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Globally, there are 2 billion workers in the informal economy, and over 1 billion people live in informal settlements ('slums'). Many city dwellers also utilise informal (unregulated) providers to access land, infrastructure, and services. Although academic and policy-oriented studies have recently proliferated, there is a need for comparative, interdisciplinary understanding of urban informality.

On Thursday 12^th September, we invite urban researchers and practitioners to join us at the University of Sheffield, where we aim to spark further research, networking, and collaboration. All events will be held at the ICOSS Building, University of Sheffield, S1 4DP.

• 3-4pm Keynote addresses by Professors Diana Mitlin (University of Manchester) and Alison Brown (Cardiff University) will discuss past trajectories and new directions of urban informality research.
• 4-5.30pm Book launch: Authors Melanie Lombard and Philipp Horn will discuss their book Urban Informality: An Introduction(Bristol University Press). Additionally, Nikhilesh Sinha and Colin Marx will share insights from their edited book Urban Informality and the Built Environment: Infrastructure, Exchange and Image(UCL Press). Moderated by Tanzil Shafique (Sheffield).
• 5.30-6pm Reception with refreshments provided

Sponsored by the Development Studies Association (DSA), European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), Institute for Global Sustainable Development (University of Sheffield), and University of Manchester.

For further information, please email alice.sverdlik(at)manchester.ac.uk, m.manara(at)sheffield.ac.uk and Graeme.Young.2(at)glasgow.ac.uk