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African urbanization: an analytic policy guide

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  • Paul Collier

Abstract

Africa is rapidly urbanizing: it is the most important structural transformation under way in the region. By 2050, almost regardless of government policies, its urban population will have tripled. But the consequences are critically dependent upon policy choices: successful urbanization requires active and far-sighted government. At its best, urbanization can be the essential motor of economic development, rapidly lifting societies out of mass poverty. At its worst, it results in concentrations of squalor and disaffection which ferment political fragility. To date, African urbanization has been dysfunctional, the key indication being that cities have not generated enough productive jobs. If urban policies remain unchanged, future urbanization is likely to result in similar outcomes. This paper sets out how changed policies can unlock the potential of urbanization for prosperity. Primarily, it sets out the economic forces underlying this potential, and the specific policy actions they require. But policy actions do not just happen: they are generated by political processes that confer authority and capacity on public institutions. The paper concludes with a discussion of how politically urban policy-making might be improved.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Collier, 2017. "African urbanization: an analytic policy guide," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 33(3), pages 405-437.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxford:v:33:y:2017:i:3:p:405-437.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oxrep/grx031
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lauren A. Johnston, 2019. "The Belt and Road Initiative: What is in it for China?," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(1), pages 40-58, January.
    2. Brueckner, Markus, 2019. "Adult mortality and urbanization: Examination of a weak connection in sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 184-198.
    3. Boxi Deng & Fanglei Zhong, 2023. "Leading or Constraining? Development of New-Type Urbanization under Economic Growth Targets," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-24, April.
    4. Panman, Alexandra & Lozano Gracia, Nancy, 2022. "Titling and beyond: Evidence from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    5. Collier, Paul & Glaeser, Edward & Venables, Tony & Delbridge, Victoria & Oliveira Cunha, Juliana, 2023. "Economics meets urban planning: developing effective land use plans in fast-growing cities," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 120037, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Eleni Giouli & Pisinas Yorgos & Anna-Maria Kanzola, 2021. "Human Capital and Production Structure: Evidence from Greece," European Journal of Economics and Business Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 7, January -.
    7. Mohamed Salem Ahmed Ibrahim Alhosani & Kamarul Bahari Yaakub, 2021. "Investigating the Relationship Between Total Quality Management and Primary School Academic Performance with Innovation as a Mediator Using SEM," European Journal of Economics and Business Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 7, January -.
    8. Paul Collier & Anthony J. Venables, 2017. "Urbanization in developing economies: the assessment," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 33(3), pages 355-372.
    9. Bassi,Vittorio & Kahn,Matthew Edwin & Lozano Gracia,Nancy & Porzio,Tommaso & Sorin,Jeanne, 2021. "Pollution in Ugandan Cities : Do Managers Avoid It or Adapt in Place ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9743, The World Bank.
    10. Jiabo Xu & Xingping Wang, 2020. "Reversing Uncontrolled and Unprofitable Urban Expansion in Africa through Special Economic Zones: An Evaluation of Ethiopian and Zambian Cases," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-20, November.
    11. Ali, Daniel Ayalew & Deininger, Klaus, 2024. "Using registry data to assess gender-differentiated land and credit market effects of urban land policy reform: Evidence from Lesotho," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Africa; urbanization;

    JEL classification:

    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R28 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Government Policy
    • R38 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Government Policy
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy
    • R51 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Finance in Urban and Rural Economies

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