can finally be understood in context of the city. The apathy and carelessness of the middle-class combined with the entrenched capitalistic-exploitative ideals rampant within the upper-class as well as the harsh circumstances encountered by the poor lower-class, results in cities that echo these features. The idea that the city in its current state is due to its citizens action or inaction, ties into the idea shared by sociologist Robert Park who states that in making the city man has remade himself (Harvey, 2008: 23). This quote in conjunction with Platos quote, merely highlights that the city is what we, as its inhabitants make it. Therefore based on the evidence provided; the city being in control of Capitalist big wigs who control and enlarge it for the benefit of tourists and who maintain it for the sole purpose of keeping and generating increased wealth, one can understand that the state of society and the city as a result of citizen apathy, ignorance and oppression. This inevitably leads to a limiting of the ability to remake the city. Plato once said This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are. If the ability to remake the city by its citizens is overlooked and neglected, then it is safe to conclude that its citizens, especially those with the power to affect change, are ignorant, neglectful and in some instances helpless. The only question remains is whether the citizens realise the error of their ways and affect change before it is too late.

References:
Davis, M., Fear and Money in Dubai, New Left Review, 2006 Harvey, D., The Right to the City, New Left Review, 2008 University of Prince Edward Island, Student Services http://www.upei.ca/studentservices/diversity-office/useful-definitions