Urbanisation and the urban poor in Africa
Akrofi, Emmanuel Offei
Urbanisation and migration are among the greatest global phenomena of our time and will remain so for some time to come. Migration, if properly directed, could enhance economic development. Most African countries are undergoing unprecedented urban growth partly as a result of rural-urban migration. Factors like landlessness, failing agriculture productivity, wars, and natural disasters are pushing the vulnerable rural communities to the urban centres. At the same time attractions of the urban centres such as good schools, hospitals, better employment opportunities, recreational facilities and transportation are pulling rural dwellers to urban centres. Women form a substantial part of these migrants. On arrival at the urban centre the migrant, with little or no formal education or skills, finds that life is not as anticipated. There are no readily available jobs, majority find themselves in the informal sectors with low incomes. Besides decent accommodation is beyond their reach and most migrants end up in informal settlements with insecure tenure and lacking basic urban services. Occupants consequently cannot improve their dwellings and living standards. The poor in informal settlement survive through their own initiative and yet most of these initiatives are deemed illegal. The courage, zeal and determination of the urban poor could, however, be enhanced for economic development. Providing the urban poor with secure tenure is one way of ensuring this. Best practice approach of achieving this is partnership between central government, local government, private sector and community based organisations.
Event: 5th FIG Regional Conference for Africa : Promoting Land Administration and Good Governance
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