At the end of 2010, just short of 40% of Africa’s population
lived in cities, making it one of the world’s least urbanised regions. This
figure is set to increase dramatically in the coming decades. At present,
sub-Saharan Africa is second only to Eastern Asia in terms of the pace of urbanisation,
with estimated annual growth of 1.26% from 2010 -2015. By 2035, the continent
will reach a tipping point, when more than 50% of Africans will live in urban
centres. By 2050, more than 1bn people will live in cities. In 2010, there were
94 sub-Saharan Africa cities with a population of more than 500 000
inhabitants… and in 2025 there will be 144 such cities. So issues of urban
management is very important.
As the migration from rural to urban centres continues,
Local government leaders are forced to address sizable challenges, in an effort
to create more liveable, sustainable and productive municipalities.
Municipalities are striving to provide, amongst others, a raft of critical
infrastructure assets to support their growth, more effective transport
systems, reliable and low-carbon energy, safe and secure water networks, and
efficient and scalable social infrastructure.
 |
| Produced by the graphics facilitator out of my presentation |
 |
| African Ideas banners at the event |
The aim of this event was to stimulate discussion on the
challenges and opportunities facing African municipalities and get collaborating
around topics of innovation, technology, governance and long-term planning. City
planners in Africa are looking to what cities across the world have done, and
they do not want to repeat the same mistakes. They want to learn from past
experiences and consider ways to leapfrog their cities into the future.
 |
| Greeting the Mayor |
The event was opened by the Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman
Patricia de Lille. I delivered the keynote address - setting out the context,
challenges and opportunities facing Africa. I highlighted the use of technology
to achieve
- Efficient and Effective Administration
- Improved Governance and Customer Service
- Social and Economic Development
These are core issues that have to be addressed. I also made
the point that as we move into the future, Cities (and governments in general)
need to start to also focus on the the following 3 things
 |
| Delivering the keynote |
- Interconnected Systems and the “internet of things
- Connected Citizens (who are becoming increasingly more empowered and have powerful systems of their own), and
- Big Data Analytics. The ability to make meaning from the mass of data that is being generated from multiple sources and to be able to sense, predict and respond to issues.
Co-management - where government and citizens work much
closer together to manage limited and often overburdened infrastructure and
services is something that will have to considered more and more in the future
- an active citizenry with an active, responsive government. Technology has a
key role to play in this.
 |
| Lazola - looking cool & admiring his handiwork |
