Urbanization and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development in Africa

Abstract

Urbanization profoundly affects the realignment of urban infrastructures through its multiple dimensions. With an unprecedented rate of population growth of 26% between 2019 and 2050 worldwide and 46% in northern African countries, most of this growth is expected to happen within cities. This significant increase in urban population is a major challenge to current and future built-up infrastructures. The urban system as a dynamic ecosystem is directly impacted by ongoing urbanization, which brings into sharp focus the multifaceted challenges of urban infrastructures as the main supplier of urban services. It is, therefore, essential to point out the discrepancy between the current urbanization trend and urban infrastructure development in the African region. This article thereby focuses on examining the effect of urbanization and urban growth on sustainable urban infrastructure development on the African continent. It highlights then the discrepancy between urban infrastructure and urbanization in Africa and the challenges that impinge on their sustainable development throughout diverse levels: 1) infrastructure overload 2) lack of investment 3) deficiency and inadequacy. These discrepancies will be examined following the categorization of urban infrastructures that are namely composed of transport, energy, water and sanitation, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). In conclusion, multiple approaches and actions to meet the sustainable development of urban infrastructures have been proposed.