Addis Ababa: Hosting the inaugural Africa Urban Forum(AUF), Addis Ababa showcased its role as a model city for people-centered urban development, Professor Edgar Pieterse, Director of African Centre for Cities (ACC) said.
Addis Ababa convened the First Africa Urban Forum officially kicked off for a three-day on Wednesday, drawing high-ranking officials from across the continent.
In an exclusive interview with Ethiopian News Agency, Professor Edgar Pieterse, Director of the African Centre for Cities (ACC) at the University of Cape Town, said the city’s focus on integrating children’s needs and prioritizing community-oriented infrastructure, led by Mayor Adanech Abiebie, makes it an ideal venue for hosting the forum.
The city’s approach, which includes focusing on children’s needs and enhancing infrastructure, public spaces, and mobility, goes beyond mere business interests to emphasize holistic development for the next generation.
The professor emphasized the historical significance of the forum and added
this event represents a major step forward to getting urbanization onto the agenda of the African Union and various national governments.
This is a historical occasion, Pieterse noted, as it shows a political agreement on the importance of urbanization for achieving Africa’s potential.
The forum will serve as a crucial platform for cities and stakeholders to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and test new solutions, he pointed out.
With African cities experiencing rapid growth and a surge in startup businesses and economic enterprises, the forum aims to energize participants and foster collaborative efforts to address common challenges, the professor explained.
Prof. Pieterse praised Addis Ababa’s focus on children and community-oriented infrastructure under the leadership of Mayor Adanech Abiebie.
“It’s fitting that Addis Ababa hosts the inaugural Africa Urban Forum, as it exemplifies a people-centered approach to urban development. Mayor Adanech Abiebie’s focus on integrating children’s needs and h
olistic infrastructure planning makes the city a model for others. Addis Ababa’s commitment to prioritizing residents’ well-being and future growth underscores why it’s the ideal venue for this important forum,” he elaborated.
The city’s approach to urban planning emphasizes not just business interests but multifaceted development of people and the next generation, he said.
According to him, various policy ideas related to smart cities, digital technologies, climate resilience, and public transport systems are issues that African cities should deal with.
Pieterse cautioned against getting distracted by high-tech concepts without a solid foundation centered on people’s needs.
He stressed that a people-driven approach, as exemplified by Addis Ababa, should be the starting point for incorporating technology and infrastructure improvements.
One of the forum’s key goals is to boost commitment to devolution and decentralization across Africa, he added, citing an African Union Charter on Decentralization, where
only a few countries have signed it.
Finally, the professor praised Ethiopia’s warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency