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Re-imagining African Urbanism
▲ Cape Town, South Africa, is often referred to as ‘Africa’s most liveable city’. © /Shutterstock
Harnessing Trends
CHAPTER ONE
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rofound sociocultural, economic and political changes accompany urbanization in Africa which, around 2035, for the first time will cause the larger share of political constituency to reside in cities. Broad themes identified on African urbanism relate to aspects of colonial aftermath; increasing informality; socio-political exclusion; urban governance and service provision; warfare, violence and disease; connectivity; and urban culture.109 Africa is transitioning towards a whole new socio-economic and political landscape through urbanization. But African urban residents are amongst the poorest in the world and lack opportunities for improvement. Urban infrastructures, services and land markets cannot absorb newcomers at present rates of urbanization. Urban unemployment levels are dangerously high, especially amongst youth. Improving the capacity of African cities to absorb population growth is one of the key challenges. Multiple considerations can be made in this regard, including:
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How should African cities negotiate the technological and infrastructure choices required to improve urban sustainability and liveability? What spatial patterns are most suitable for African cities in different regional contexts? How should resources and material flows be managed in and through African cities? How can liveable, safe and prosperous urban locales be developed within Africa? How can city development programmes alleviate urban youth poverty? How can African cities embrace social-, cultural- and economic pluralism and benefit from diversity and diversification? How can landlocked African cities improve their access to trade routes and the sea? How can migration be leveraged to improve the skills and labour bases of African cities?