In this article, Russel Southwood contrasts the innovation in tech hubs around Africa with the decayed state of the built environment in which they are located highlighting how traffic is the defining characteristic of so many African cities.
Capetown is the only exception and it has won the right be called 'World Design Capital 2014'. Southwood goes into some detail about initiatives that Capetown has undertaken to be able to take leadership in this space and inspire creativity amongst its inhabitants.
Matthew Farmer's insight:
All this African tech innovation deserves a more enabling environment. The role of design and city planning may not be the #1 priority on many stakeholders' lists but its certainly a factor.
What can we learn from what Capetown is doing and apply to other cities on the continent? Southwood mentions Bulawayo but what can we do in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Cairo and all the other innovation hubs on the continent?