Project report
Urban Neighbourhood Dynamics and the Worst Forms of Child Labour
Eric Kasper ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This report develops a conceptual framework for understanding the worst forms of child labour (WFCL) in cities. It draws on literature about how urban systems work, including the urban land nexus, urban complexity, informality and inclusive urbanisation. It also reviews studies of child labour in urban settings, focusing on the worst forms where possible. The report sets out the starting points for a research agenda on responding to WFCL in cities. It was written with the cities and neighbourhoods of the CLARISSA programme in mind, but the authors say it should be useful more widely.
Key points
- WFCL is not only an urban phenomenon, but evidence suggests it emerges in cities in unique ways.
- The complex structures and dynamics of urban systems shape how WFCL emerges.
- The report integrates literature on urban systems with evidence on urban WFCL into a conceptual framework.
- It outlines the premises of a research agenda for responding to WFCL in cities.
- It was prepared with the CLARISSA programme's cities and neighbourhoods in mind.
Limitations
The abstract does not name the specific countries or cities, and describes a literature review and conceptual framework rather than new data. It gives no findings on what interventions work.
Abstract
While the worst forms of child labour (WFCL) is not only an urban phenomenon, evidence suggests that WFCL emerges in cities in unique ways due to the complex structures and dynamics of urban systems. This report, therefore, develops a conceptual framework for WFCL in cities that integrates key understandings of urban systems and evidence about urban WFCL. This report reviews current literature on the complex systemic nature of cities – drawing on literature on the urban land nexus, urban complexity, informality, and inclusive urbanisation. It also reviews studies of child labour (focusing on the worst forms, where possible) in urban contexts. In this way, the report offers an innovative way of understanding the challenge of WFCL, and outlines the premises of a research agenda for responding to WFCL in cities. These contributions are made with the specific cities and neighbourhoods in mind where the CLARISSA programme is being implemented; however, they should be useful more generally.