African urbanization: dependent linkages in a global economy.

Abstract

"The colonial experience drastically altered the indigenous urban system in Africa, replacing it with a European-driven urban system designed to facilitate the extraction of resources. The urban system and the nature of ties with the colonial power allowed African integration into the world economy only in a dependent fashion. These dependent ties were deepened as the world economy became more globalized in the post-colonial period. The continent rapidly urbanized, with much of the population concentrating in primate cities. This urbanization was not accompanied by economic growth; as a result Africa will soon become a continent of large cities--with urban population they cannot physically and economically support."