insert_link World Raising revenue from land: what African cities might learn from Hong Kong’s unique land-lease system By Astrid R.N. Haas, University of Toronto Land prices across many African cities are soaring. This is because land is a city’s key asset. As urbanisation progresses, demand for land will rise, and therefore so will land prices, because the supply of land in cities is limited. Investments in public infrastructure, and zoning regulations that convert land to alternative uses, will also boost land value. In fact, […] todayAugust 12, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Walking in African cities can be a miserable experience: Accra study shows planners ignore needs of pedestrians By Seth Asare Okyere, University of Arizona; Daniel Oviedo, UCL; Louis Kusi Frimpong, University of Environment and Sustainable Development ; Matthew Abunyewah, Charles Darwin University, and Stephen Leonard Mensah, University of Memphis African cities aren’t welcoming places for pedestrians. Yet walking is free and, given the shortage of decent public transport, it’s often the only way for people to move around. More than 70% of Africa’s […] todayMay 8, 2024 11
insert_link Africa Africa’s megacities threatened by heat, floods and disease – urgent action is needed to start greening and adapt to climate change By Meelan Thondoo, University of Cambridge Cities cover just 3% of the planet. But they emit 78% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, absorb 80% of final global energy (what consumers use) and consume 60% of clean drinking water. African megacities like Lagos, Nigeria (with 21 million residents) and Cairo, Egypt (with 10 million residents) are experiencing significant temperature increases due to the urban heat island effect […] todayApril 24, 2024 8
insert_link Africa History for sale: what does South Africa’s struggle heritage mean after 30 years of democracy? By Duane Jethro, University of Cape Town One of my favourite statues is the one of Nelson Mandela at the Sandton City shopping centre in Johannesburg. Larger than life, its oversized bronze shoes shimmer in the evening light, polished by the hands of many passersby who crowd around to take pictures with it. At the entrance of a square in the mall, it’s a jovial image […] todayApril 24, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Africa’s megacities threatened by heat, floods and disease – urgent action is needed to start greening and adapt to climate change By Meelan Thondoo, University of Cambridge Cities cover just 3% of the planet. But they emit 78% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, absorb 80% of final global energy (what consumers use) and consume 60% of clean drinking water. African megacities like Lagos, Nigeria (with 21 million residents) and Cairo, Egypt (with 10 million residents) are experiencing significant temperature increases due to the urban heat island effect […] todayApril 24, 2024 9
Africa Cultural wealth can drive economic growth in African cities By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency With the right policies, African cities hold immense potential to drive significant economic growth by capitalizing on their rich cultural heritage and harnessing the creativity of their youthful populations, according to a new report. “Africa’s urban landscapes are not just repositories of heritage and tradition; they are dynamic centres of innovation, awaiting the right policies to support unlocking their full potential,” the […] todayMarch 25, 2024 24
