Toward a more desirable form of sustainable urban development in Africa

Abstract

Although there is an abundance of literature on sustainable development and urban planning in Africa, it remains to be demonstrated whether urban planning in Africa is founded on the ideology of sustainable urban development or has positive or negative effects on sustainable urban development of Africa. This paper reviews a variety of definitions of sustainable urban development and relates them against urban planning processes and practices in Africa. Drawing from published literature, policy documents and international reports, this paper advocates for inclusiveness and spatial integration toward a more desirable form of sustainable urban development in Africa.