Reflections on African Cities in Transition: Selected Continental Experiences

by Purshottama Sivanarain Reddy, Henry Wissink

Overview

This volume describes African cities in transition, and the economic, socio-political, and environmental challenges resulting from rapid post-colonial urbanization. As the African continent continues to transition from urban configurations inherited from colonial influences and history, it faces issues such as urban slum expansion, increased demands for energy and clean water, lack of adequate public transportation, high levels of inequality among different socio-economic population strata, and inadequate urban governance, planning, and policies. African cities in transition need to reconsider current policies and developmental trajectories to facilitate and sustain economic growth and Africa’s strategic repositioning in the world.

Written by an international team of scholars and practitioners, this volume uses case studies to focus on key issues and developmental challenges in selected African cities. Topics include but are not limited to, smart cities, changing notions of democracy, the city’s role in attaining the SDGs, local governance, alternative models for governance and management, corruption, urbanisation and future cities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030461140
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	09/16/2020
Series:	Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development
Edition description:	1st ed. 2020
Pages:	314
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Purshottama Sivanarain Reddy is a senior professor and subnational governance specialist in the School of Management, IT and Governance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa. He is currently Vice President of Programmes and founder Project Director of the working group on sub-national governance and development, and member of the Board of Management representing the African Region of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA) (Brussels).

Henry Wissink is a professor of Public Governance at the School of Management, IT and Governance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa. He is broadly educated and skilled in the fields of public governance, public policy analysis, development studies, organisation, and leadership development. He is the Director of the Unit for Sustainable Urban Governance and Innovation (USUGAI) at the UKZN, aimed at improving knowledge, technologies and skills needed for the development of smart, sustainable, resilient and agile cities of the future, particularly in the developing world.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Political/Administrative Interface in African Countries.- Chapter 2: The governance and management of African cities: Alternative approaches and models towards transforming into successful cities of the future.- Chapter 3: Urban decay and regeneration in the African city.- Chapter 4: Local Economic Development as an Alternative Development Strategy in Southern African Cities.- Chapter 5: Evaluating the Aerotropolis Model for African Cities: The case of the Durban Aerotropolis.- Chapter 6: African Local Governments and Cities in the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals.- Chapter 7: The Changing Notion Of Democracy And Public Participation In Cities In Africa: A Time For An Alternative.- Chapter 8: South African Cities and Corruption: A Tale of Two Cities.- Chapter 9: E-Participation as a Mechanism of Stakeholder Engagement in the City of Harare.- Chapter 10: Urbanisation and Future Smart Cities: Challenges of Water and Sanitation Services.- Chapter 11: The dynamics of councillor versus traditional leadership in South African Local Government. : A study of understanding, attitudes and perceptions.- Chapter 12: Disaster Risk Management at the Local Level: The Case of Ethekwini City Council in South Africa.- Chapter 13: Urbanisation and the quality of growth in Uganda: The challenge of structural transformation and sustainable inclusive development.- Chapter 14: African Cities in Transition: Solutions and the Way Forward.