Which Way to Livable and Productive Cities?

A Road Map for Sub-Saharan Africa

Kirsten Hommann, Somik V. Lall

• Publisher: World Bank
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781464814051
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: City Planning & Urban Development
• Index: Politics & International Relations

For African cities to grow economically as they have grown in size, they must create productive environments to attract investments, increase economic efficiency, and create livable environments that prevent urban costs from rising with increased population densification. What are the central obstacles that prevent African cities and towns from becoming sustainable engines of economic growth and prosperity? Among the most critical factors that limit the growth and livability of urban areas are land markets, investments in public infrastructure and assets, and the institutions to enable both. To unleash the potential of African cities and towns for delivering services and employment in a livable and environmentally friendly environment, a sequenced approach is needed to reform institutions and policies and to target infrastructure investments. This book lays out three foundations that need fixing to guide cities and towns throughout Sub-Saharan Africa on their way to productivity and livability.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Numerical Highlights
• Policy Highlights
• Abbreviations
• Overview
• Chapter 1: Cities and Towns Are Growing, yet the Potential Benefits of Urbanization Remain Distant
• Chapter 2: Three Pillars on the Road toward Livable and Productive Cities: Working Land Markets, Effective Urban Planning, and Financing for Public Investments
• Chapter 3: Knowledge Gaps
• Boxes
• Figures
• Maps
• Tables