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Focus Area

Cities & Resilience

Adaptive Urban Frameworks for African Cities

More than 50% of the world's population live in cities or urban centres and one billion people live in informal settlements and slums worldwide. Cities contribute significantly towards achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. African cities will double in population by 2050 this is because being home to the world's youngest and fast-growing population, the continent is urbanizing more rapidly than any other part of the planet (World Economic Forum).

Key Research Areas

Urban Climate Adaptation

Developing evidence-based strategies for African cities to adapt to rising temperatures, flooding, droughts, and other climate impacts affecting urban populations.

Inclusive Urban Planning

Promoting participatory, equitable city planning processes that integrate the needs of informal settlements, women, youth, and other marginalised urban groups.

Infrastructure Resilience

Researching approaches to build and retrofit urban infrastructure — transport, water, energy, housing — to withstand climate extremes and population growth.

Key Themes
  • Urban climate risk assessments
  • Informal settlement resilience
  • City governance and planning policy
  • Migration and displacement research
  • Green urban infrastructure
  • Disaster risk reduction

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