European colonialism, development and urbanization. Its legacy and path dependency patterns in post-colonial countries

From a pluridisciplinary perspective and based mainly on the historicalinstitutional approach, the current research explores how colonialism has (re)shapedsociety, the economic developments and the urbanisation of the Global South, aswell as its legacy. The extractive, settler, commercial and assimilationist/ missionarycolonial models are comparatively approached, considering the great colonialpowers (mainly French, British, Belgian, Portuguese), and with an emphasis on theissues of path dependence and inequalities. The paper highlights the duality ofcolonialism’s consequences: promoting economic development and urbanization,while reinforcing socio-spatial segregation, institutional weaknesses andenvironmental injustice. The subject is extremely relevant from the perspective ofthe dependence theories in international relations, which explain theunderdevelopment of the former colonial countries from the Global South throughthe long term impact of the various forms of exploitation and domination by theGlobal North. Understanding these legacies and conditionalities is essential foradopting more effective growth strategies and evidence-based policies inaccelerating the development of the global South, reducing North-South inequalitiesand adopting urbanization models in line with new approaches focused onsustainability, inclusivity and liveability.