UNU WIDER : Urban governance and service delivery in Africa

Tue, 5 June 2012

Africa is one of the fastest urbanizing regions of the world. On the one hand, this demographic transformation offers important opportunities for growth, economic development, and innovation. On the other hand, rapid urbanization generates high demand and formidable challenges for delivering basic services, including housing, water, sanitation, and electricity.

In preparation for the 2012 World Urban Forum VI, this seminar emphasizes the role of governance structures and institutions for addressing these opportunities and constraints, paying particular attention to the interaction between local actors and national political contexts. The presenters will offer both an understanding of urban governance and service delivery across Africa while also elaborating on specific case studies of cities in Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda. Through these empirical examples, the seminar will also aim to provide practical policy recommendations for confronting the region’s rapid urbanization and highlight areas for greater research.

Programme