The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), held from 4–8 November in Cairo—a city buzzing with 22 million residents—highlighted some pressing issues surrounding urbanization and climate change, particularly across Africa. With the continent being the world’s most rapidly urbanizing area, it faces distinct challenges related to resource limitations and climate resilience.
WUF12 served as more than just a meeting; it became a pivotal platform aimed at addressing various urbanization challenges like housing, land use, urban planning, governance, and the necessity for public participation. This year’s forum zoomed in on highly relevant subjects such as affordable housing, transforming informal settlements, rebuilding sustainably, and enhancing climate resilience. These themes are absolutely necessary for Africa, which is wrestling with the consequences of swift urban growth.
The overarching theme, ‘It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities’, encompassed six significant dialogues: Housing Our Future, Cities and the Climate Crisis, Stronger Together, Financing Localisation and Localising Finance, Putting People First in the Digital Era, and The Loss of Home. Each of these discussions directly aligned with the needs and priorities of African countries, as demonstrated by the inaugural Africa Urban Forum conducted earlier this year, where leaders and partners laid the groundwork for WUF12.
WUF12 kicked off with housing issues taking center stage—housing as both fundamental urban development and as increasingly challenging across the continent. Africa currently stands as the least urbanized continent, yet project forecasts show its population will jump from 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion by 2050. The urgency for sustainable urban solutions cannot be overstated. Urbanization rates have already surged from 36 percent back in 2010 to about 50 percent anticipated by 2030 and are projected to reach 60 percent by 2050.
Urbanization and climate change intersect significantly, especially for Africa. The continent is both resource-limited and starkly affected by climate change, making its cities hotspots for climate vulnerability. A study highlighted the disturbing reality of how climate change disrupts urban livelihoods, significantly impacting those living in slums. UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach pointed out, "Cities are feeling the effects of climate change, but women are often hit hardest." This statement reflects the harsh truth about climate impacts falling disproportionately on the most vulnerable populations.
These extreme patterns of weather, particularly rising temperatures, floods, and droughts, do not just affect individual lives but also threaten key economic sectors tied to urban living, such as agriculture and public health. A stark warning from the Economist Intelligence Unit noted by 2035, the largest hunks of Africa’s population will reside within its 100 largest cities—accounting for 21 percent of the continent—yet face serious climate risks including rising sea levels and storm surges. According to their report, “These climate risks will weigh heavily on the future prosperity of African cities, and addressing them will require concerted action by policymakers, businesses, and households.”
Currently, Africa boasts three megacities—Cairo, Kinshasa, and Lagos—but forecasts suggest seven more cities, among them Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, are set to join the megacity ranks by 2050, each housing over 10 million residents. By projections from the World Bank, Abidjan is also on course to breach the 10-million mark by 2040, with other cities like Ouagadougou, Addis Ababa, and Dakar following closely behind by 2050. Within the next couple of decades, 14 African cities may have reached this megacity status, with urban populations climbing beyond one billion by 2042.
While these burgeoning megacities promise economic and innovation opportunities, experts argue there’s still need for thorough urban planning to make them sustainable. Jessica Thorn, an environmental expert and ARISE fellow at the University of Namibia, stressed how urban growth often outstrips the capacity to provide necessary infrastructure. “This leaves informal settlements to form in vulnerable areas—low-lying regions prone to flooding or steep slopes far from commercial and transport hubs,” she commented. Without appropriate sanitation, these settlements could quickly become hotspots for diseases, all exacerbated under climate risks and rising costs of essentials due to disrupted food supply chains.
WUF12 emphasized the necessity for partnerships between development allies as well as innovative financial models for urban development, reflecting on the broader challenge of urban governance. Established back in 2001 by the United Nations, WUF has long aimed to explore how rapid urbanization affects communities and climate. Since its inception, the forum has convened every two years, with the first event taking place in Nairobi. This year’s edition attracted a record 37,000 delegates with 74 percent hailing from African nations, underscoring the urgent need for dialogue on these pressing issues.
But back on the ground, cities like Kampala face their own challenges of urbanization, particularly since gaining independence. Celebrated for its rich history, Uganda’s capital now grapples with the realities of unplanned urban growth—marked by sprawling slums and overcrowding. A staggering 50 percent of Uganda’s urban populace, with over 60 percent of Kampala's residents, live in slum conditions, pointing to larger systemic problems fueled by neglect and widening inequalities.
The recent narrative calls attention to the urgency of well-planned neighborhoods being not just beneficial, but necessary for the health of communities. Urban expert and real estate advisor Edwin Wabomba emphasizes, “Building well-planned neighborhoods is not just a public duty but also has direct benefits to all of us.” The importance of organized housing cannot be overstated; it maintains value, promotes safety, and builds community strength.
Yet, the stark reality remains unchanged, as many urban areas across Uganda have crumbled under haphazard urban planning. This neglect perplexingly coincided with Uganda celebrating its 62 years of independence. The timing begs the question: are citizens proud of their cities’ development? Unfortunately, the evidence suggests otherwise. Urban areas lack cleanliness, proper order, connectivity, and greenspaces, which contradict the pride one might wish to feel on occasions marking national achievement.
Citizens themselves have played their part, littering the streets and participating in unplanned development. The actions speak volumes and highlight the pitfalls of neglecting proper governance and planning principles. Why else would unplanned developments continue to thrive, with land divided recklessly and poorly aligned structures scattered around? This loose approach to urban design not only muddles architectural integrity but also leads to stagnation of growth and safety.
Comparatively, historical examples from pre-independence governments mark stark contrasts. They understood the importance of street alignment and urban organization, fostering beautiful town centers even now. Why can’t today’s planners aspire to achieve the same standards? Crippling mismanagement makes it unlikely, as urban authorities across Uganda are overwhelmed, lacking meaningful strategies to improve housing access, waste management, and transportation systems.
With 2050 on the horizon, the absence of effective governance today increases the risk of perpetuating neglect and sprawling urban environments characterized by chaos. The solution lies not only with government but must also involve citizens committing to embrace sustainable practices—like adhering to building regulations, managing waste responsibly, and safeguarding green spaces.
Only through concerted collaboration can urban areas evolve to match the legacies expected from nations striving for progress. The outcomes from WUF12 rally attention around the challenges Africa faces and reinforce the pressing need for inclusive, sustainable solutions to navigate the urban future of this vibrant continent.
