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Is Formalisation Still a Viable Goal in African Cities?

Rethinking Informality and the Future of Urban Planning (Part 5/5)

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Burgert Gildenhuys

17 July 2025

English

uKESA Librarian 2

Blog

Africa

This vlog critically challenges the longstanding assumption in African urban policy that informal settlements are temporary problems to be "fixed" through formalisation such as upgrading, titling, or relocation. It argues that this approach has failed because it misunderstands how African cities actually grow: informally, through systems that are often more adaptive, affordable, and responsive than formal ones. Instead of chasing the unrealistic goal of full formalisation, the vlog proposes a shift toward functional integration -providing services, infrastructure, and support within informal systems, while recognising and working with community structures. It calls for a new urban planning paradigm that engages with informality as the norm, not the exception, and urges governments to act as enablers rather than enforcers. The message is clear: stop chasing the myth of a formal finish line, and start planning for the cities that actually exist.


See below for parts 1 through 4:

 

 

Abstract based on original source.
 

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Website References

Built environment

Colonisation

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ghana

Governance

Human settlements

Informal settlement upgrading

Informal settlements

Informality

Kenya

Livelihoods

Marginal settlements

Nigeria

Peri-urban

Policy

Poverty & inequality

South Africa

Urban

Urban development

Urban planning

Zimbabwe

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