DOI participates in 10th International Comparative Urban Law Conference

Mr Curtly Stevens and Dr Johandri Wright participated at the 10th International Comparative Urban Law Conference in London that was held during 18, 19 and 20 July 2024. The conference was hosted by the Fordham Urban Law Centre.

Mr. Stevens presented a paper titled "(Over)regulation of Local Government in South Africa: Myth or Reality?" In this paper, he explored whether cities in South Africa are subjected to overregulation and its impact on governance. This is not a new phenomenon in South Africa, and as explained by some of the participants at the Urban Law Conference, it is not unique to South Africa, indicating that it is more widespread than initially thought.

Dr Johandri Wright co-presented with Dr Rongedzayi Fambasayi on how South African cities' governance can be improved to progressively realise the right of water to children. The paper showed that childrens' right to water is vital for many other childrens' rights, but is often neglected as a priority in South African policy. Some of the recommendations included improving child-headed households' access to indigent support. The paper is was titled "Governing (Cities) for the Progressive Realisation of the Right to Water: A Plight of Children in South Africa".