City of desire—Tanzil Shafique seminar with InfUr

This presentation took place on WFriday 21st March 2025 with Tanzil Shafique.

Abstract: City of Desire by Tanzil Shafique is a portrait of the largest informal settlement in Bangladesh. It seeks to develop a Southern perspective on urban slums, challenging mainstream Western discourses. Shafique’s approach is rooted in a personal and thematic exploration of slum dwellers’ lived experiences, proposing new ways of understanding their struggles, aspirations, and how they have managed to design and build a city of 300,000. The book talk will provide an overview of the content, but also, will elaborate the experience of navigating the publication journey as an early career researcher. 

Tanzil Shafique is a Lecturer of Urban Design and Student Recruitment Lead at The University of Sheffield School of Architecture and Landscape. Previously, he taught at the University of Melbourne, Australia and the University of Arkansas, USA. Tanzil’s research looks at southern urbanism, pluriversal architectural practice and informal planning, particularly by climate change-impacted communities. He co-convenes the Platform for Just Housing (Najjyo Abashon Moncho or NAM) and justURBAN think-tank, working towards climate justice with local activists and citizens. Tanzil’s recent books include Atlas of Informal Settlements (Bloomsbury, 2024).  

Book can be downloaded here: https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?docid=b-9781350438637