Mapping the Causes of Urban Violence

In this podcast episode, Radio-UF Trustee, Maja Bodnar and, Head of Radio, Isidore Brommare interview Assoc. Prof. Emma Elfversson on her research of urban violence. The discussion focuses on the main causes of urban violence and how individual “violence entrepreneurs” rally segments of the population to commit violent acts.

Negligent city planning, weak government institutions, rapid urbanisation, and underprivleged youths are raised as conducive to the phenomenon. Another discussed topic is how local leaders play a central role in resolving conflicts between groups, by utilising their high standing in the community. Elfversson also recounts the main challenges of mapping and tracking urban violence data when conducting her research on communal violence in Nairobi, Kenya.