The annual rate of urbanization in Kenya is
estimated at about 4.4 percent, which 62 percent higher than the annual rate of
Kenya’s population growth. The unprecedented rate of urbanization, especially
in Africa has been widely regarded as a blessing.
Cities, when they work, are places of
promise, hope and opportunity. The long history of urbanization, especially the
rise of global cities – from ancient Athens to Rome and to Cairo and New York
in the present time – is a chronicle of modernity and prosperity. More
recently, urbanization in China and Korea has been accompanied by significant
income growth.
However, the link between the growth of a
majority of African cities and shared material wellbeing is tenuous. According
to leading urban scholars, like Harvard University’s Edward Glaeser, there has
been an explosion of poor-mega cities over the last three decades. Here in
Kenya, rapid urban growth has been accompanied by deterioration of basic
services, especially housing, water and sanitation, lack of planning and of
course maddening traffic gridlock.
Across our region, the convergence between
rapid urbanization and the youth bulge presents an opportunity and a challenge.
It presents an opportunity because urban spaces that inspire and foster
creativity and innovation. Think about the technology hubs and the burst of
innovation that have become the hallmark of Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Kigali and
Nairobi. Cities have become the magnet of Africa’s youthful talent. A pool of
educated urban population is a veritable engine for East Africa’s
transformation into a knowledge economy.
A survey by the East African Institute of
the Aga Khan University revealed that Kenyan youth are optimistic about the
future, and believe they will have jobs, better access to quality education and
healthcare. Moreover, a majority of the youth will live in urban not rural
spaces. Hence, the views and aspirations of the youth should inform the planning,
management and governance of our cities.
The convergence between the youth bulge and
rapid urbanization presents a challenge because a better future is inextricably
bound with thriving cities. In essence, the success of a majority of young
people today will depend on whether our cities deliver opportunity and shared
prosperity that meets the expectations of the youth.
It will take youth and a broad coalition of
stakeholders working together to create the necessary conditions to build
cities that deliver opportunity and prosperity for all of us. While youth are
disproportionately affected by the problems that beset our young cities, their
engagement could be the source of innovative solutions. Authentic and
meaningful engagement of young people in change processes however, requires creative,
non-traditional approaches.
Through its Young Cities Dialogue programme the East African Institute of the
Aga Khan University is deploying novel methods to gather the experiences and
views of urban youth across East Africa, and to create dialogue aimed at influencing
change through public policy and a call to action by urban youth.
After months of painstaking research through
observation and consultation, a group of Mombasa-based performing artist created
and presented four superb short plays, which describe the experiences of youth
in Mombasa; their struggles and triumphs, their joys and pains, their dreams
and the hard knocks of reality. Drama is simply a form of narrative or story
presented through performance. The point of dramatizing story is to engage
deeply, emotionally through the heart and through the mind.
It was truly inspiring to witness young
people grapple – with sophisticated wit, reflection and wisdom – with issues that
confront urban youth such as unemployment and opportunity, the failures of our
criminal justice system, sexual abuse, pluralism and interfaith understanding.
Moreover, it was exceedingly delightful to listen to the thoughtful exchange
between the protagonist in the play and the audience to find resolution to
complex dilemma. At the heart of the dilemma in each play were moral and
ethical choices, personal agency and the role of civil society, business and
government.
At the end of the Young Cities Dialogue in Mombasa last Saturday, my confidence and
faith in Kenya’s youth was reignited. Youth have the capacity to grapple with
the challenges of urbanization, while taking advantage of the opportunities created
by urbanism.
Very good analysis Dr. Awiti. Where can I access the full report? I am very keen on reading it but can't find it on your website.
ReplyDelete