The Problems of Urbanization in Africa

Samuel Darkwah, Ph.D

Shift from a rural to an urban society, and involves an increase in the number of people in urban areas

Year 1990 2010 2025 %Growth (‘90-’25)

Sub-Saharan Africa

527 937 1362 258%

Urban Population 149 387 705 473%

Urban % of Total 28% 41% 52%

More than 70 per cent of the populations of Europe, North America and Latin America are already urban.

Urbanization in Africa and Asia are 39 and 41 per cent

Total population -increase from 794 million in 2000 to 1.489 billion in 2030.

About 70 percent of this growth will take place in African cities and towns.

Urban population is projected to more than double, from 295 million in 2000 to 748 million by 2030

Within 25 years, Africa’s urban population will be larger than that in North America, Europe, or Latin America.

Contributes to about 60% of GDP Serve as centres of technology generation and knowledge transfer -industrialization

Employment and educational opportunities

Rapid growth of population due to: - Natural increase in cities (high fertility

rates (4.7 % in 2007 compared to the global average 2.5 %)

- Rural to urban migration - relative decrease in death rates compared to

rural areas Unequal pace development in: -Social service provision - housing and sanitation - preferential treatment by virtue of their

location

Unlike Asia and Europe, urbanization is taking place in the absence of significant industrial expansion.

Outward expansion and conversion of prime agricultural lands into residential and industrial uses.

Less inward expansion of build up areas

Challenges of urbanization

Urbanization and Malaria-Rapid urbanization and poor sanitation is increasing malaria disease burden among urban dwellers.

- 200 million people (24.6% of the total African population) live in urban settings (which covers 1.1–1.6% of the total African surface) and are at risk of contracting malaria

- Annual incidence of about 24.8–103.2 million cases of clinical malaria (6–28% of the estimated global annual malaria incidence).

Urbanization led to infectious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and diarrhea. HIV/AIDS

Inadequate schools and facilities Clustering in schools Long distances to school

Increase crime and violence Increase traffic conjection Psychological disorders urban slums Weak urban planning/management Poor governance

Top-down/non participative approach to urban development

Lack of gender sensitivity in programmes and projects

Social inequality and exclusion Youth unemployment and underemployment

Polluted air and water. Inadequate supply of clean drinking water,

Inadequate waste and sewage disposal,

Food insecurity

Response

Active in possesses of addressing urban challenges:

- 1976 in Vancouver - 1996 In Istanbul- 2000 MDG Forum- 2001 Istanbul +5 in New York- NEPAD urban cities initiative

- Development of sustainable cities - Mapping poverty - Empowering communities and local government

urge countries to - Halve poverty and the proportion of people with no access to water and sanitation

- Improve access to energy- Reduce disease burden, including HIV/AIDS

- Phase out harmful chemicals

The 2003 Maputo Decision- promoting the development of sustainable cities and Towns in Africa

In May 2004 first NEPAD Cities Forum was organised in collaboration with UN habitat

- share experiences -promote the development

Recognise the challenges faced by urban communities, planners and Manager

Articulate the need for raising the standard of living for African population

Commit to support the development of integrative role of entities

Provide the framework for enhancing the process of building the capacities of cities

A. Capacity building Encourage the improvement of

infrastructure and social services Advocate for the involvement of

communities in initiating, planning and implementation of urban development projects

Provide political and institutional support to alleviate urban problems-housing, sanitation, pollution reduction

B. Ensure overall Coherence Focus on Holistic approaches City authorities in their programmes,

project should focus on addressing the twin problem of poverty and exclusion through:

- address demographic dynamic. Health, nutrition, food security, water sanitation

-with emphasis on right –based issues - Include all stakeholders in city

development

C. Strengthen local governance -Improve good governance in the urban centers

-Enhance urban planning and development

-Promote public participation at all levels

D. Promote livelihood based approaches

E. Create favourable conditions for the private sector to participate in the development of sustainable cities

F. Enhance CSOs and NGOs to play a role in promoting urban development

G. Narrow gender gap in the provision of resources

H. Facilities Slum upgrading through targeted subsidies that bring slums into the formal economy

I. Reversing government programs and tax policies that help create sprawl.

J. Revitilizing already developed areas through measures such as attracting new businesses, reducing crime and improving schools;

K. Pass laws to plan and provide environmentally sound cities - Polluter pay systems

L. Transform the rural economy in order to slow the rate of urbanization.

Discus the projected trends of urbanization in Africa and comment on the reason for such occurrence

With reference to specific example discuss how the problem of urbanization can be solved in Africa