As more and more African's move to cities, experts fear the growth of huge slum-filled mega cities, unable to meet the demand for basic services.
Migration of rural residents to urban centers in Africa is threatening to create 'mega-cities' across the continent with potentially devastating consequences.
"With more than half of Africa's 800 million people predicted to live in metropolitan areas by 2020, local authorities were facing severe strains in providing housing, services and security, experts said.
And, with the influx of largely impoverished rural people to cities continuing unabated, the number of African slum dwellers - already estimated at 72 percent of urban residents - would rise exponentially, they said.
The alarming predictions and dire warnings came at the opening of the fourth Africities meeting of African city planners in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, itself one of the metropolises endangered by rapid and unchecked growth."
FULL STORY: Rapid urban growth threatens African cities

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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