Socio-spatial transformation in Africa: a framework to map the process and guide the planning of future cities

Abstract

Africa cities are continuously changing. Increased urbanisation, poverty, unemployment, effective service delivery and scarce natural resources are some of the challenges African cities are facing. And while people have to come to terms with these, the spatial environment is also transformed, in some cases almost overnight. Do these changes facilitate envisioned social change and what are their impacts and implications for future African cities? The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance of a theoretical framework for spatial transformation to analyze and understand African cities and their transition at the turn of the century. The paper introduces the concepts of space and place and then explores the process of making and changing space from a generic perspective. This is then applied to discuss the socio-spatial transformation in African cities and the implications of changes in the built environment for future African cities.