The State of African Cities 2010: Governance, inequality and urban land markets

The State of African Cities report is already in its second year. However, no major assessment has as yet been undertaken of the report. The present assessment highlights the key findings of the report, explores major themes, and provides a critical evaluation of the claims contained in the report. It argues that, while on face value the report makes grand ‘revolutionary’ claims, the core analyses and recommendations are less radical. In turn, the report ignores important political economic concerns that underpin the complex web of contradictions that it seeks to untangle.

► Urbanism in Africa and the policy stance taken by UN-HABITAT about its nature are examined.
► The dynamics of cities in Africa are challenging established stereotypes of the ‘African city’.
► UN-HABITAT has made an important alteration in its stance on the nature of cities in Africa.
► The policy objectives of UN-HABITAT look radical.
► There is a disconnect between broad policy objectives and how to achieve them.