Latest News + Insights

African megacities and insecurity: Preparing for a complex future
Globally, an historic evolution is in progress. Megacities – defined by the UN as cities with populations of over 10 million – are emergent in Africa.

Politics and informality in Kampala: A conversation with Peter Kasaija
ACRC’s Kampala informal settlements domain lead Peter Kasaija joins Smith Ouma for a conversation around how politics shapes access to basic services in Kampala’s informal settlements.

ACRC kicks off four action research pilot projects
The African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) is commencing pilot action research projects in four African cities: Nairobi, Kenya; Harare, Zimbabwe; Maiduguri, Nigeria and Mogadishu, Somalia.

The value and politics of indigenous knowledge in Africa’s evidence ecosystem
For meaningful evidence-informed decision and policymaking, it is critical that relevant, appropriate and applicable knowledge is generated in a transparent manner.

Co-producing knowledge to shape sustainable cities: Insights from ACRC’s uptake workshop in Kampala
ACRC’s Kampala team held its final uptake workshop at Hotel Africana on 7 September 2023, bringing together policymakers, practitioners and researchers to explore key findings and forge a path to inclusive urban reform strategies.

Cultivating change through creativity: Capturing Covid-19 experiences in Nairobi
As part of the Covid Collective programme, and with support from SDI-Kenya, Muungano wa Wanavijiji conducted research in Hospital Ward in Mathare, with the aim of assessing Covid-19’s impacts upon the community and its resilience in the post-pandemic recovery.

Collaborating to build resilient communities: Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic in Harare
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated inequalities in cities, with lasting impacts over time. One such city is Harare, Zimbabwe, where informal settlements are deemed illegal.

What role can researchers play in driving urban reform?
ACRC hosted a webinar in September 2023 to discuss the role that academics, action researchers and professionals can play in fostering the formation and functioning of urban reform coalitions. In doing so, we wanted to give special focus to how knowledge and evidence can catalyse urban reform coalitions.

Lagos gated communities: Shelter from crime or social segregation?
Gated communities (GCs) are increasingly fashionable in Lagos and have become pervasive in many areas of the city. These restricted access housing areas are planned to privatise usually public spaces.

Webinar: How can knowledge and evidence catalyse urban reform coalitions?
This ACRC webinar will explore the role of researchers in facilitating urban reform, through co-producing knowledge with disadvantaged groups and nurturing dialogue with influential urban actors.
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