The future of cities is in Africa. Thirteen of the twenty largest megacities in the world will be in Africa by the end of the century. African cities will double in size by 2050. That explosion in growth has already begun. Much of these cities’ systems and infrastructure has yet to be built. A new model of urban growth can take hold in Africa.
Who are the urban innovators currently shaping the future of African cities and how can they be supported? What lessons can African urban practitioners and innovators learn from the work of researchers, investors and urban practitioners on how cities have evolved globally? What trends will likely drive Africa’s urban future? During this event we will explore these questions through the perspective of leading urban practitioners and innovators. Utopia will also announce its Lagos Urban Innovation Challenge and its broader work in supporting urban innovation across Africa.
Contributors:
1) Edward Glaeser – Professor of Economics at Harvard University and author of the best selling book, Triumph of the City.
2) Abosede Alimi – Director of Strategy, Funding and Stakeholder Management at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund
3) Miriam Roure – Senior Director at URBAN-X
4) Astrid Haas – Policy Director at the International Growth Centre
5) George Kibala Bauer – Advocacy Manager at the GSMA Mobile for Development Utilities Programme
6) Emmanuel Adegboye – Africa Strategy Lead, Utopia (Moderator)