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6 - Urban Planning and Climate Change Action in Africa

from Part I - Understanding Sustainable Urban Planning in Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2023

By
Eric Gaisie ,
Chati Jerry Tasantab  and
Oluwadunsin Ajulo
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

The purpose of this chapter is to examine how climate change actions are integrated into urban planning in Africa. Based on a review of long-term and medium-term planning frameworks from six selected cities, the chapter analyses the awareness, synthesis and strategies for addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation in Africa through urban planning. The findings indicate that despite a high level of awareness of climate change and impacts, conscious framing of planning frameworks as tools for instituting mitigation and adaptation measures for climate change action is lacking. While the issues and policies indicated in the plans have impacts on climate change mitigation and adaptation, the planning frameworks mainly regard them as immediate developmental needs rather than offering an explicit avenue for addressing climate change. Considering that climate change remains a major existential threat to the sustainable development of African cities, the chapter argues for reimagining planning to view spatial and socio-economic development issues and strategies through a climate change lens to ensure efficient allocation of resources towards climate-proof growth, sustainable development and resilience.

Keywords

climate changeurban planningmitigationadaptationAfrican cities
Type
Chapter
Information
Reimagining Urban Planning in Africa , pp. 84 - 106
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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