African Centre for Cities and the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) collaborated to produce Africa 2063: How Cities Will Shape the Future of a Continent, edited by Edgar Pieterse and Tobia Zevi.
The last two decades have been marked by a profound turn-around in the perceptions of Africa, both within the continent and internationally. This change has been driven primarily by the exceptional economic growth in many parts of Africa, despite a slow-down and financial crisis about ten years ago. Renewed confidence among many African states is reflected in the Africa 2063 Agenda spearheaded by the African Union. This manifesto puts an important focus on the impressive urbanisation of Africa, one of the region’s major trends. In 2030 more than one billion Africans will be city-dwellers, while at least six cities will be inhabited by more than ten million citizens. What are the main challenges for African cities in terms of infrastructure, energy, housing, technology, and mobility? What role do governments play? Is it possible to manage this urbanisation wave in a sustainable manner, reducing the number of people living in informal settlements and slums?
This dossier contains seven commentaries on various aspects of urbanisation in African cities:
- Promoting Sustainable Infrastructure to Underpin African Urbanisation – Edgar Pieterse African Center for Cities
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The Infrastructural Dimensions of African Urbanization – Liza Rose Cirolia, African Center for Cities
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The Implications of Europe’s ‘Containment Development’ for African cities – Caroline Wanjiku Kihato, University of Johannesburg and Loren B. Landau, University of the Witwatersrand
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The Potential of National Urban Policies in Africa – Anton Cartwright, African Climate and Development Institute
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The Housing Challenge in African Cities – Kecia Rust, Center for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa