ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the key themes in contemporary African urbanisation. The discourse of the mid-1960s was 'modernisation' and 'take-off; the emphasis was large-scale urban industrial projects; in essence the Marshall Plan which rebuilt war-destroyed Western Europe could build Africa. This is consistent with the view that as capitalism continues to penetrate and develop African political economies are being structured around capital and labour. This is more important than previous distinctions such as traditional/modern, rural/urban and informal/ formal sectors. Africa is the least urbanised yet most rapidly urbanising region of the world. The chapter explores the changing nature of African urban housing. It considers the processes that are changing the nature of unauthorised and low-income housing. The chapter focuses on the commercialisation of unauthorised housing although the processes are similar in the traditional or project housing areas. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
