Disaster risk reduction: cases from urban Africa

This book brings together the expertise of African scholars and practitioners in urban disaster risk reduction including: Djillali Benouar, University of Science and Technology of Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Khady Diagne, ENDA-Tiers Mode, Senegal, Robert B. Kiunsi, John Lupala, Fred Lerise, Manoris Meshack, Benedict Malele, Ally Namangaya and Emanuel Mchome, Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Abdoulaye Ndiaye, ex-Director Civil Protection, Senegal, Robyn Pharoah and Ailsa Holloway, University of Cape Town, Jacob Songsore, University of Ghana, Legon, Andre Yitambe, Kenyatta University, Kenya.

Rapid urbanization is putting more and more people at risk to natural and technological hazards, the more so as climate change unfolds. But this is not a given future. Urbanization can be a force for improved human security from natural hazards as well as a process that can magnify and concentrate disaster risk. This book develops the argument that rapid urbanization can be seen as an opportunity to develop urban governance and planning regimes that promote political inclusiveness, equity and security from risk. The book addresses three inter-related themes: the urban environment; urban governance and urban risk and its reduction. Its focus is on Africa, the most rapidly urbanizing world region - but it illustrates global processes.