Africa’s urbanisation rate is the highest in the world. Depending on the degree and efficacy of urban governance and planning, this can be either be an opportunity or a challenge.
Poorly planned cities can result in increased inequality, poverty, crime, slum proliferation and public health hazards. Alternatively, effective urban governance and planning can facilitate economic growth, poverty reduction, cultural renaissances and transformation.
The House activities are inspired by a set of studies conducted by the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) on ‘Urban Governance and Turning Cities around in Africa’ and works closely with policy actors to bridge the gap between research evidence being produced in this area and public policy and practice. Urban governance is being implemented in Nairobi and Kigali
Policy Issue
The overall goal of the house is to promote inclusive urbanism that provides multiple rationality and innovations. The following specific objectives forms the cornerstone of the house;
Anchor Study (Primary Evidence Sources)
The House relies on evidence from studies conducted on Urban Governance in Luanda, Angola, Johannesburg South Africa and Lagos Nigeria. To achieve its objectives’, the house has designed well thought out activities that entails a mixture of research, policy actors’ engagement, debates and exchanges, structured dialogues and media outreach, to address difficult development and policy issues and improve the lives of urban residents of Kigali. The forums bring together various stakeholders on urban governance to co-create and co-produce throughout the research cycle include the uptake process.
Countries of Focus
Kenya and Rwanda
House Workstreams
Urban Governance and City Transformation House works across two workstreams.
The House in Rwanda was launched on January 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. The House represents a diverse set of stakeholders including representatives of the residents of Kigali, government officials, members of parliament, legal experts, academics, public intellectuals, development partners and agencies.
This House focusses on promoting the use of evidence based advocacy to influence policy on urban governance in Rwanda. The provision of affordable housing, access to effective and affordable public transport, and improving waste management for enhanced public health are some of the priority issues collectively identified by the stakeholders in the house as areas which need evidence for policy intervention.
The house is guided by the following specific objectives;
Cities of Focus
Kigali and secondary cities including Rubavu, Muhenga, Nyagatare, Huye, Musanza and Rusizi
Host Organisation
The Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR-Rwanda)
House Resources/Outputs
Policy Briefs
Affordable Housing in Kigali: Issues and Recommendations – Published, July 2018
This policy brief highlights the root causes of large housing deficits in Kigali, explains why existing initiatives are not functioning as they should and offers a number of recommendations that can enhance the provision of affordable housing across the city.
Reports
First Utafiti Sera Forum on Urban Governance and City Transformation: The Case of Kigali, Rwanda
Media Resources
Newspaper articles and blogs
Researchers Call for More Collaboration to Spur Urban Development – The New Times
Using Research Evidence to Inform Debate On Affordable Housing In Kigali -The New Times
The house was launched in January 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya. The House brings together a community of practice and interest working groups to enhance policy processes and outcomes around issues related to Urban Governance and inclusive city dwelling in Nairobi, Kenya. The House focuses on providing evidence for productive engagement and policy processes aimed at improving social aspects of urban infrastructure development in Nairobi.
The House work is segregated into different thematic groups which are led by key state actors such as the Strategic Planning theme by Council of Governors, the Stakeholder Engagement theme by Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). These teams have enabled the house further provide evidence through engaging closely with the Urban Boards and duty bearers to entrench evidence in their governance frameworks specifically in the Urban Boards Strategic Plans, Lake Region Economic Bloc Citizen’s Engagement Framework and Stakeholder Engagement Frameworks for KURA.
Key areas of intervention include:
It’s Theory of Change is based on the following fundamental truths:
City of Focus
Nairobi
Host Organisation
House Resources/Outputs
Policy Briefs
Towards A Policy on Evictions and Resettlement
Published, May 2018
Infrastructural development goes beyond building of roads, bridges, and highways and impact social justice. The brief offers policy recommendations for various stakeholders towards formulation and implementation of the a robust social-justice centred policy in evictions and resettlement.
Reports
First Utafiti Sera Forum on Urban Governance and City Transformation in Kenya
Media resources
Newspaper and blogs
Respect of human rights key as we develop infrastructure – The Standard Newspaper
Videos