Mobilising Youth in Urban Politics and Sustaining Peace in the Diverse City
: Amman as a Case Study

  • Rana Aytug

    Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

    Abstract

    This thesis demonstrates that mobilising youth in urban politics and activating the urban public
    space are interdependent concepts that can contribute to processes of sustaining peace in the
    diverse city. This thesis argues that mobilising youth in urban politics is integral for activating
    the public space; which entails enabling the conditions (through inclusive urban governance)
    for encounters in public space that can contribute to building social relations across
    intersectional identities. As such, this thesis affirms that activating the public is akin to claiming
    the right to the city. Young people are frequently marginalised from fulfilling their political
    will and role as partners in urban governance. To that end, this research has focused on youth
    mobilisation in urban politics for sustaining peace in the diverse city and it is driven by three
    key aims.
    First, this research recognises that the bodies of literature investigating urban diversity,
    youth mobilisation in urban politics and sustaining peace generally run in parallel to each other.
    Therefore, this multi-disciplinary research aims to bridge scholarship surrounding concepts of
    urban diversity which include intersectionality, geographies of encounter and the right to the
    city through the lens of youth mobilisation and sustaining peace. Second, it recognises youth
    as partners in building an inclusive city and as such, it examines the challenges and opportunities
    for the inclusion of youth in urban governance. Lastly, this study aims to contribute to
    advancing inclusive youth and urban policies and practices.
    To realise these aims the city of Amman was chosen as a case study for this research,
    considering its strategic geopolitical significance which has been shaped by its diverse
    demographic and youthful population. Primary data was collected through interviews with
    public officials and young people living in Amman (within the 18-35 age group) in the form of
    semi-structured interviews, walking interviews and focus group discussions. Collectively, these
    research methods have revealed transferable insights through an exploration of challenges and
    opportunities for inclusive urban governance as well as an understanding of the social worlds
    of young people around issues of living with diversity, sustaining peace in the city and youth
    participation in urban politics.
    Date of Award2021
    Original languageEnglish
    Awarding Institution
    • Coventry University
    SupervisorChris Shannahan (Supervisor), Bahar Baser Ozturk (Supervisor), Elly Harrowell (Supervisor) & EJ Milne (Supervisor)

    Cite this

    '