Democratic Republic of Congo urbanization review : productive and inclusive cities for an emerging Congo (Francês)

The Democratic Republic of Congo has the third largest urban population in Sub-Saharan Africa (estimated at 43 percent in 2016) after South Africa and Nigeria. It is expected to grow at a rate of 4.1 percent per year, which corresponds to an additional...  Exibir mais + The Democratic Republic of Congo has the third largest urban population in Sub-Saharan Africa (estimated at 43 percent in 2016) after South Africa and Nigeria. It is expected to grow at a rate of 4.1 percent per year, which corresponds to an additional 1 million residents moving to cities every year. If this trend continues, the urban population could double in just 15 years. Furthermore, with a population of 12 million and a growth rate of 5.1 percent per year, Kinshasa is poised to become the most populous city in Africa by 2030. Such strong urban growth comes with two main challenges—the need to make cities livable and inclusive by meeting the high demand for social services, infrastructure, education, health, and other basic services; and the need to make cities more productive by addressing the lack of concentrated economic activity. The Democratic Republic of Congo Urbanization Review argues that the country is urbanizing at differentrates and identifies five regions (East, South, Central, West, and Congo Basin) that present specific challenges and opportunities. The Urbanization Review proposes policy options based on three sets of instruments, known as the “3Is”—Institutions, Infrastructures and Interventions—to help each region respond to its specific needs while reaping the benefits of economic agglomeration. Therefore, it is proposed that the region with incipient urbanization (Eastern region) focus on strengthening institutions that regulate the markets (e.g., land) and provide essential services such as basic education, health care, water, and sanitation. As weprogress to an intermediate urbanization stage (Southern and Central regions) and markets consolidate, linking extraurban and intraurban infrastructure becomes essential. The transport infrastructure linking towns and rural hinterlands can integrate commodity markets, increase inter-regional trade, and facilitate economic specialization. In regions with advanced urbanization (Western region), policy makers should focus on consolidating institutions, increasing investments in liaison infrastructures, and reinforcing targeted interventions and actions to reduce the formation of precarious neighborhoods in Kinshasa, for example. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is at a crossroads. The recent decline in commodity prices could constitute an opportunity for the country to diversify its economy and invest in the manufacturing sector. Now is an opportune time for Congolese decision makers to invest in cities that can lead the country’sstructural transformation and facilitate greater integration with African and global markets. Such action would position the country well on the path to emergence.  Exibir menos -

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