“The unwavering bond”: examining the sense of place in Harare’s informal urban neighbourhoods

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the sense of place in Hopley and Hatcliffe Extension, the largest informal neighbourhoods in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study draws from insights gained through focus group discussions with selected participants from these two communities. Contrary to conventional beliefs, we contend that residents of these neighbourhoods, despite enduring significant deprivation, exhibit a profound emotional connection to their neighbourhoods. These emotional ties stem from a collective sense of solidarity forged through shared experiences of socio-spatial exclusion. Our empirical findings challenge the prevailing assumptions about the sense of place in marginalised neighbourhoods, where such areas are typically perceived as having a diminished sense of place. This study contributes to the scholarly discourse on sense of place in disadvantaged neighbourhoods – a relatively understudied subject, particularly in Global South cities. These findings hold significant implications for urban planning policies on a global scale, especially those directed at informal settlements.