Mobilising Youth in Urban Politics and Sustaining Peace in the Diverse City

: Amman as a Case Study

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 Award	2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Coventry University
Supervisor	Chris Shannahan (Supervisor), Bahar Baser Ozturk (Supervisor), Elly Harrowell (Supervisor) & EJ Milne (Supervisor)