An urban theory of the 'global south' rejects the northern experience of urbanisation as the primary articulation of global urbanism and promotes the development of new paradigms and methodologies for the study of southern urbanism. Emerging theories on southern urbanism destabilise and decentre geographies of knowledge by 'provincializing' hegemonic urban theory. Cities across the 'global south' are developing in ways that challenge predominant theories and models of urban policy and planning. Therefore, the task we face is to develop a methodological repertoire to better understand the emergence of new place-making politics. To this end, the aims of this study are i) to challenge urban theory by identifying lacunas in analyses of southern urbanism; ii) to elaborate, trial and evaluate a research agenda built around 'cityness' to inform an urban theory of the 'global south.' The methodology is structured around an examination of the masterplans of the case study city (Dakar, Senegal) and a field-based analysis of (two) spaces in the city. By working with scale, the analysis arrives at a better understanding of 'cityness' and the various forces shaping the urban fabric of the city.