EDITORIAL Climate change
Poorer areas in cities worldwide are generally less well supplied with services and amenities, have poorer air quality, and less access to green space – factors with a range of ripple effects on health and educational outcomes. Deprivation is linked to low life expectancy and poor life chances overall.
Africa’ s urbanisation agenda presents a significant opportunity
Research indicates that nearly half of Africa’ s population( over 700 million people) already resides in urban areas, and this figure is projected to double( to 1.4 billion) by 2050 as Africa records an unprecedented rate of urban expansion. To accommodate increasing demand, the temptation to develop new cities on greenfield sites beyond existing city centres is substantial.
While rapid urban growth requires more urban space, ignoring the vital role of retrofitting existing infrastructure risks weakening climate resilience and worsening social inequalities that many African nations are striving to address.
“ Retrofitting serves a dual purpose,” explains Alison Groves, Director of Built Ecology at WSP in Africa.“ It not only enhances the energy efficiency of existing buildings and adopts sustainable practices like water conservation, but it also revitalises underused or redundant structures- such as converting outdated office blocks into housing. The opportunity to retrofit urban infrastructure to be smarter, more sustainable, and more inclusive is key to advancing climate resilience and social equity across Africa.”
By utilising existing building stock to densify urban areas, cities can provide affordable housing near established infrastructure, services, workplaces, and amenities- enabling more people to live in safer, more sustainable environments.
Groves adds:“ It’ s about meeting the challenge of developing people-centred smart cities without widening existing social and economic divides, while ensuring environmental sustainability. We must view our cities through the lens of lived experience- focusing on everything from environmental quality and walkability to connectivity, amenities, and local economic opportunity.”
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