Sustainable African Urban Futures: Stocktaking and Critical Reflection on Proposed Urban Projects

African cities are receiving increased attention from corporate interests, investors, and property developers, and urban scholars and planners are beginning to reflect what kinds of cities are in the making and which urban projects should be emphasized to produce sustainable environments. There is groundswell of interest in promoting new satellite cities, new central business districts, and retrofitting existing urban development through the application of green technologies. At the same time, urban scholars and civic organizations are vocal in promoting an alternative agenda based on the inclusion of slum urbanism in any future city equation that seeks to embrace sustainability. The core ideas of these opposing camps are the antithesis of each other. A more productive way forward is to pursue a dual track that allows for showcase and iconic new urban projects while focusing special attention on slum urbanism and creative thinking that links the two approaches and situates urban projects within a sustainable development paradigm.