African Urban Development

This lecture delves into the spatial development characteristics of African cities, analyzing factors such as low GDP per capita urbanization rates, high living costs, housing market dysfunctions, and urban fragmentation. It explores the challenges faced by African cities in terms of infrastructure planning, housing accessibility, and economic opportunities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions to address these issues. The discussion also highlights the potential for economic growth through urbanization, the importance of balancing centralization and decentralization in city management, and the lessons that African cities can offer in terms of innovative technologies, participatory planning, and professionalized governance. The lecture concludes by examining the replicability of successful urban models like Kigali in larger African cities and the strategies needed to tackle complex urban challenges effectively.