Image Source: Canva Images
Starting this article was a challenge for me as I struggled to find the right structure to convey my thoughts effectively.
In my previous article, Urban Planning and the Urgency for a Resilient Africa, I highlighted how climate crises and shocks in Africa are exacerbated by inadequate or non-existent urban planning and resilience systems.
Unfortunately, a recent flood in Buea, the capital of Cameroon’s South West region, resulting in the loss of lives and property, further necessitated the urgency of the issue.
However, what is concerning is the failure of African governments to assess the value of loss caused by inefficiencies in urban and rural centres, making it difficult to prioritize and design strategies that improve community resilience.
As I reflected on the issue, I decided to structure my thoughts in four key areas:
- The intersection of geopolitics and technology in building resilient cities
- Community-led climate change resilience – the case of the ADB
- How African communities can adopt the ADB model; and
- Climate Action Africa’s Resilient Neighbors Program
The Intersection of Geopolitics and Technology in Building Resilient Cities
Image source: This is a compilation of 3 images from markduerksen.com, World Habitat and the Punch
Urban planning and resilience in Africa are closely intertwined with geopolitics and technology. Geopolitical factors such as historical legacies, economic power dynamics, and political instability shape the urban environment in Africa and influence how cities are planned, developed, and managed.
In a report on urban governance in Africa, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) notes that historical legacies of colonialism and structural adjustment programs have had a profound impact on urban development in Africa, leading to spatial inequalities and a lack of access to basic services.
Most of our city settlements were not designed and planned around the indigenes and residents of the land but rather planned and built to fit neocolonial interests. Marry this with political instability, economic growth, rural-urban migration, and conflict, and we find ourselves in the structural or unstructured nightmare that is most urban settlements.
To paint a vivid picture of the above statement, let me take you through some of the cities that were/are structured around our colonial and post-colonial history.
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Kinshasa is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing cities, but it is plagued by poor infrastructure, widespread poverty, and political instability.
Much of the city’s post-colonial design was focused on serving the needs of the colonial powers rather than the local population, leading to significant disparities in access to basic services like water, electricity, and healthcare.
For instance, many of Kinshasa’s poorer neighbourhoods are located on the outskirts of the city and lack basic infrastructure, such as running water and sanitation services. These neighbourhoods were originally built during the colonial era to house African labourers, and their design often reflects a lack of consideration for the needs of the local population.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg is a city that has been deeply impacted by the legacy of apartheid, which created deep social and economic inequalities between different racial groups.
While much progress has been made since the end of apartheid in 1994, many residents still live in impoverished townships without access to basic services like running water and electricity.
Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos is a rapidly growing city that is home to more than 20 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world.
However, the city’s infrastructure has struggled to keep up with this rapid growth, leading to problems like traffic congestion, air pollution, and limited access to basic services like healthcare and education.
Luanda, Angola
Luanda is a city that has been deeply impacted by years of civil war and political instability, which have left many residents living in poverty and struggling to access basic services like healthcare and education.
The city’s post-colonial design has also led to significant inequalities in access to housing and other basic needs.
Harare, Zimbabwe
Harare is a city that has been negatively impacted by years of political and economic turmoil, which have led to widespread poverty and limited access to basic services like water and electricity.
The city’s post-colonial design has also led to problems like traffic congestion and limited access to public transportation.
These communities represent just a few examples of how post-colonial legacies have contributed to social and economic inequalities within African cities.
Sadly, there is no time to pause and re-evaluate these structures and most of our leaders and politicians are too worried about re-election to disrupt existing structures for the longevity and sustainability of our communities — but all is not lost. Despite our misfortune, technological advancements today have the potential to drive innovation and transform urban systems.
A study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) notes that digital technologies such as GIS and remote sensing can be used to support urban resilience in Africa by mapping and analysing data on hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks.
The African Development Bank also, notes that smart city technologies such as sensors, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) can improve the efficiency of urban systems such as transportation, energy, and water, reducing waste and increasing resilience to shocks.
