How urban and demographic transitions create conditions for peace and conflict
How urban and demographic transitions create conditions for peace and conflict
Over half the world’s population now lives in cities. By 2050 this number will reach almost 70 percent. This process of urbanization and the accompanying changes to population structure and composition are altering socio-economic and political relations in important ways. While generating considerable opportunities, these transitions can also create significant challenges. Focusing on the city as a site, and urbanisation and population change as processes, the Cities and Populations research group at PRIO seeks to understand how these places and processes can affect livelihoods of citizens, shape social, economic, and political outcomes, and create conditions for peace and conflict.
The Cities and Populations research group takes a multi-disciplinary perspective, deliberately engaging researchers using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
It is vital that an understanding of the dynamics of urbanization and population change is incorporated into future peace research. While civil wars are on the decline, interpersonal and criminal violence in cites has been increasing. Similarly, demographic changes can alter social relations in cities, and displacement into urban areas due to conflict or environmental degradation may challenge inclusion and stability. Despite these challenges, cities are places of profound opportunity, and it is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of how individuals and governments negotiate risks and opportunities in order to work towards a secure urban future.
PRIO's Gudrun Østby beat out fierce competition to become one of the first researchers to join the newly established Young Academy of Norway.
Kristian Hoelscher succesfully defended his PhD thesis at the Department of Political Science, University of Oslo.
In April, 800 hundred million people began casting their ballots all across India in the largest election the world has ever seen.
On Youth Bulges and State Repression
Ragnhild Nordås (PRIO) and Christian Davenport (University of Michigan) have published the article "Fight the Youth: Youth Bulges and State Repression".
New research project
A new edited volume on civil war and fragile states has just been published by Edward Elgar.
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Kristian Hoelscher
Research Director