“A house for all” is a promise made by the South African government, which has not yet been fulfilled. Annette May, of Isandla Institute, highlights this ongoing struggle and advocates for policy reform to address systemic challenges in housing delivery.
Vertical gardens combat plastic pollution and urban heat, offering sustainable solutions for low-income areas. Olumuyiwa Adegun showcases two prototypes that have the potential to transform urban landscapes and prove sustainable housing does not need to be expensive or high-tech.
Zimbabwe's informal settlements find empowerment through grassroots initiatives. From housing savings to inclusive infrastructure, Teurai Anna Nyamangara showcases how community mobilisation leads to social protection and resilience.
How can local communities and governments work together to foster a sustainable future in Africa's food systems? Luke Metelerkamp explores how municipal fresh produce markets, vital for many informal workers, actively tackle food waste, reach organic waste targets, and embrace low-emission technologies.
Following a visit to Bogota, Ulrich C. Tokam imparts invaluable insights for a transportation revolution in African cities.
In Africa, gender-specific mobility needs are rarely considered in public transport due to a lack of data. Ariadne Baskin on the need to establish a more feminist transport system.
CoM SSA supports cities to access clean and resilient energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce costs and boost employment. The best part: these cities do not need their own investment.
In many African cities, informal food traders sell everything from fresh produce to fried chicken feet at affordable prices to people who need the food most. Luke Metelerkamp is convinced: informal trading is hunger-proofing Africa's cities, arguably providing the continent's largest nutritional safety net.
Urban heat and air pollution in the built environment are interlinked and contribute to increased negative health impacts among urban dwellers. Sharon Onyango highlights the connection between these three factors within the transport sector developments in Africa, providing various urban planning strategies for mitigation to improve human health and wellbeing.
Urban green spaces (UGS) serve as an important natural resource for cities. They provide a variety of social, economic and environmental benefits which enhance the health and well-being of urban dwellers and the overall sustainability of cities. This article by Romanus Opiyo reflects on the benefits of urban green spaces and the opportunities for the deliberate provision of such areas through urban planning interventions given the improved well-being and health aspects associated with the UGS
It is the responsibility of both the national and municipal governments to assure pedestrian safety, which is a fundamental human right. In this brief article, Louis Kusi Frimpong addresses the relationship between a lack of pedestrian infrastructure and health outcomes, as well as some pedestrian infrastructure required to enhance pedestrian safety on roads in Africa.
What does liveability mean from an African cities' perspective and how do we get there? Taibat Lawanson presents an unconventional and compelling take on this question.
While online learning may not be the panacea for problems caused and amplified by COVID-19, it’s certainly a great place to start, writes Lindiwe Matlali, Founder and CEO of Africa Teen Geeks.
Country-wide sustainable solutions can be assured only if regional connectivity and urban-rural linkages that support livelihoods in rural communities, towns, and smaller cities are considered alongside urban and regional growth strategies. Vassiliki Kravva and Ben Smith present an example from the UK-funded Sustainable Urban Economic Programme (SUED) in Kenya.
"Kulunas" – youth gangs – have been part of Kinshasa's neighbourhoods for two decades. Marc-André Lagrange and Thierry Vircoulon analyse their origins and why their ever more violent repression is not going to increase safety in Kinshasa.
