Search Results (338)

Urbanisation reshapes Land Cover and Land Use (LCLU) by driving deforestation, wetland loss, and the conversion of natural and agricultural areas into built environments. However, integrated analyses of LCLU change in response to climate variability in topographically complex, rapidly urbanising African cities remain limited. Therefore, this study examined 2000–2024 LCLU changes in hilly Gasabo District (Kigali, Rwanda) using 30 m Landsat imagery and a Random Trees classifier (92.7% accuracy, 70/30 train-test split), with 2032 projections via a population-driven hybrid trend model. Population estimates/projections 320,516 in 2002 to 967,512 in 2024, 1.41 million by 2032, were derived from Rwanda’s census data and exponential growth modelling (calibrated to 5.05% annual growth). Rapid population growth has driven a 539% expansion of Built-up Areas, accompanied by notable declines in cropland and Forest. Local climate trends (Meteo Rwanda stations) aligned with global datasets (ERA5-Land and CHIRPS): rainfall fluctuation and temperature rose, with strong correlations between population-driven Built-up Areas expansion. From 2024 to 2032, LCLU projections indicate that Built-up Areas will continue to expand by 29.5%. Cropland was forecast to decline to 15.9%, while Forest loss slowed to 5.7%. MLR analysis revealed strong correlations between population-driven expansion of Built-up Areas, cropland/forest loss, warming, and rainfall fluctuations in Gasabo. An ARDL model was applied to address multicollinearity among LCLU predictors, which limited the interpretation of individual coefficients, and confirmed the core MLR correlation trends, with statistically significant (p < 0.05) coefficients. The results highlight the need for data-driven spatial planning in Gasabo (stricter zoning, high-rise buildings, targeted reforestation, climate-resilient green infrastructure) to mitigate population and urbanisation-driven environmental degradation. Full article

In August 2022, the Pearl River flooded portions of Jackson, Mississippi and temporarily closed the city’s water treatment plant, leaving most citizens without access to safe drinking and potable water for more than a month. This event punctuated an ongoing water crisis that had lingered for decades in this predominately African American city. We employ a social production of disaster approach to reveal aspects of slow violence perpetrated against disadvantaged peoples that increased their collective vulnerability to flood risks and limited their access to safe water. Using survey data collected one year after the flood, we examine event-related psychosocial stress as measured by the Impact of Event Scale and associated risk factors related to Conservation of Resources Theory. Multivariate analysis indicates that resource losses from the flood, health concerns about water quality, and trust in government were significantly related to elevated levels of psychosocial stress. Although the 2022 Pearl River flood can be treated as a discrete event, a social production of disaster perspective situates the flood in terms of its cascading effects and cumulative impacts on the city’s water infrastructure and citizens who depend on it. Full article

This study presents an assessment of ambient air quality in Chichiri and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) locations, Blantyre City, Southern Malawi. The study aimed at assessing temporal trends, identifying exceedance of thresholds, investigating relationships between pollutants and meteorological factors, and exploring the predictability of air quality index (AQI). Five pollutants: ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{2.5}$, ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{10}$, ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{x}}$, ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_2$ and TVOC were assessed over a two-month period using fixed low-cost sensors. Daily and hourly temporal analysis showed that pollutants peak during morning and evening hours. A significant number of exceedances for ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{2.5}$ and ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{10}$ were observed when compared to indicative thresholds. Chichiri exhibited more frequent AQI classifications in the “unhealthy” range. A strong positive relationship between ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{2.5}$ and ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{10}$ (r $=$ 0.84) and positive correlations between ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_2$ were observed. A multiple linear regression model achieved a high coefficient of determination (${\mathrm{R}}^2$ $=$ 0.938), identifying ${\mathrm{P}\mathrm{M}}_{10}$ and ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ as dominant predictors of AQI variability. Temperature and humidity showed modest inverse relationship with AQI, suggesting dispersion effects. A comparison with African cities showed that the study areas’ pollution levels were within regional norms, but that there is a need for targeted mitigation. These findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring, data-driven policy making and regional collaboration to address urban air quality challenges. Full article

Most of the Peruvian inquisitorial processes from the 17th and 18th centuries in the Americas addressed love spells, and not the crimes of heresy they were originally meant to adjudicate. Thanks to the records that have been preserved from the Court of the Peruvian Inquisition, we know that many of the women in the Andes habitually resorted to the practice of witchcraft, divination and prognostication, and that it played an important cultural and social role searching for an update in the future in loving terms. From aristocrats to the displaced, whether European immigrants, Native Americans, or enslaved Africans, witchcraft connected all these female groups in such colonial cities. What were their sorcery practices? What were they trying to achieve with their doings? What does a study of the inquisitorial processes allow us to understand about the social and cultural function of female sorcery? These are some of the questions we answer in this article. Full article

