Afro-Pessimism in the Discourse on Urban East Africa

Abstract

Rasna Warah argues that the literature on urbanization in Eastern Africa has been dominated by a pessimistic perspective that focuses on slums and informality, while ignoring the positive impact of urban living on the region's poor. Urbanization has been a critical factor in the development of societies, and that low levels of urbanization in Eastern Africa have hindered economic and social progress in the region. Warah urges governments in the region to adopt pro-urban strategies that can harness the enormous potential of cities as engines of economic growth and development.