Spotlight on: Energy in Cities

Powering Africa’s Future: Leading the Energy Transition with Covenant of Mayors (CoM SSA)

By |2023-04-04T12:52:23+02:00April 4th 2023|Climate Change & Resilience, Municipal & Climate Finance, , , , |

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.

Spotlight on: Just Transition

Trading to Eat: How The Informal Economy is Hunger-Proofing Africa’s Cities

By |2023-02-20T14:30:47+01:00January 31st 2023|Decent Work, Economic Development, Youth & Gender, , , |

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.

Spotlight on: Risk and Crisis Management

Health Implications of Urban Heat and Air Pollution & Resilience Planning for African Cities

By |2022-10-11T11:40:42+02:00October 11th 2022|Urban Health, , , , |

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.

Spotlight on: Urban Health

Urban Green Spaces’ (UGS) Potential in Residents’ Wellbeing in Rapidly Urbanising Cities in Africa: Prospects for Planning

By |2022-09-13T10:21:48+02:00September 13th 2022|Urban & Metropolitan Governance, Urban Health, , , , , |

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

Spotlight on: Urban Health

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety Through Effective Pedestrian-friendly Infrastructure in African Cities

By |2022-10-11T12:37:06+02:00September 8th 2022|Urban & Metropolitan Governance, Urban Mobility, , , , , |

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.

SPOTLIGHT ON: LIVEABLE CITES

Conceptualising The Liveable African City

By |2022-05-03T11:28:38+02:00May 3rd 2022|Global Urban Debates, Housing & Informality, , , , , |

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.

How the Pandemic Can Teach Us to Leave No Child Behind

By |2022-01-13T12:22:59+01:00January 13th 2022|Smart & Digital Development, Youth & Gender, , , , |

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.

Strengthening Urban-Rural Linkages in Kenya for Increased Resilience

By |2021-11-10T09:13:31+01:00November 2nd 2021|Climate Change & Resilience, Green & Smart Development, , , |

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.

Urban Safety and Good Urban Governance: Examples from Kinshasa

By |2021-09-16T11:13:32+02:00September 16th 2021|Urban & Metropolitan Governance, Youth & Gender, , , , |

"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.

What is Next for Cities and Climate? Three Established Strategies for Advancing Climate Collaborations

By |2021-05-27T08:15:25+02:00May 27th 2021|Global Urban Debates, Multi Stakeholder Partnerships, , , , |

With climate change impacts intensifying in the coming years, governmental action is now needed more than ever. Paola Adriázola introduces proven collaborative strategies for municipalities and regions around the world.

Spatial Fragmentation in Nairobi City; the Elephant in the Room

By |2021-04-29T10:41:05+02:00April 29th 2021|Urban & Metropolitan Governance, , , , |

Nairobi is recognised to be among the rapidly urbanising and growing economies in East and Central Africa. Eunice Jimmy reviews the city's spatial, economic, and social structure, uncovering its dual nature of formal/informal, planned/unplanned, and connected/disconnected fragments, hence Nairobi's spatial fragmentation.

Citizen Participation for Urban Transport Planning

By |2021-04-06T10:49:11+02:00April 6th 2021|Urban Health, Urban Mobility, , , , , |

Meelan Thondoo showcases how citizen participation in cities of low-and-middle income countries can contribute to sustainable urban transport policies and better urban living.

Land Rights in Africa Are About People, Not Paperwork

By |2021-03-02T15:31:23+01:00March 2nd 2021|Governance & Finance, , , , |

As part of the Prindex global dataset, people in 34 sub-Saharan countries were asked about their feelings of security or fear regarding possible eviction. Dr Ibrahima Ka and Cynthia Berning share intriguing findings.

Planning for Growth: How to Manage Rapid Urbanisation

By |2021-02-18T09:28:51+01:00February 18th 2021|Urban & Metropolitan Governance, , , , |

Rapid urbanisation is leading to quick spatial expansion in cities across Africa – but cities are largely failing to manage this growth. Urban expansion planning is a tested and pragmatic strategy that cities can use to organise their urban peripheries. By Patrick Lamson-Hall

What We Build Today Will Form the Africa and Africans of Tomorrow

By |2021-02-04T08:47:07+01:00February 4th 2021|Basic Infrastructure & Housing, , , , |

Green buildings are a crucial part of fighting climate change. Elizabeth Wangeci Chege from the Kenya Green Building Society explores which measures help to achieve sustainable building and construction in Kenya.

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