Presentation OMARA ATUBO

PRESENTATION BY PRESENTAZIONE DI DANIEL OMARA ATUBO AT THE FORUM AL FORUM

“DEVELOPING THE REGIONS OF AFRICA AND EUROPE “SVILUPPARE LE REGIONI DELL’AFRICA E DELL’EUROPA Taormina San Domenico Palace Hotel October 7 and 8, 2010 7 e 8 ottobre 2010

Reproduced by The European House-Ambrosetti for internal use only.

Riprodotta da The European House-Ambrosetti per esclusivo uso interno.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST?

A presentation by the Hon. Daniel Omara Atubo- Minister of Lands, Lands housing and Urban Development: Uganda

Abstract  Urban development in Africa has been

constrained by the high urbanization rate which is far much beyond the capacity of African Governments to handle in terms of planning and service provision.

Factors for high urbanization rate in Africa  Natural Population increase  Rural Urban migration  Historical factors like administrative headquarters for traditional chiefs

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Factors cont’d  Insecurity and wars  Decentralization: e e.g., g in Uganda the

headquarters of any new district automatically becomes a town council.  Climate change that causes displacement  Globalization that has facilitated networking.  Etc  This paper will highlight urban Development issues in Africa with emphasis for Uganda.

Introduction  UNHABITAT observes that Africa is

urbanizing faster than any other continent .

By 2030, 51% of African population is expected to be urban, estimated to be approximately 800million people, this will be more than today’s total number of urban dwellers in the entire western hemisphere.  By 1950, 1950 only two cities in Africa with one million inhabitants- Cairo and Alexandria

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Introduction cont’d  While amore recent estimate suggest that

Africa s annual urban population growth rate Africa’s has declined from 5.0 to 4.0%, the rate remains the highest of any world region (Harsch 2001:2), its therefore forecasted that African continent will experience unprecedented p urbanization over the next quarter century.

Urbanization trends INDICATOR WORLD

AFRICA

UGANDA

Urban 50% Population (%)

37%

15%

Population living in Slums

32%

72%

60%

Urban Population Growth Rate

2.92%

4.0%

5.1%

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Urban development challenges in Africa  Coping with the high rate of urbanization and

population explosion to urban areas for various reasons; social, economic & political  Urban poverty and unemployment.  Overcoming infrastructural deficiencies due to increasing demands of ever increasing Population e e.g. g water water, Power, Power Transportation, Transportation Housing.  Slums and informal settlements

Challenges cont’d  Limited resources associated with declining

revenues especially from urban authorities authorities, thus affecting service delivery and various development programmes  Environmental degradation.  Urban decay  Limited Li it d d data t ffor urban b planning l i and d development; socioeconomic and topographic

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Existing Opportunities for Urban development in Uganda  Strategic St t i location: l ti att the th h heartt off E Eastt and d

Central Africa- making it a regional trade and investment hub.  Well developed urban institutional and legal framework.

Opportunities cont’d  Liberal economic regime: free inflow and out

flow of capital for current and capital accounts, 100% foreign ownership of investments allowed, Government support to privatization.

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Opportunities cont’d  Available land for urban development; towns

still open. open  Excellent climate and strong Natural resource base.  Peace and stability in the country favorable for investment and development.

Possible areas of investment  The above challenges can mainly be tackled

by heavy investment in infrastructure development, power sector and employment creation for both urban and rural areas of Uganda and investment in the following specific sectors:  Real R l estate t t development/housing d l t/h i estates. t t  telecommunication and power sector.  Agro processing

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Possible areas cont’d  Education sector to tap the East and Central

African market. market  Construction / Infrastructure development through PPP.  Power generation and distribution.  Tourism and service sectors; hotels, parks, resorts t etc t  Oil exploration

Conclusion  Whereas Africa is urbanizing at such a high

rate and various challenges challenges, this can be transformed through heavy investment in infrastructure, power sector, industrialization among other sectors for orderly urban and economic development of Uganda and Africa in general g

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