In the sprawling urban landscapes of Africa, a new wave of city planning is emerging, one that could redefine the future of urban development and have significant implications for the energy sector. Rachel Keeton, a researcher at TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, has been delving into the spatial challenges of African New Towns and proposing innovative solutions that could make these developments more sustainable and inclusive.
Keeton’s research, published in the journal ‘A+BE: Architecture and the Built Environment’ (which translates to ‘Architecture and the Built Environment’), focuses on the New Towns that have sprung up across Africa since 1990. These developments, often designed using outdated urban planning models, have struggled to accommodate the informal sector and address climate change threats. The result? Insular enclaves that risk exacerbating spatial segregation and leaving adjacent communities without access to essential services.
“These New Towns, as they stand, are not just missing opportunities for social inclusivity, but they’re also not future-proof,” Keeton explains. “They’re not designed to adapt to climate change or to integrate with the surrounding natural landscapes.”
Keeton’s research aims to change that. By combining empirical data from fieldwork in seven African countries with a comprehensive literature review, she identifies shared spatial challenges and proposes a set of adaptive planning and design principles. These principles, tested through case studies and workshops in Kenya and Zanzibar, offer a more sustainable and inclusive approach to New Town development.
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? As cities grow and evolve, so too does their energy demand. By designing New Towns with adaptability and sustainability in mind, there’s an opportunity to integrate renewable energy solutions and reduce overall energy consumption. Moreover, inclusive planning can ensure that energy access is equitable, benefiting both the New Town residents and adjacent communities.
Keeton’s research also bridges a significant gap between academia and practice. By providing a practical, adaptable framework for planners, developers, and decision-makers, she’s offering a toolkit for creating more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities.
As Africa continues to urbanize, the lessons from Keeton’s research could shape the future of urban development on the continent and beyond. By embracing adaptive planning principles, cities can become more than just collections of buildings—they can become vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities that are prepared for the challenges of the future.
In the words of Keeton, “The principles we’ve developed are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They’re a starting point, a framework that can be adapted to meet the unique needs and urgencies of different sites. But most importantly, they offer a path towards more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development.”