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 18
insert_link Namibia Namibia’s sodomy laws have been overturned – what that means for LGBTIQ+ rights in the country Bennian/Getty Images, CC BY By John Nakuta, University of Namibia The Namibian high court recently invalidated the country’s colonial-era “sodomy law”, which had made consensual sexual acts between men a criminal offence. The court declared that the common law offences of “sodomy” and “unnatural sexual offences” were unconstitutional. This ruling follows a separate decision in 2023 where Namibia’s supreme court ruled to recognise certain same-sex unions […] todayJuly 8, 2024 33
insert_link Africa Kenyan police and protests: researchers on a violent, corrupt security force that’s beyond reform By Moina Spooner, The Conversation Kenya’s police are being criticised for their violent response to protests over the past week against government proposals to raise US$2.7 billion in additional taxes. Hundreds of thousands of people, across 35 of Kenya’s 37 counties, have poured out onto the streets in opposition to the tax hikes. The police have reacted with force, using live bullets and […] todayJune 26, 2024 22