Urbanization and Wellbeing in Africa

The Center’s research has over the last 15 years provided a window into the plight of the nearly one billion urban slum dwellers, the extent of intra urban inequities and the gradual erosion of the urban advantage in health in
Africa. We have also demonstrated the positive impact of increased attention and investment by governments and development partners in improving the living condition of slum residents. Emerging challenges such as security
could, however, continue to threaten gains made in improving slum living conditions. Slum growth seems to be an inevitability for sub-Saharan Africa’s rapidly growing cities, and poor health outcomes among slum dwellers will
increasingly influence overall urban and national health indicators. The dearth of evidence as to what works for slum communities demands a sharper focus on systems that can -and should- generate health and improve wellbeing.