Reframing the Urban Challenge in Africa: Knowledge Co-production from the South

This book explores the changing dynamics and challenges of Africas urban population, highlighting the regional diversity and heterogeneity of African cities and the need for empirical evidence to manage them effectively.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The rapid growth of Africa's urban population is a complex phenomenon that presents both opportunities and challenges. This book delves into the changing dynamics and obstacles that shape this urban transformation, shedding light on the diverse experiences and perspectives of cities across the continent.

With the world's fastest-growing urban population, Africa is rapidly transitioning from a predominantly rural to a predominantly urban landscape. This shift brings with it a range of challenges, including limited budgets, escalating environmental hazards, and the expansion of informal settlements.

To address these challenges, city managers and policymakers in Africa require empirical evidence on the nature of infrastructure demands, the impact of environmental hazards, and the dynamics of informal settlements. This book serves as a valuable resource in this regard, drawing on the work of the African Urban Research Initiative and showcasing contributions from local researchers who investigate key themes and challenges within their own contexts.

One of the key insights of this book is the regional diversity that characterizes African urbanism. While there are common trends and challenges across the continent, cities in different regions exhibit unique characteristics and face distinct challenges. For example, concepts such as informality manifest in markedly different ways from place to place, reflecting the diverse cultural, social, and economic contexts of African cities.

This book provides an important nuanced perspective on the heterogeneity of African cities and the challenges they face. It will be of interest to researchers across development studies, African studies, and urban studies, as it offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between urbanization, governance, and social change in Africa.

The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781003008385, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license. This allows for wide dissemination and reuse of the content, ensuring that the knowledge and insights contained within it can reach a broader audience and contribute to the ongoing debate on African urban development.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367694647