Challenges, Opportunities and Potential Solution Strategies for Environmentally and Socially Responsible Urban Development of Megacities in Africa

Cement and concrete construction inevitably impact on societies. By exploiting resources, modifying the landscape and facilitating the mobility of people and movement of goods and services, concrete construction activities are directly linked to climatic effects, local economies, and the socio-economic well-being of urban dwellers. Today’s rapidly accelerated urbanisation inevitably coins global societies all over the world, particularly in Africa, where the expected movement from rural to urban environments along with a significant population increase will reach unprecedented megacity dimensions. Megacities are already under massive socio-economic, cultural and infrastructural pressure today, and the future predictions indicate that complex challenges will need to be tackled. However, the future developments present both challenges and opportunities at the same time, since due to lacking existing solutions unprecedented environmentally and socio-culturally responsive solutions have to be developed using readily available local resources. The paper discusses challenges related to rapid urbanisation and highlights African distinct differences. Opportunities and potential material and structural solutions are also discussed, along with the associated architectural and socio-economic implications.