African Urbanism is moving on up!

Hello all, First of all, THANK YOU for following my blog, sharing in the discussions, and helping make African Urbanism a vibrant community. Let’s keep it going! I’ve moved my blog to africanurbanism.net to make it bigger and better — please  update your bookmarks, re-follow me there, and continue sharing in the conversation! I’ve even got a … Continue reading →

A World Bank chief economist’s take on informality and employment in Africa

“Most Africans, the ones in rural areas as well as people in the urban areas, are in the informal sector. And there is a reason for that: they cannot afford to be unemployed. Most of the unemployed in Africa are people with secondary school degrees, who have finished secondary school or even university. They are … Continue reading →

Traders and mayor differ on approach to build a modern Kantamanto after fire

“…the overall good that should come out of this is the need for us to take advantage of an unfortunate situation to bring about modernization,” said Accra City Mayor Alfred Vanderpuye, referring to the recent fire that destroyed the immense Kantamanto Market in the city center on Sunday morning. The market is a center for … Continue reading →

Visualizing Spaces: Accra’s First Francophone Film Festival

For two weeks in March, the Accra Francophone Film Festival showcased new spaces, cultures and stories from across the continent and beyond — from Mali to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from France itself to short films from across Ghana. Through the means of 13 Francophone films and 10 short films from Ghanaian filmmakers, the festival transported … Continue reading →

It’s not a wall, it’s a mural! Youth and artists “Imagine Accra” in Kanda community

These days, commuters and residents along the Kanda Expressway between Kawukudi and Kanda have a new view along their community landscape: a bright, expressive art mural at Club 10 junction, painted on a family’s high, cement wall and running more than 50 feet long. “Imagine Accra,” the mural commands in bold, curving purple lettering. The … Continue reading →

On its path to liveability, Accra explores new transport options

For the average commuter, Accra is choked by bottlenecks and traffic congestion. The city’s commercial activity attracts two-thirds of commuters to the CBD, but the ineffective transport system stifles accessibility, productivity and liveability. The city’s longstanding transportation planning bias toward cars is catching up with the growing city. An estimated 70 percent of commuters get … Continue reading →

In 2013, new initiatives explore urbanization trends in Africa

The new year is here, and with it, a new chapter full of new opportunities to explore, study and discuss urban development in African cities. This list spotlights a handful of initiatives, websites and projects  to look forward to in 2013. Continue reading →

When A Major Building Like Melcom Collapses, Who Is to Blame?

Perhaps the short answer should just be: everybody. Because the Achimota Melcom building’s collapse highlights serious weaknesses in planning regulations and building code enforcement in Accra. When the multistory commercial shopping complex for the Melcom shopping chain collapsed on Wednesday, November 7th in Achimota in Accra, it was not only a horrible disaster but also a … Continue reading →

Whose city is it, anyway?

The residents who form the backbone of Accra’s economy live in poor, high-density areas and are open to harassment by authorities. To develop into a fair and livable city, Accra will need to resolve this and other issues of inequality, says Victoria Okoye for UrbanAfrica.net. “Accra has always had a dual personality, right from its beginnings,” … Continue reading →

On Clean Drinking Water in Lagos: Many Options, Few Solutions

In Lagos, the systemic challenges facing urban water infrastructure affect each and everyone, from the wealthy oga in his corner office on Victoria Island to the impoverished beggar eking out his subsistence on a walkway in one of the city’s slums. While all are affected, the degree to which the pang of the water crisis affects each person is … Continue reading →

In Accra, People and Their Bikes Create a Sub-Culture

A 2010 World Bank study on Accra  estimated that only 1 to 4 percent of people in the city ride bicycles, whether to work, to school, to shopping activities, or for leisure. According to an earlier study by the Centre for Cycling Expertise, a Ghana-based, non-profit organization focused on promoting cycling and walking in cities, the … Continue reading →

Why We Should Stop Talking about Legalizing Gay Marriage and Start Talking about Civil Unions for All

This is an editorial and a notable detour from my usual urbanism-related articles.  It was only a few days ago that American President Barack Obama made another first by declaring his political support for gay marriage in the United States. As expected, this move that has split the American public on an issue that is already … Continue reading →