Urbanisation, Inclusive Cities and the Plight of the People with Disability

Abstract

The new millennium has ushered in unprecedented levels of urbanisation in most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Between 1990 and 2015, the rate of urbanisation has increased from 33.9 to 57.1% and is projected to continue increasing as rural poverty continues to manifest itself. Urbanisation brings with it massive pressure in terms of service provision in the form of jobs, housing and other social infrastructure, physical infrastructure such as roads and electricity. With the focus put on ensuring that the urban areas are functional, orderly, and convenient in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable), the plight of people with disability, what Chipungu and Magidimisha refer to as the “invisible class” largely goes unnoticed. With poverty levels increasing in most urban areas, the number of vulnerable and disadvantaged people will also increase and with it, the challenges of making the urban areas as inclusive as possible. This chapter seeks to have a deeper understanding of the challenges that people with disability are facing as cities struggle with inclusivity. The paper will combine both primary and secondary data which will be collected through key informant discussions with the city officials, institutions and organisations that work with people living with disabilities and the people living with disabilities themselves. Data will also be collected through direct observation in areas where people with disabilities frequent. The data collected will be analysed and used to develop strategies that can be used by cities and other urban local authorities to ensure that the dream to make cities truly inclusive is realised.