We are looking for collaborator storytellers 

We are looking for writers, photographers,, videographers and other creative expression that further CCS’s goals.  CCS hosts a niche publication that deals primarily with local cultural policy (its processes and practise) and its connection to the urban, with a strong focus on sustainability understood broadly to include issues of the social, economic, environmental/spatial and cultural in itself.  It has a strong focus on cultural rights and its links to social and environmental justice.

CCS is a purely voluntary initiative and as yet has no income generation, therefore all content is shared on the blog on an unpaid based.   The content however remains yours.   The blog aims to foster a community of practise for those looking to advance this new field.  

Why does the project exist?

..for a postcolonial urban geography to aspire to significant breaks with the prescribed script, the first step would be for the once colonised to claim ‘the freedom of imagination’ in a contested field of power to imagine our cities differently

Brenda Yeoh (2000)

Because of the paucity of writing on the global south, and the specific issues around its context, the site  promotes stories about cities based in what is sometimes called the "developing world". We challenge the discourses of underdevelopment that mask complex histories and contemporary challenges.  These challenges, its argued, stem from centuries of colonial exploitation: the willful abuse of societies, economies,  environments and cultural lives of those who had lived and prospered in localities of the South for centuries. The impact of this exploitation has been compounded by the more recent liberalization of economies since the 80s, which has been disastrous for many of these already damaged areas.

While it recognizes that there are challenges faced by many of these cities of the South by repressive national regimes/policies and/or corrupt practices, this is not the sum total of the global South.  Our storytelling recognizes the cultural dynamism, creative diversity and cosmopolitan energy of many countries of the South are ripe with creativity and innovation.  This is often because of the deep histories of countries in the South.  The site seeks to further the potentialities, while recognising the challenges that may limit.  By sharing reflective and insightful pieces about processes and practises in the global South that seek to bring about better, more inclusive, productive, democratic cities, the site therefore aims to further a more proactive agenda of urban change.    

Who are our audience

The site currently attracts a readership of roughly 600 views a month from all over the world. Crrently, there is a large South Africa based audience due to the content.  We also get a high percentage of readers from places which have been covered by the site to date - Indonesia and Philippines - as well as readers from USA and Europe.  The latter appear to be researchers, policy makers and practitioners. 

What we require from storytellers

For writing we are looking for articles between 800 - 1200 words, with at least 6 good illustrative images, with relevant captions and credits.

The article could cover the following 

  • the context of the project 

  • the “problem” the project was addressing 

  • a description of the project

  • what was the process of making the project

  • what was the outcome 

  • what was learnt and can be shared with the readers  

To help the reader, the article is often hyperlinked to other sources so that people can read more if they interested. These can be to further the readers knowledge on concepts used, or be links to media pieces or research work. Contributors would need to provide these links.

Creative City South volunteers will load the article, edit as necessary and post links on the various social media platforms at our disposal - Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Google+ and, where relevant, Instagram and You Tube. 

The articles are usually posted every second Thursday 6.30 GMT.  We ask that contributors use all the social media platforms they have available to cross post - thereby spreading our reach.  Every quarter a newsletter is sent to subscribers. 

Other Contributions 

We are open to receiving contributions, or ideas for contributions, that may be in the form of graphics or illustrations, photographs, videos and the like. We also have a presence on Instagram and Youtube.

Disclaimer

We reserve the right to reject contributions that do not fit the blog's key intents and ethos.

Please contact us if you are interested in contributing and we can discuss concepts and deadlines.