GLOBALIZATION AND URBANIZATION IN AFRICA

Scholars present new interpretations of African cities, from the pre-colonial to the modern, set in the context of national and international economy, politics and culture. While providing insights into the evolution of African cities, they also raise issues of vital importance to the survival of African cities. The chapters capture the mixed legacies of colonialism and the lingering consequences of neo-colonialism in a so-called age of globalization.

“Despite the adverse conditions created by colonialism, Cold War politics, orthodox structural adjustment policies imposed on Africa by the Bretton Woods institutions, post-independence authoritarian regimes and military dictatorships, and the new globalization, the books shows that African towns and cities remain vibrant and viable centers for knowledge creation, economic innovation, and experiments in social relations and peaceful coexistence of diverse groups. The contributors to this important volume also provide a critical analysis of the impact of globalization, including colonialism and other external influences, on the development of urban centers, as well as urban life in the continent. This book explores ways in which public policy can be used to enhance the viability of urban centers and improve their ability to continue to serve as centers of excellence.”

-John Mukum Mbacku, Ph.D., Willard L. Eccles Professor of Economics and John S. Hinckly Fellow, Weber State University