Visions of the City : Accra in the 21st Century

Major cities in West Africa - or the so-called mega-cities, with populations of over six million - are exploding with migrants. Lagos is already the home of over ten million, and over the next forty years it is estimated that the populations and functional boundaries of Abidjan, Dakar, Ibadan and Accra will double or triple. Political instability of states, refugees, the associated problems of violence, poverty, insecurity, and the HIV pandemic compound the challenges facing governments and policymakers, and, as if this were not enough, Accra lies on an earthquake belt. This book is the outcome of a seminar held by the Ghana Institute of Architects in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, Accra. Its contributors write on demographic change and the developing world, and the future of Accra within this context. They envisage a shape of the city, and explore how to provide housing and transport, institute modern and meaningful political and educational institutions, and harness ICT and the growing knowledge economy to the benefit of Ghana's citizens and its role in the sub-region.