Cities of the future should be self-sustaining

What you need to know:

  • The high rate of urbanisation is, however, putting a strain on infrastructure and housing in many cities across Africa.
  • New urban areas need to be developed to absorb the overflow of migrants to Nairobi and other cities.
  • Technology can be integrated into urban living in areas such as work, entertainment, and administration to create a better quality of life.

The reality of urbanisation is profound in the developing world.

More people in Asia and Africa are moving from rural to urban areas in search of the opportunities presented by city life.

The high rate of urbanisation is, however, putting a strain on infrastructure and housing in many cities across Africa.

In Kenya, for instance, Nairobi suffers an acute housing shortage, with a high number of its residents living in informal settlements.

The city loses an estimated Sh50 billion daily in the man-hours lost in traffic jams.

New urban areas need to be developed to absorb the overflow of migrants to Nairobi and other cities.

They need to be developed with the prospective population in mind — youthful, innovative, and entrepreneurial.

TECHNO CITY

They must also be sustainable and inclusive. Cities need to be built as self-sustaining and efficient units, catering for the needs of the population and fostering equality.

This concept was one of those behind the planned Konza techno city, that was envisaged as not just a commercial, administrative, or logistics hub, but also as a place where people can work and live.

It seeks to create an environment where youth can thrive and sharpen their skills.

The idea behind a tech city is to establish an ecosystem that is self-sustaining, efficient, and economical.

Technology can be integrated into urban living in areas such as work, entertainment, and administration to create a better quality of life.

Tech cities should be smart and easily adaptable to change. The management of a smart city entails the gathering and monitoring of information on the various aspects of city life such as traffic flow and population.

The data can then be analysed to draw insights that can be used in planning for health, education, security, and housing.

For instance, city planners can use predictive models to forecast population growth and traffic flow.

This can be used to control the emergence of slums and traffic jams, both of which undermine a city’s competitiveness.

The city of the future should seek to address the inequalities that lead to the mushrooming of informal settlements and crime.

It must offer solutions for affordable housing and access to social amenities such as social halls, schools, and hospitals, and ensure that these facilities are properly maintained.

This calls for a functioning and professionally managed administration that enforces city laws, standards, and plans.

This would rule out cases of collapsed buildings due to flouting of city laws and standards.

Building a sustainable city calls for the efficient utilisation of the limited resources available through planned development and zoning of commercial, residential, educational, medical, and recreational areas.

The land use policies developed for sustainable cities must account for the different needs of the population.

For instance, a smart city would cater for vehicles, motorcycles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

It must provide sufficient water for the citizens and adequate sanitation. Efficiency and sustainability must go hand in hand.

The city of the future must provide ample amenities for residents to comfortably live and work within its confines.