Croissance urbaine et insecurity dans la ville de niamey

Abstract

Founded during colonial times, the city of Niamey had 1 730 inhabitants in 1931. Twenty-two years later, the population had increased to 15 710, representing an annual growth of 7%. After 1970, this growth increased to 10%. By 1988, the capital had 400 000 inhabitants. Currently, 700 000 people live in the city. The expansion of the city reflects this rapid demographic growth: in 1970, Niamey covered 1 367 ha, today the city spreads over 10 000 ha.This rapid growth was and still is associated with various difficulties in the areas of accommodation, health and especially security. This increasing insecurity is the result of two main factors which are closely linked: increasing poverty plus lack of education and support of the younger generation. Juvenile delinquency is becoming more and more prevalent as indicated by the increasing number of street children who commit petty thefts when the occasion presents itself or at worst could become involved in organised crime. © Author(s) 2004. This work is distributed.