Cities and towns are on the frontline of receiving and welcoming people who have been displaced. In the 20 articles on Cities and towns in this issue of FMR, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, representatives of cities and international city-focused alliances, and displaced people themselves debate the challenges facing both the urban authorities and their partners, and those who have sought refuge.
A number of authors explore new ways of working in urban settings – including area-based approaches, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and city-to-city collaboration – while others offer insights and inspiration from local responses and the perspectives of displaced and host communities. Other authors examine how camp management practices can be applied in urban settings, how resilience can be bolstered by improved communication and information sharing, and how municipal capacity and community dialogue can be strengthened to improve protection in high-risk neighbourhoods. The issue also draws out practical lessons for promoting inclusive climate action, negotiating contested authority, and encouraging urban planning that takes account of both displaced and host community needs.
We would like to thank Jeff Crisp (University of Oxford), Charles Simpson (Tufts University), Marcia Vera Espinoza (Queen Mary University of London) and Richard Williams (independent consultant/MigrationWork) for their assistance as advisors to the feature theme. We would also like to thank Cities of Refuge NWO VICI research project, Happold Foundation, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Tufts University Refugees in Towns project for their generous funding support for this particular issue of FMR.
Forthcoming feature themes in 2020:
- June: Trafficking and smuggling / Climate crisis and local communities (double feature)
- October: Recognising refugees (submission deadline 15th June)
With best wishes
Marion Couldrey and Jenny Peebles
Editors, Forced Migration Review