This study critically engages the ongoing national conversation and policy discourse on land expropriation without compensation in South Africa, offering both analytical insight and a principled position. It presents a qualitative, normative-analytical inquiry grounded primarily in critical documentary analysis of legislation, jurisprudence, and land reform scholarship. The study situates the contemporary debate within South Africa’s broader historical and structural context, where patterns of land dispossession continue to shape persistent spatial inequality and exclusion. The analysis proceeds from the premise that meaningful urban spatial transformation cannot be realised without addressing the structural constraints embedded within existing land governance and spatial planning systems. In this regard, debates around land expropriation are not simply questions of property law or economic policy but are fundamentally connected to broader concerns of spatial justice, economic inclusion, and social equity. These concerns are particularly salient when considering emerging imaginaries of African urban futures, including the notion of the Pan-African City—an urban formation envisioned as spatially integrated, socially inclusive, and reflective of shared continental aspirations for equitable development. The central argument advanced in this study is that unless South Africa gives serious and programmatic attention to land expropriation—moving beyond token or partial policy measures—the structural conditions necessary for such inclusive urban futures will remain unattainable. In this sense, any vision of a Pan-African City within South Africa’s borders risks remaining short-lived, if not altogether specious. To fully engage this debate, the paper unpacks and interrelates the concepts of land expropriation, compensation, expropriation without compensation, economic inclusivity, social equity, spatial justice, and the Pan-African City. These concepts cannot be adequately understood independent of the distinctly South African context—a context shaped by a history of racialised dispossession, deeply entrenched spatial inequalities, and the limitations of both first-generation (restitution, redistribution, tenure reform) and second-generation (e.g., the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act) land reform initiatives. The point advanced is unequivocal: without resolving the land question, sustainable housing and human settlement solutions in South Africa will not materialise. Anything less risks entrenching a democratic façade atop an unresolved colonial, segregationist, and apartheid foundation. Full article

This study explores how demystifying Earth Observation (EO) through co-creation pathways and local language can enhance flood resilience and environmental governance in African informal cities. Using case studies from Maiduguri and Hadejia, Nigeria, the research employed a transdisciplinary mixed-methods design combining rapid evidence assessment, surveys, participatory workshops (n = 50 stakeholders) integrating simplified Sentinel-1/2 demonstrations, indigenous knowledge mapping, and pre-/post-engagement surveys on EO familiarity. Non-expert participants were trained to interpret satellite data using local language, linking distant teleconnections with local flood experiences. The findings revealed significant gains in EO literacy and improvements in interpretive confidence, gender-inclusive participation, and policy engagement. Localizing the curriculum enabled participants to translate technical EO concepts into locally meaningful narratives, fostering cognitive empowerment and practical application in flood preparedness and advocacy. The study demonstrates that data democratization is not only a matter of open access but also of open understanding. It advances a conceptual model linking Demystification, Literacy, Empowerment, Co-Production and Resilience, positioning EO as a social technology that bridges scientific and indigenous knowledge systems. The findings contribute to debates on decolonizing environmental science and propose a potential participatory framework for integrating EO into community-based adaptation, legal accountability, and policy reform across Africa’s rapidly urbanizing landscapes. Full article

Smart cities utilise advanced technology to enhance the quality of life, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability of citizens. This transformation is both vital and complex in Africa due to rapid urbanisation and socio-economic challenges. This paper examines the prospects, challenges, and pathways toward smart city development in African cities. The study was conducted through a systematic literature review and case study analyses of initiatives for smart city development in Africa. The findings indicate that infrastructure deficits, financial constraints, weak policy frameworks, limited expertise, and socio-economic inequalities are the key challenges. The high use of mobile technologies, innovation hubs, and increasing policy support have created opportunities. Strategic actions for transforming African cities include strengthening infrastructure through public–private partnerships, developing financial mechanisms, creating coherent policies, promoting inclusivity, and building technical capacity. Technologies such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are among the key enablers, supporting the growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), improving infrastructure, fostering inclusive governance, managing resources sustainably, and enhancing public services such as healthcare and education. The study also proposes a conceptual framework for smart cities in Africa and outlines a pathway to unlock the continent’s potential for smart cities. It is argued that African cities need to address systemic challenges, leverage unique opportunities, and ensure inclusivity at the urban level. An integrated approach that utilises advanced technologies and prioritises sustainability and resilience is essential for developing smart and inclusive cities. Full article

