Deconstructing Africa's Urban Space: Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning Challenge

Abstract

In this chapter, an analysis of the relationship between sustainable development and spatial planning, and how that shapes the urban space is presented. While the literature is replete with sustainable development and spatial planning research, little is known about the link between these two distinct but interrelated concepts, and how this relationship is unfolding in the production of the urban space in regions experiencing rapid urban growth, especially Africa. This chapter begins with an exploration of the emerged and the emerging notions of sustainable development and spatial planning with an African focus, and further reviews the theoretical foundation and empirical evidence at the interface of regional and national scales. Findings show a positive theoretical and strong complementary relationship between sustainable development and spatial planning, both normative and distributive aims. However, their manifestation in the production of the urban space in Africa is characterised by poor local content due to, inter alia, limited state agency commitment, colonial legacy impediments and the influence and agenda of international organisations. Recommendations to improve this relationship in urban Africa are proffered.