Expanding Circles: Social Cohesion in Peri-urban Viet Nam

Abstract

This thesis seeks to explore the theoretical relationship between the concepts of peri-urbanization and social cohesion. While these are both relatively popular themes in social and development studies, the relationship between the two has not been given enough attention. This thesis will be broken up into three main sections: a theoretical section, an analysis section, and a case study. The research takes the form of a literature review, scanning relevant information to gain a full understanding of the two topics and synthesize their relationship. This will be done by first breaking down the definitions and relevance of each topic in relation to development studies, then analysing examples of global understanding, implementations and policies in various contexts. Finally, to use a more specific and in-depth example, this thesis will subsequently look at peri-urbanization and social cohesion in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a country that has been experiencing rapid urban expansion including peri-urbanization all over the country for the last three and a half decades and dramatic social changes over the last century. Considering the three pillars of cohesion to be 1) social inclusion, 2) social mobility, and 3) social capital, this thesis finds that peri-urbanization has several different and complex effects on the multi-dimensional topic of cohesion, with some positive and some negative for various stakeholders. For instance, peri-urbanization generally leads to political fragmentation and exclusion, which hinders cohesion. It often brings economic growth, but not always inclusively and can instead exacerbate inequality. It also generally increases social capital and networks but may decrease the strength of ties. Different contexts of course see different processes, results, and changes. More empirical qualitative research is necessary for international development and social studies scholars as well as policy makers to understand cohesion in peri-urbanization. This thesis stresses that greater local political representation is necessary to bring in residents’ voices into the changes surrounding their own livelihoods and lifestyles.