A new monumental statue being built in the Senegalese capital of Dakar is seen by some as an African Statue of Liberty or Eiffel Tower. But for many of the nation's poor, it is a waste of money and an abuse of presidential power.
The Renaissance Monument is a $27 million expenditure, and many say President Abdoulaye Wade is ignoring the plight of his people for a self-serving tourist attraction.
"His opponents argue that the colossal creation - built by North Koreans - says more about poor governance than African renaissance.
'People are so frustrated by this,' says opposition leader Abdoulaye Bathily.
Bathily says the statue is the product of a power-drunk president. 'The economy has collapsed. ... The education system is in a crisis. The health system is in crisis. And yet Abdoulaye Wade is squandering public money,' Bathily says. 'So all these things, people are seeing it, and it is creating so much frustration.'"
Read the full story: For Many in Senegal, Statue Is A Monumental Failure
9 Public Land Destinations to Visit This Black History Month
These national monuments, parks, and sites honor and preserve Black history in America.
Akon's City Dream Takes a Tentative First Step
Akoin, the cryptocurrency backbone of a new master planned smart city in Senegal, is available for purchase. Akon City could be the next dream to become a reality.
R&B Artist Akon Plans for $6 Billion City Built From Scratch in Senegal
Akon City would rise from farmland in Senegal, in the tradition of previous master-planned urban areas like Washington, D.C. or Canberra, with ambitions on creating a "very, very African" city with a futuristic take on technology.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority