Visions of urban modernity and the shrinking of public space : challenges for street work in African cities

Abstract

Making cities inclusive is one of the goals of Agenda 2030, and access to publicspaces is identified as an important sub-goal. However, in urban Africa, access by street vendors and other marginalised groups to public spaces seems to be on the decline. This policy note discusses why this is so, what processes lie behind the decline and what the effects are for groups that depend on public space for survival.

<p>This policy note is based on the research project "The demise of the informal city? Economic growth and street work in urban Africa", funded by the Swedish Research Council (grant no 2015-03474). For more information and publications, go to: humangeo.su.se/urbanafrica</p>