Latest News + Insights

Transforming informal settlements in Lagos through community-driven WASH innovation: The Okerube project
The “Informal Settlements as Spaces of Transformative Agency” project focuses on the Okerube community in Lagos to challenge dominant narratives and demonstrate how bottom-up, community-led governance models can deliver sustainable and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions in informal urban settlements.

Creating the conditions for change in Mathare informal settlement, Nairobi
SDI Kenya, through ACRC, is aiming to co-develop solutions with Mathare community members, by devising a holistic waste management system in the area.

How does action research build community and state capabilities?
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts focusing on how urban reform happens, and where ACRC fits into change processes. This post takes a closer look at how ACRC is helping build community capabilities to address urban challenges.

From Margins to Models: Co-creating climate resilience in Lagos community
“From Margins to Models” – a new ACRC action research project being rolled out in the vulnerable coastal informal settlement of Ajegunle Ikorodu, Lagos – seeks to unlock the potential of communities to enhance climate resilience.

Urban economics in action: Addressing African cities’ challenges
Earlier this month, our CEO Professor Diana Mitlin participated at the 9th Urbanization and Development Conference, organised by the World Bank and the International Growth Centre in Cape Town.

Land in her name: Legal titles transforming the lives of women in Nigeria’s Borno State
Through the Systematic Land Titling Project, women across informal settlements in Maiduguri are now registering their land – and receiving statutory rights in their own names.

Systems change for water and sanitation in informal settlements: The Mukuru Special Planning Area
The Mukuru Special Planning Area in Nairobi is home to a population of about 400,000. Akiba Mashinani Trust has partnered with ACRC to document the methodologies, systems and practices employed in expanding water and sanitation services in Mukuru Kwa Reuben through the Special Planning Area, while assessing the outcomes of these interventions.

Moving Accra’s property tax debate forward
Property taxation could prove to be an important source of financing to pay for the infrastructure and public service investments that Accra requires, but implementing new taxes is always politically contentious and a technical challenge. Over three days, participants from ACRC cities, Ghanaian local and traditional authorities, civil society organisations, academia, professional bodies and the media came together to examine the design and administration of property taxation.

How can refugees be better integrated with Nairobi’s communities?
Nairobi City County is taking a significant step forward in fostering inclusive development with its newly launched Refugee Integration and Community Building Strategy (NCRIS). The launch immediately provides refugees and other migrants living in the city with access to public healthcare and city-run schools, and the ability to obtain a business license.

How is ACRC designed to drive urban reform?
This is the third in a series of blog posts focusing on how urban reform happens, and where ACRC fits into change processes. This post takes a closer look at how ACRC adds value to urban reform.
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