These reports and others buttress the importance of technology and its potential to transform urban systems in Africa, further stating that its adoption must be accompanied by policies and regulations that ensure that its benefits are shared by all, especially as the unethical and ignorant use of technology can further exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.
Community-led Climate Change Resilience – the case of the ADB
Image Source: 2021 Asian Development Bank-Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund
In 2021, the Asian Development Bank, through its Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund, published the Community-Led Urban Resilience Planning, a practical guide to inclusive, community-led resilience planning to make cities more prosperous, resilient, and livable.
In this guide, success cases across Asia where communities were able to unite and work together for resilience were highlighted. In addition to these success stories, 5 priority areas of the bank concerning resilience and how communities can play a critical role in the attainment of its agenda by 2030 were presented.
I find ADB’s approach to be practical as it also offers a playbook to various activists and influencers in the space to move beyond Twitter battles and protests and take action.
This led me to reflect on how this could be modelled in Africa, by identifying existing frameworks within the AfDB and AU Agenda 2063 and highlighting the role communities can play in its attainment. The full report can be downloaded here.
Adopting the ADB Model for African Communities
The best way that I believe African communities can adopt the ADB model is by first identifying and highlighting the role of community within existing frameworks and policy documents that seek to contribute to a resilient Africa. The African Development Bank and the African Union have all published strategic documents and report that, when adopted at the local level, will greatly impact our resilience and sustainability.
Here are some example documents published by the AfDB where you will find its resilience strategy for the continent:
- The High 5s for Africa: This document outlines the AfDB’s five strategic priorities, including building a more resilient Africa. It provides an overview of the bank’s approach to promoting resilience, including its focus on climate change, economic diversification, and social protection.
- Building Resilience for Sustainable Development in Africa: This publication provides a more detailed overview of the AfDB’s approach to resilience. It discusses the key challenges facing the continent, including climate change, conflict, and economic instability, and outlines the bank’s strategies for addressing these challenges.
- Climate Change and Green Growth Strategy: This document focuses specifically on the AfDB’s approach to promoting climate resilience in Africa. It outlines the bank’s commitment to investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and other initiatives that can help reduce Africa’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
A little confession is, I am a little obsessed with the AU’s Agenda 2063 #TheAfricaWeWant, as I believe that, unlike the SDGs, it provides a more realistic and contextual framework for building the Africa of our dreams.
I was a little sad to realise this document doesn’t have a clear stance on resilient cities. However, in Aspirations 1 and 5, I denoted references to its desire for sustainability and resilience of our cities.
Let’s take a look at these aspirations:
Aspiration 1 – A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
This Aspiration focuses on building strong and sustainable economies across Africa, with a particular emphasis on promoting inclusive growth and reducing poverty. Resilient cities are essential for achieving this Aspiration, as they can help to promote economic growth and reduce vulnerability to shocks and stresses.
Aspiration 5 – An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values, and ethics
This Aspiration focuses on promoting cultural diversity and preserving Africa’s rich heritage. Resilient cities can play an important role in achieving this Aspiration, as they can help to preserve cultural landmarks, promote cultural exchange, and support the growth of cultural industries.
All the above-mentioned documents can be downloaded from the AFDB and AU websites.
Climate Action. Africa’s Resilient Neighbors Program.
I cannot say this enough; the power of the African continent is in the collective! The power of the African continent is in its communities.
Africa has always failed only when members of our community betray us. Therefore, we must fix and grow our Ubuntu spirit as it’s our fastest route to attaining #TheAfricaWeWant.
Leveraging the power of community and all that has been said above, I am launching the Resilient Neighbors Program through my startup, Climate Action Africa.
Our goal under this project is:
- To research existing climate change frameworks, policies, and literature on the continent and cocreate a practical guide that highlights the role of the community in fostering resilient and sustainable communities.
- To work with communities in testing and implementing this framework to further strengthen our resilience, one community at a time.
If you would like to contribute to our research work or share success stories of what has worked in your community, kindly contact me through the contact me section of my website.
I hope that through this project, we would move beyond angry articles and analysis and take action toward building resilient cities.