Elmond Bandauko

Elmond Bandauko is a Postdoctoral Associate in Just and Equitable Cities at the Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities. Elmond is an interdisciplinary urban scholar whose research revolves around three themes: (i) urban informality, (ii) urban inclusion and exclusion, and (iii) built environment and quality of life (including issues such as sense of place, sense of community, etc.). His research has been funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the International Journal of Urban and Regional Research (IJURR) Foundation.

Elmond completed his Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. His doctoral research focused on urban governance and the spatial politics of street traders in Harare, Zimbabwe. He also obtained a Master of Public Administration (MPA), focusing on local government from the same University, as well as a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Rural and Urban Planning from the University of Zimbabwe. Before starting his doctoral studies, Elmond worked as a Research Associate with the Development Governance Institute (DEGI), a development research and consulting firm based in Harare. He supported various projects in this role, including slum upgrading, migrants on the margins, gender-responsive budgeting, and local economic development. 

At the international level, Elmond has contributed to the UN-Habitat World Cities Reports (WCR), including chapters on urban poverty and inequality and resilient urban economies for the 2022 version. For the 2024 WRC, Elmond contributed a chapter on climate action and vulnerable urban populations. He is passionate about interdisciplinary, participatory, and action-oriented research that supports the building of just, inclusive, and equitable cities.

Academic Research/Specialty Areas

  • Urban informality (slums and informal economies)
  • Urban inclusion and exclusion
  • Built environment and quality of life
  • Urban transformation

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Publications (Selected)

  • Finn, B, M & Bandauko, E. "Dwindling funds and increased responsibilities: Decentralization, unfunded mandates, and Harare's infrastructure crisis," Habitat International, 148, 103087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2024.103087 (2024)
  • Bandauko, E, Baiden, P, Arku, G, Nyantakyi Frimpong, H, Kutor, S, K & Akyea, T. "Sense of Community (SOC) in gated urban neighborhoods: Empirical insights from Accra, Ghana," Journal of Urban Affairs. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2024.2341901 (2024)
  • Bandauko, E & Arku, R, N. "Prefigurative urbanization: housing cooperatives, social movements, and the urban transformation question in Harare (Zimbabwe)," Urban Research & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/17535069.2023.2272911 (2023)
  • Bandauko, E & Arku, R, N. "Exploring the Rationalization, Functional Integration and Socio-spatial Implications of Zimbabwe's New Capital City (NCC)," Journal of Urban Affairs, 45(3), 441-460. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2022.2150197 (2023) 
  • Bandauko, E, Bipasha, B & Arku, G. "Gender and appropriation of public space in Harare's contested central city area," Gender, Place & Culture: A Journal of Feminist Geography. https://doi.org.10.1080/0966369X.2023.2294258 (2023) 
  • Bandauko, E, Kutor, S, K & Arku, R, N. "Trapped or not trapped? An empirical investigation into the lived experiences of the urban poor in Harare's selected informal settlements," African Geographical Review, 42(5): 574-593. https://doi.org/10.1080/19376812.2022.2077781 (2023)
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