Transnational networks of administrating disease and urban planning in West Africa: the inter-colonial conference on yellow fever, Dakar, 1928

Abstract

The organisation, guiding rationale and the conclusions of the conference on yellow fever that was held in Dakar in April 1928 provide us an insight on how inter-colonial networks for administrating disease and urban planning in sub-Saharan Africa operated. During the period of ‘empire building’ national rivalries were strengthened but at the same time there emerged international and inter-colonial coordination. This contemporary cooperation-cum-competition is well reflected in the Dakar conference, throwing some light on the meaning and implications of such transnational networks of scientific expertise. Against this background another issue will be discussed, residential segregation on a racial basis in British and French sub-Saharan Africa.