Reliable prediction of energy consumption for electric motorcycles in sub-Saharan Africa requires models that reflect local riding conditions and measured component behaviour. This paper presents a validated, physics-based simulator for the Roam Air electric motorcycle that combines longitudinal dynamics with empirically derived motor and inverter efficiency maps obtained from dynamometer testing. The model ingests measured drive cycles and elevation-derived gradients to compute tractive effort and battery power flow and is validated against six real-world city and highway trips in Nairobi. The simulator reproduces temporal battery-power profiles with strong correlations between 0.87 and 0.91 and predicts energy per distance with small positive bias, achieving errors between 0.4% and 11.3%, where the measured energy consumption per distance ranges between 30.2 and 51.7 Wh/km. A sensitivity analysis quantifies the influence of key design parameters, and a scenario analysis assesses the impact of representative African driving conditions, including terrain, posture, payload, and surface type. The resulting framework is compact, transparent, and potentially adaptable to a wide range of electric two-wheelers, supporting design optimisation and electrification planning in the region. Full article

Background/Objectives: It is well documented that people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have nearly twice the risk of incident acute myocardial infarction compared to the general population. The elevated risk stems from a multi-layered interplay of factors such as persistent immune activation inherent to HIV infection and higher prevalence of traditional risk factors associated with nutritional needs. A large proportion of people living with HIV (PWH) reside in Sub-Saharan African countries such as Tanzania; however, there is a dearth of data on nutrition, particularly fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, a key factor in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to contribute to the growing literature on CVD prevention for PWH globally. Methods: We conducted secondary analyses of original data collected from a study using the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS survey among PWH and the general population in Mwanza City between December 2018 and May 2019. Approval for the parent study was obtained from Bugando Medical Center. Multinomial logistic regression analysis examined F&V intake and associated factors between PWH and people living without HIV (PWoH) using sex, employment, and BMI. Results: A total of 537 participants (277 PWoH and 260 PWH) were included in the analysis. PWH were more likely to consume fruits ≥ 4 days per week than PWoH (38% vs. 25%, p = 0.002), whereas vegetable intake did not differ significantly between groups. Fruit intake was higher in males (OR = 5.63; 95% CI: 2.48–12.79) and employed individuals (OR = 3.85; 95% CI: 1.82–8.14). Conclusions: PWH were more likely to consume more fruits than PWoH in this study, a phenomenon that is more novel than previous research. These findings are encouraging to support nutrition-based interventions for PWH who are at a higher risk of CVD. Full article

Accurate mapping of land use and land cover (LULC) is crucial for various applications such as urban planning, environmental management, and sustainable development, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. African cities such as Yaoundé, Cameroon, are particularly affected by this rapid and often uncontrolled urban growth with complex spatio-temporal dynamics. Effective modeling of LULC indicators in such areas requires robust algorithms for high-resolution images segmentation and classification, as well as reliable data with great spatio-temporal distributions. Among the most suitable data sources for these types of studies, Sentinel-2 image time series, thanks to their high spatial (10 m) and temporal (5 days) resolution, are a valuable source of data for this task. However, for an effective LULC modeling purpose in such dynamic areas, many challenges remain, including spectral confusion between certain classes, seasonal variability, and spatial heterogeneity. This study proposes a hybrid deep learning architecture combining U-Net and Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) layers, allowing the spatial structures and temporal dynamics of the Sentinel-2 series to be exploited jointly. Applied to the Yaoundé region (Cameroon) over the period 2018–2025, the hybrid model significantly outperforms the U-Net and ConvLSTM models alone. It achieves a macro-average F1 score of 0.893, an accuracy of 0.912, and an average IoU of 0.811 on the test set. These segmentation performances reached up to 0.948, 0.953, and 0.910 for precision, F1-score, and IoU, respectively, on the built-up areas class. Moreover, despite its better performance, in terms of complexity, the figures confirm that the hybrid does not significantly penalize evaluation speed. These results demonstrate the relevance of jointly integrating space and time for robust LULC classification from multi-temporal satellite images. Full article

