Theme 2 - Learning from African Urban Planning
The Conference will explore post-colonial African urban planning policies, practices, and ethics in the different African regions (Northern, Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa). It will learn how distinct urban planning cultures have addressed and might approach the current and future urban challenges and opportunities confronting African cities.
Possible topics may include but are not limited to the following ones:
•Alternative conceptions of Planning: a Southern perspective in planning theory; Planning in 'fragile democracies'; Unlearning the colonial urban planning cultures
•Urban and Regional Planning education in Africa: appropriateness and necessary shifts
•Beyond the central state: the role of local government in urban planning; Incorporation of local traditional institutions in urban governance processes
•The reforms of planning law in Africa; National spatial planning systems in Africa; Trans-border and supranational spatial planning in Africa; Planning and governance of suburbs, metropolitan areas, capital cities, and mega-regions in Africa
•Strategic spatial planning and land use planning in Africa; Participatory budgeting in the governance of African cities
•Informal urban settlements, slum upgrading and the clashes of rationalities; Urban planning for rapidly growing informal cities; Customary land tenure practices and land-use planning in Africa; Property rights, land certification and planning in informal urban areas; Building resilience and adaptive capacity in informal urban settlements ; Urban planning and the living conditions of informal settlements dwellers
•Planning and the informal economy in public spaces and residential areas
•Urban land markets, tenure security and housing in African cities; Affordable and social housing in African cities
•Provision of infrastructure networks and urban services in African cities; Urban mobility and planning in African cities; Sanitation policy, planning and the governance of urban solid waste in African cities
•The preservation of urban heritage in African cities; heritage, planning and development of rural areas
•Urban Fantasies, fantasy plans, urban megaprojects and the role of private developers in shaping African cities
•Urban environmental risks, climate change and policy challenges in African cities; Green areas and vegetation in African cities; Energy transitions and energy policies in African cities
•Smart Cities, Smart Planning and Urban e-Planning: opportunities and challenges in African cities