The African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) has unveiled its latest milestone in urban development research by announcing the selection of five cities to progress to the implementation phase of its groundbreaking initiative. Accra, Ghana; Harare, Zimbabwe; Kampala, Uganda; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya have emerged as frontrunners following an extensive foundation phase of research and engagement across 12 cities in recent years.

The selection process was meticulous, considering a holistic exploration of city systems, political settlements, and urban development domains. This approach enabled city teams to identify complex challenges and propose strategic interventions. Diversity in geography, size, income levels, fragility, and political context were pivotal in determining the cities poised to move forward.

The chosen cities will now implement urban development interventions to address challenges identified during the foundation phase research and drive urban reform. Pilot projects have already been initiated in Nairobi and Harare, focusing on enhancing children's access to nutritious diets and upgrading informal enterprises.

In Kampala, efforts will be concentrated on improving food safety and sanitation systems at the Ggaba food market, addressing challenges faced by vendors related to inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. The project aims to employ a community-led approach, innovative waste management technologies, and formalize food safety certification processes.

Accra's project will center on the development of a community-led organic waste management system in the historic informal settlement of Old Fadama, aiming to establish an organic waste value chain and create employment opportunities for waste collectors.

Meanwhile, ongoing research efforts in Lagos are geared towards improving housing accessibility for low-income families, implementing climate resilience measures in flood-prone areas, and enhancing public safety through improved street lighting.

While the focus will primarily be on the five selected cities during the implementation phase, ACRC remains committed to maximizing the impact of its research endeavours across all participating cities. Continued support for smaller-scale research projects, research uptake initiatives, and engagement efforts underscores ACRC's dedication to driving sustainable urban development across the African continent.

The advancement of these five cities into the implementation phase heralds a new era in urban development research, offering promising prospects for transformative change and inclusive growth in African cities.

 

Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku

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https://www.african-cities.org/five-african-cities-selected-for-acrcs-implementation-phase/