Young Cities

Obstructed Paths into Adulthood: Challenging the Hindrances to Young People’s Lives in African Cities

By |2024-08-20T12:29:10+02:00August 20th 2024|Gender and Inequalities|

In African cities, young people struggle with limited opportunities and systemic failures. How can cities overcome these barriers to secure their future? By Elizabeth Dessie

Affordable Housing

Advancing the Right to Housing Through Self-Build

By |2024-04-30T16:03:16+02:00April 18th 2024|Housing and Construction|

“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.

Affordable Housing

Vertical Gardens Combat Climate Change Within African Cities

By |2024-04-30T16:03:51+02:00April 9th 2024|Housing and Construction|

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.

Informality and Social Protection

Community Mobilisation Drives Social Protection and Resilience in Zimbabwean Informal Settlements

By |2024-02-27T09:24:40+01:00February 1st 2024|Gender and Inequalities, Resilient Cities and Climate|

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.

Informality and Social Protection

Local Solutions, Global Impact: Municipal Markets and Climate Action

By |2024-01-23T18:40:13+01:00January 23rd 2024|Resilient Cities and Climate|

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.

Public Spaces and Integrated Planning

Making Active Mobility and Public Transport a Winning Combination in African Cities: Inspirations from My Trip to Bogota

By |2023-11-08T15:06:56+01:00September 12th 2023|Sustainable Infrastructure|

Following a visit to Bogota, Ulrich C. Tokam imparts invaluable insights for a transportation revolution in African cities.

Inequality in Cities

The Power of Data – Making Transport Systems in Africa More Equitable

By |2023-11-08T15:29:17+01:00July 25th 2023|Integrated Planning|

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.

Energy in Cities

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

By |2024-01-04T16:41:43+01:00April 4th 2023|Finance, Resilient Cities and Climate|

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.

Just Transition

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

By |2024-01-05T12:48:12+01:00January 31st 2023|Gender and Inequalities, Integrated Planning|

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.

Risk and Crisis Management

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

By |2024-01-04T16:39:08+01:00October 11th 2022|Resilient Cities and Climate|

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 Health

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

By |2024-01-04T16:22:23+01:00September 13th 2022|Good Governance, Resilient Cities and Climate|

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

Urban Health

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

By |2024-01-04T16:22:41+01:00September 8th 2022|Good Governance, Sustainable Infrastructure|

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.

How the Pandemic Can Teach Us to Leave No Child Behind

By |2024-01-04T15:38:44+01:00January 13th 2022|Gender and Inequalities, Good Governance|

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 |2024-01-04T15:13:43+01:00November 2nd 2021|Good Governance, Resilient Cities and Climate|

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.

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