The new image of African cities

segregation in urban planning and Sub-Saharan city architecture

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present a reflection on the structural phenomena that culminated in the development of urban plans and architectures, with socio-spatial and ethnic-racial segregation, in cities in Sub-Saharan Africa that are currently emerging as megacities, large cities and global cities. For this, initially, issues of colonial history, post-colonialism, pan-Africanism and African philosophy that permeate contemporary discussions of African urbanization and architecture are presented. These same structural issues are then addressed in discourses present in seven African countries (Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Mauritius, Ghana and South Africa), which help to explain perpetuated ethnic, racial, social and spatial aspects in the urban space. Such aspects count on examples of cities in these countries, where overpopulation and high foreign investments in the real estate market aggravate the segregation effects of the population, do not aim to reduce poverty, maintain dependence on old metropolises and create ties with new imperialisms.