Resource information
Urbanization is the single most
important transformation that the African continent will
undergo this century. More than half of Africa's
population will live in its cities by 2040. In the face of
rapid urbanization, there is a narrow window of opportunity
to harness the potential of cities as engines of economic
growth, and use this as a powerful leverage to achieve
sustainable development and poverty reduction. Despite its
rapid urban growth, Africa is less than halfway through the
urbanization process and in some countries, a large number
of people reside in rural areas. Rapid urbanization, if well
managed, can curb urban sprawl, deteriorating access to
services, greater inequality, and increased crime. The
concentration of people in cities also elevates the risks
and costs associated with extreme weather and natural
disasters resulting from climate change. The World Bank
Group's (WBGs) support will focus on three key areas:
metropolitan areas and large cities; secondary and tertiary
cities; and informal settlements. This will include both
multi-sectoral investment programs that integrate a basket
of services (for example, upgrading of electricity, water,
sanitation, roads, drains in unplanned settlements); and
sector specific projects (for example, in urban water, solid
waste, and transport) to improve the effectiveness of
service delivery. This paper is organized in following
chapters: chapter one discusses why is it urgent to get
Africa's urbanization right?; chapter two gives the
vision for efficient, inclusive, and sustainable
urbanization; chapter three presents priorities for
Africa's policymakers; and chapter four deals with
working with Africa to support efficient, inclusive, and
sustainable cities.
