Towards risk-sensitive and transformative urban development in sub Saharan Africa

TY - JOUR

T1 - Towards risk-sensitive and transformative urban development in sub Saharan Africa

AU - Leck, Hayley

AU - Pelling, Mark

AU - Adelekan, Ibidun

AU - Dodman, David

AU - Issaka, Hamadou

AU - Johnson, Cassidy

AU - Manda, Mtafu

AU - Mberu, Blessing

AU - Nwokocha, Ezebunwa

AU - Osuteye, Emmanuel

AU - Boubacar, Soumana

PY - 2018/8

Y1 - 2018/8

N2 - Risk-sensitive development is required to reduce risk that has accumulated in the city and to better consider risk when planning new developments. To deliver a sustainable city for all requires a more frank and comprehensive focus on procedure: on who makes decisions, under which frameworks, based upon what kind of data or knowledge, and with what degree and direction of accountability. Acting on these procedural questions is the promise of transformative urban development. This paper explores the status of risk sensitive and transformative urban development and scope for transition towards these components of sustainability in urban sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of diverse city cases: Karonga (Malawi) Ibadan (Nigeria;), Niamey (Niger and Nairobi (Kenya). The paper draws from a three year research and capacity building programme, Urban Africa: Risk Knowledge (www.urbanark.org) that aims to address gaps in data, understandings and capacity to break cycles of risk accumulation. A common analytical framework is presented to help identify blockages and opportunities for transition towards a risk-sensitive and transformative urban development. This framework is then illustrated through each city in turn and a concluding discussion reflects on city observations to draw out recommendations for city level and wider action and research partnerships.

AB - Risk-sensitive development is required to reduce risk that has accumulated in the city and to better consider risk when planning new developments. To deliver a sustainable city for all requires a more frank and comprehensive focus on procedure: on who makes decisions, under which frameworks, based upon what kind of data or knowledge, and with what degree and direction of accountability. Acting on these procedural questions is the promise of transformative urban development. This paper explores the status of risk sensitive and transformative urban development and scope for transition towards these components of sustainability in urban sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of diverse city cases: Karonga (Malawi) Ibadan (Nigeria;), Niamey (Niger and Nairobi (Kenya). The paper draws from a three year research and capacity building programme, Urban Africa: Risk Knowledge (www.urbanark.org) that aims to address gaps in data, understandings and capacity to break cycles of risk accumulation. A common analytical framework is presented to help identify blockages and opportunities for transition towards a risk-sensitive and transformative urban development. This framework is then illustrated through each city in turn and a concluding discussion reflects on city observations to draw out recommendations for city level and wider action and research partnerships.

U2 - 10.3390/su10082645

DO - 10.3390/su10082645

M3 - Article

SN - 2071-1050

VL - 10

JO - Sustainability

JF - Sustainability

IS - 8

M1 - 2645

ER -