African Urban Indicators: Current and Projected Urbanization and Associated Indicators

摘要

Urbanization is proceeding more rapidly in A.I.D. Africa Bureau countries than is the economic growth needed to enhance the quality of urban life. This paper presents key indicators on urbanization and socioeconomic development to help the Bureau define country priorities for urban assistance. After a statistical overview of urbanization in these countries, the paper examines population concentration in the largest cities, per capita rates of economic growth, selected social welfare indicators, and the interrelationship between urbanization and economic development, and then projects urbanization levels and rates to the year 2000. Results suggest that priority be accorded those countries (identified by name) which are: (1) most likely to experience substantially increased urban pressure or are already urbanized beyond their level of economic development; and (2) most likely to experience domestic resource problems if their rate of economic growth does not increase substantially. Two annexes, one providing 18 figures on urbanization and related indicators, the other explaining the importance of urban policy formation within the national development context, and 14 tables are included.