Today half the world’s population live in cities and it is estimated that 3 in 4 people will live in cities by 2050. In a new radio documentary, ‘The Right to a City’ Newstalk presenter and producer Susan Cahill explores how cities in Africa are planning for urban resilience.

‘The Right to a City’ will ask – what is a resilient and sustainable city?

Susan will walk listeners through cities and informal housing settlements in Ethiopia, South Africa and Sierra Leone and will highlight how rapid population growth is impacting on urban infrastructure and services in the region – especially for the poor and marginalised.

‘The Right to a City’ will ask - What is the impact of rapid urbanisation on Africa and how has uncontrolled urbanization coupled with increasing rural to urban migration patterns exacerbated poverty, hunger and marginalization in urban centres in Africa?

LISTEN LIVE: ‘The Right to a City' broadcast on Newstalk on Saturday the 18th of May 2019 from 9pm to 10pm and will be repeated on Sunday the 19th of May 2019 from 7am to 8am.  

CREDITS: ‘The Right to a City’ radio documentary is produced and presented by Susan Cahill and was made with the support of Irish Aid and the Simon Cumbers Media Challenge Fund.

Key Documentary Contributors

Professor Philip Harrison, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Nhlanhla Sibisi, Climate and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Muzi Mkhwanazi, Spokesperson, Pikitup Waste Management, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Jermina Nkoana, Community Worker & Resident of Diepsloot Township, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Caroline Reas, Senior Programme Manager, 100 Resilient Cities, London, UK.

Mzwakhe Khumalo, Research Co-ordinator, Sonke Gender Justice, Diepsloot, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mayor Yvonne Aki Sawyerr, City of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Samuel Sesay, Project Coordinator, Slum Dwellers International/YMCA, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Dr Joseph Macarthy, Executive Director, The Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre, Freetown, Sierra Leone