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3 - New Cities in Africa and the Reimagination of Urban Planning

from Part I - Understanding Sustainable Urban Planning in Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2023

By
Prosper Issahaku Korah  and
Patrick Brandful Cobbinah
Edited by
Patrick Brandful Cobbinah  and
Eric Gaisie
Patrick Brandful Cobbinah
Affiliation:
University of Melbourne
Eric Gaisie
Affiliation:
University of Melbourne
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Summary

Rapid and significant spatial transformation is altering the form of major cities in Africa. Slums and informal settlements are being replaced with high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, while luxury residential enclaves, termed ‘new cities’, are being developed on the urban fringe. Yet little is known about the foreign and domestic enablers of new cities, and the implications for reimagining urban planning. Who and what are the roles of foreign and domestic actors involved in development of new cities in Africa? What are the discourses and rationalities guiding the mobilisation and implementation of new cities? And how do new cities underpin or hinder the ‘right to the city’ of African urban residents? This chapter examines the emergence of new cities in Africa by addressing these questions. Using cases from African cities, the chapter argues that the ongoing spatial transformations are linked to broader changes in the global economy such as neo-liberalisation, capital mobility and ambitious city or state governments seeking to create world-class cities. Both domestic and foreign actors are involved in the development of new cities in Africa. These actors are motivated by profit with little or no regard for social inclusion and equity. The chapter argues that the ‘right to the city’ should be an important focal point for new cities and for reimagining urban planning in Africa.

Keywords

spatial transformationinequalityurbanisationneo-liberalisationpolicy mobility
Type
Chapter
Information
Reimagining Urban Planning in Africa , pp. 36 - 51
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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