In this episode, Urban Action Lab founder Shuaib Lwasa talks to ACRC’s co-research director Seth Schindler about "unlearning" mainstream urban planning, ways to scale up micro-level innovations to drive transformation in African cities, and how coproducing knowledge goes beyond just empowering research participants.

Shuaib Lwasa is professor of urban sustainability at Makerere University in Uganda. He recently joined the African Cities Research Consortium's senior management team to lead its capacity strengthening work.

Seth Schindler is senior lecturer in urban development and transformation at The University of Manchester's Global Development Institute and co-research director of ACRC.

Find out more about Shuaib's role in ACRC on our blog.

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This conversation was originally featured on the Global Development Institute podcast.

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Music: Brighter Days | Broke in Summer

Sounds: Zapsplat

This podcast presents the views of the speakers featured and does not necessarily represent the views of the African Cities Research Consortium as a whole.

Stay up to date with the latest publications, announcements and insights from the African Cities Research Consortium:

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In most African cities, more than half of the population live in informal settlements. Residents often lack basic services and infrastructure, also facing unsafe housing and insecure tenure.

Yet upgrading informal settlements is complex and can be contentious. While some successful models have been developed, too little upgrading has taken place in African cities, existing upgrading has lacked affordable options for the lowest-income residents, and tenants are frequently displaced. Moreover, upgrading efforts have not addressed the growing significance of adverse climate change and the risks this poses for residents.

In this episode, social activist and leader of Muungano wa Wanavijiji, Joseph Muturi, talks to Smith Ouma about the challenges of informal settlement upgrading, the importance of youth in climate change advocacy, and why communities have to be at the centre of upgrading initiatives.

Joseph Muturi is leader of Muungano wa Wanavijiji, the Kenyan Slum Dweller Federation, and chair of SDI's board of directors.

Smith Ouma is a postdoctoral fellow at the African Cities Research Consortium, conducting research into informal settlements as part of our domain team.

Read more about informal settlements on the ACRC blog.

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Music: Brighter Days | Broke in Summer

Sounds: Zapsplat

This podcast presents the views of the speakers featured and does not necessarily represent the views of the African Cities Research Consortium as a whole.

Stay up to date with the latest publications, announcements and insights from the African Cities Research Consortium:

> Website
> E-news
> Bluesky
> LinkedIn
> YouTube
> X (Twitter)