What Can African Cities Learn from South America?

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Recent news headlines from the African continent show a variety of urgent issues affecting urban centers: severe flooding threatens Kenya's capital, Nairobi; the light rail system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is faltering after a successful start. Meanwhile, in Egypt's capital, Cairo, new infrastructure and housing expenditures proved too steep and necessitated a government bailout. African cities face a plethora of problems but they also hold the potential to improve countless lives. As South America shares stark similarities in its history with that of Africa, it could provide both a point of reference and a positive example for tackling these concerns at an urban level.

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What is the problem here, and why is it significant? The continent of Africa has the youngest population worldwide. Whilst 14% of humanity resides on the continent, this figure is expected to rise to 28% in about thirty years’ time. The vast majority of the world’s population growth is going to happen in Africa and Asia. Africa is also rapidly urbanizing, with its current urban population of 43% expected to rise to over 60% in the same period. On a global scale, African cities are becoming the new frontier in elevating the human development of millions, an opportunity to increase productivity and living standards. Goal 11 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals seeks cities that are “inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. Evidence elsewhere has shown that city growth triggers economies of scale and knowledge spread, thereby boosting productivity. However, not all African cities are maximizing the benefits of rapid urbanization and reducing poverty. Thus, 60% of African urban dwellers live in informal settlements, facing problems such as poor housing, isolation from job opportunities, flood risk as well as lack of public space.

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Cite: Mohieldin Gamal. "What Can African Cities Learn from South America?" 06 Aug 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1018508/what-can-african-cities-learn-from-south-america> ISSN 0719-8884

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