Navigating Urban Planning and Management in Africa: A Contemporary Perspective on Politics, Environment, and Climate Change

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6549/15409

Keywords:

urban planning and development, sustainable development, climate change, environmental policy, climate risilience, politics and governance

Abstract

In contemporary Africa, urban planning and management are undergoing profound changes, shaped by the interplay of politics, environmental concerns, and the pressing issue of climate change. This article explores the evolving landscape of urban development in Africa, highlighting the pivotal role of political agendas, environmental policies, and the imperative to address climate change. It emphasises the synergy between urban planning and management as the linchpin for sustainable, climate-resilient cities. Using South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nigeria as case studies, this article elucidates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

References

African Union. 2015. Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. African Union.

Alem Gebregiorgis, G., A. H. Namangaya, S. Greiving, and W. J. Kombe. 2022. “Planning Cities in Africa: Current Issues and Future Prospects of Urban Governance and Planning: An Introduction.” In Planning Cities in Africa. The Urban Book Series, edited by G. Alem Gebregiorgis, S. Greiving, A. H. Namangaya, and W. J. Kombe. Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06550-7_1

Babasanya, A. O., A. G. Ogunlye, and O. O. Ogunyomi. 2017. “Human Capital Development as a Catalyst for Environment Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A VECM Approach.” Journal of Economics and Policy Analysis 2 (2): 200–219.

Chanza, Nelson, and Veronica Jakarasi. 2020. “Deciphering the Climate Change Conundrum in Zimbabwe: An Exposition.” 10.5772/intechopen.84443.

Chirisa, Innocent. 2009. “Informality, Deceit and the Conscience: A Survey on Ethical Dilemmas in Harare.” Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 11: 257–280.

City of Cape Town (South Africa). 2018. Five-year Integrated Development Plan, July 2017-June 2022, as amended for 2018/19. Cape Town: City of Cape Town.

Echendu, A. J. and P. C. C. Okafor. 2021. “Smart City Technology: A Potential Solution to Africa’s Growing Population and Rapid Urbanization?” Development Studies Research 8 (1): 82–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/21665095.2021.1894963

El-bouayady, Rachida, and Hassan Radoine. 2023. “Urbanization and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development in Africa.” Environment and Ecology Research 11: 385–391. https://doi.org/10.13189/eer.2023.110212

Goodfellow, Tom. 2013. “Urban Planning in Africa and the Politics of Implementation: Contrasting Patterns of State Intervention in Kampala and Kigali.” Living the City in Africa: Processes of Invention and Intervention, 45–61.

Horn, Philipp, Joseph Kimani, Jack Makau, and Patrick Njoroge. 2020. “Scaling Participation in Informal Settlement Upgrading: A Documentation of Community Mobilisation and Consultation Processes in the Mukuru Special Planning Area, Nairobi, Kenya.” https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.10636.54407

Kamete, A. Y. 1997. “Formal Private Sector Housing Finance Institutions and Low-income Groups in Zimbabwe: Peculiar Requirements, Operations and Realities.” Journal of Social Development in Africa 12: 83–91.

Kenawy, Inji and Ahmed Ehab Abdelsalam. 2015. Community Participation as a Gate to New Egyptian Society.

Koigi, B. 2021. “Green City Kigali: Inside Africa’s First Sustainable City.” Accessed May 25, 2024. https://www.fairplanet.org/story/green-city-kigali-inside-africas-first-sustainable-city/

Lewis, J. I. 2014. “When Decentralization Leads to Recentralization: Subnational State Transformation in Uganda.” Regional and Federal Studies 24 (5): 571–588. https://doi.org/10.1080/13597566.2014.971771

Mitlin, D. 2008. “With and Beyond the State: Co-production as a Route to Political Influence, Power and Transformation for Grassroots Organizations.” Environment and Urbanization 20 (2): 339–360. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247808096117

Moreno, E. L. et al. 2016. Urbanization and Development: Emerging Futures: World Cities Report 2016. Nairobi, Kenya: UN Habitat.

Nairobi City County. 2018. “Integrated Development Plan 2018–2022.” County Government of Nairobi. Accessed September 25, 2023. http://196.202.210.190:8090/handle/123456789/2019

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). 2024. “Zimbabwe: Drought Flash Appeal,” May 2024–April 2025. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Accessed May 28, 2024. https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/zimbabwe/zimbabwe-drought-flash-appeal-may-2024-april-2025-may-2024

Seekings, Jeremy. 2000. “Introduction: Urban Studies in South Africa after Apartheid.” International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 24: 832–840. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2427.00281

Shack Dwellers Namibia. 2019. “Gobabis Informal Settlement Upgrading Freedom Square, Gobabis: Planning with the Community and not for the Community.” Namibia Housing Action Group and Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia. https://www.shackdwellersnamibia.com/assets/img/other%20reports/informal%20settlement%20upgrading.pdf

This Day. 2022. “Sustainable Campaign for Clean Air in Lagos Communities.” Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/09/05/sustainable-campaign-for-clean-air-in-lagos-communities#

Trisos, C. H., I.O. Adelekan, E. Totin, A. Ayanlade, J. Efitre, A. Gemeda, K. Kalaba, C. Lennard, C. Masao, Y. Mgaya, G. Ngaruiya, D. Olago, N.P. Simpson, and S. Zakieldeen, 2022. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, 1285–1455. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844.011

UNDP. 2018. “Climate Change Adaptation in Africa: UNDP Synthesis of Experiences and Recommendations.” United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

UN-Habitat. 2015. “Sustainable Urban Development in Africa: The Africa Urban Agenda.” United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

United Nations. 2023. “The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 (Special Edition): Towards a Rescue Plan for People and Planet.” United Nations Publications. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2023.pdf

World Bank 2022. Inequality in Southern Africa: An Assessment of the Southern African Customs Union. The World Bank.

Published

2024-07-24

How to Cite

Kasusu, Tendai, and Natalia Chikweshe. “Navigating Urban Planning and Management in Africa: A Contemporary Perspective on Politics, Environment, and Climate Change”. Commonwealth Youth and Development, 25 pages . https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6549/15409.

Issue

Section

Articles
Received 2023-11-21
Accepted 2024-05-30
Published 2024-07-24