African urban fantasies

With Africa’s resource boom, growing middle-class, and rapid urbanization, the continent is seen as the next frontier for property developers and architectural consultancies. The urban fantasies sold to politicians are rooted in the work of 1930s French architect Le Corbusier, leading to devastating consequences for African cities.

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Quick Facts
Report location:	source
Language:	English
Publisher:	University of Cape Town School of Architecture, Planning, and Geomatics
Authors:	Vanessa Watson
Time horizon:	2012
Geographic focus:	Africa

Methods

The research method involved analyzing urban development plans proposed for various African cities by international firms. The author, Vanessa Watson from the School of Architecture, Planning, and Geomatics at the University of Cape Town, critically examines these plans and their potential implications for African urban environments.

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Key Insights

The research discusses the trend of new generation urban master plans in Africa created by international architectural and engineering firms. These plans, influenced by images of cities like Dubai, Shanghai, and Singapore, are based on outdated concepts and will have negative impacts on African cities, especially the urban poor. The report highlights specific examples such as Kigale in Rwanda, Nairobi in Kenya, Lagos in Nigeria, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The focus is on the contrast between the urban fantasies presented by these plans and the harsh realities faced by the majority of residents in these cities.

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