Abstract:  Today, in many parts of the world, local urban communities are forced to self‐organise in response to the neoliberal restructuring of the state with its emphasis on privatisation, deregulation, and austerity that has hollowed out welfare provisions, leading to urban fragmentation. This article tells two stories of seemingly disconnected places, which, upon closer scrutiny, bear similarities regarding the ways in which neoliberalism and conflicts unfold in urban space: Favela da Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro, and humanitarian activism across various regions in Russia. It discusses the communicative processes through which collectivities are formed and strengthened in situations of constant instability. The discussion systematises analytical insights and empirical findings from on‐site visits and interviews. Our analysis demonstrates that these groups enact solidarity as a communicative practice strengthened by place‐based relations. In these contexts, collective action that at a macro level has a political meaning gains a practical and affective significance for individuals engaged in it.

Keywords:  Brazil; communicative ecologies; communicative solidarity; humanitarian activism; marginalization; Russia; shadow care infrastructure; urban activism

Published:   24 June 2026

Issue:   Vol 11 (2026): Urban Futures in Times of Disruption (In Progress)