Cities and urbanization processes, including urban sociology, urban economics, housing studies, urban governance, smart cities, and urban sustainability
3 papersThe paper traces the etymology and evolving meanings of "left behind places," highlighting its growing prominence after the 2008 crisis. It argues that while the term has brought attention to important geographical inequalities, its under-specification risks oversimplification and stigmatization, calling for clearer definitions and a more nuanced understanding of the diverse challenges faced by different areas.
The paper finds a concerning increase in violence, including murders, land invasions, and threats, against indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon during the first two years of the Bolsonaro administration (2018-2019). This violence is linked to the weakening of environmental regulations, land disputes exacerbated by agribusiness expansion, and the dismantling of institutions protecting indigenous rights. The paper argues that these actions constitute forms of "necropolitics" and a "state of exception" targeting indigenous populations.
Ageing and shrinking urban populations present a two-sided coin for sustainability, posing challenges like increasing healthcare demand and vulnerability to disasters, while offering opportunities for reduced consumption and environmental pressures. Emerging interventions, such as boosting health care and mobility innovation, enhancing green spaces, and fostering social inclusion through urban knowledge co-production, are crucial to harnessing this demographic shift's potential for achieving long-term urban sustainability.