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are crucial for mitigating flood risks in vulnerable ecosystems, yet their effective application remains inconsistent. This study synthesises global literature to systematically map EIA methodologies, evaluate the extent of hydrological integration, and analyse the evolution of practices against policy frameworks for flood-prone areas. A scoping review of 144 peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and one book chapter (2005–2025) was conducted using PRISMA protocols, complemented by bibliometric analysis. Quantitative findings reveal a significant gap where 72% of studies lacked specialised hydrological impact assessments (HIAs), with only 28% incorporating them. Post-2016, advanced tools like GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological modelling were used in less than 32% of studies, revealing reliance on outdated checklist methods. In South Africa, despite wetlands covering 7.7% of its territory, merely 12% of studies applied flood modelling. Furthermore, 40% of EIAs conducted after 2016 excluded climate adaptation strategies, undermining resilience. The literature is geographically skewed, with developed nations dominating publications at a 3:1 ratio over African contributions. The study’s novelty is its systematic global mapping of global EIA practices for flood-prone areas and its proposal for mandatory HIAs, predictive modelling, and strengthened policy enforcement. Practically, these reforms can transform EIAs from reactive compliance tools into proactive instruments for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land). This is essential for guiding future policy and improving EIA efficacy in the face of rapid urbanisation and climate change. Full article

The West African Sahel suffered an unprecedented hot season during spring 2024 especially marked by noticeable heatwave episodes in the urban context of Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, where significant impacts were reported. These heat events are analyzed to link hazards with impacts and improve early warning systems in the under-recognized Sahel context. Using observational data from the Burkina Faso National Meteorological Agency and the European reanalysis, ERA5, anomalies of both daily maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperatures were analyzed. The results show that, during the first half of 2024, monthly Tmax and Tmin anomalies were highly positive compared to the reference period 1991–2020. A total of four daytime and one nighttime heatwave events were detected. The longest daytime heatwave lasted six days with observed Tmax reaching 44.5 °C. The unique nighttime heatwave was at least twice as long as the longest daytime heatwave, persisting 13 days between late April and early May. In addition, the heat was not evenly distributed spatially as some districts were significantly hotter than the rest of the city, suggesting possible urban/local effects. These results underscore the occurrence of exceptional heat in 2024 and the need for efforts towards heatwave risk mapping and management in African cities. Full article

Flooding is one of Africa’s most impactful natural disasters, significantly affecting human lives, infrastructure, and economies. This study examines the spatial and temporal distribution of historical flood events across the continent from 1927 to 2020, with a focus on fatalities, affected populations, and economic damage. Data from the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), the fifth generation of bias-corrected European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA5), and the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) observational datasets were used to calculate extreme precipitation indices—Consecutive Wet Days (CWD), annual precipitation on very wet days (R95PTOT), and Annual Maximum Precipitation (AMP). Spatial analysis tools and the Mann–Kendall test were used to assess trends in flood occurrences, while Pearson correlation analysis identified key meteorological drivers across 16 African capital cities for 1981–2019. A flood frequency analysis was conducted using Weibull, Gamma, Lognormal, Gumbel, and Logistic probability distribution models to compute flood return periods for up to 100 years. Results reveal a significant upward trend with a slope above 0.50 floods per year in flood frequency and impact over the period, particularly in regions such as West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana), East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania), North Africa (Algeria, Morocco), Central Africa (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo), and Southern Africa (Mozambique, Malawi, South Africa). Positive trends (at 99% significance level with slopes ranging between 0.50 and 0.60 floods per year) were observed in flood-related fatalities, affected populations, and economic damage across Regional Economic Communities (RECs), individual countries, and cities of Africa. The CWD, R95PTOT, and AMP indices emerged as reliable predictors of flood events, while non-stationary return periods exhibited low uncertainties for events within 20 years. These findings underscore the urgency of implementing robust flood disaster management strategies, enhancing flood forecasting systems, and designing resilient infrastructure to mitigate growing flood risks in Africa’s rapidly changing climate. Full article

This study evaluates urban growth and access to drinking water in Bukavu from 1980 to 2024, combining diachronic Landsat image analysis, demographic and geospatial data, and household surveys. Bukavu’s population rose from 280,000 to over 2 million, with an annual growth rate of 4.57%, doubling every 16 years. The urbanized area expanded from 17 km² in 1984 to nearly 50 km² in 2024, with progressive densification in risk-prone zones such as steep slopes and wetlands. Theoretical access to drinking water is 61%, falling below 20% in informal neighborhoods. REGIDESO produces 25,000–30,000 m³/day, while the estimated demand is 70,000–72,000 m³/day, creating a deficit of over 30,000 m³/day. Households rely on public standpipes (45%), unimproved sources (33%), and the parallel market (44%), with average collection times of 45 min. High-density areas show elevated health risks, with 57% of water samples contaminated by Salmonella and 36% contaminated by E. coli. Land tenure insecurity affects 29.7% of households. Statistical analysis indicates strong correlations between distance and collection time (r = 0.963) and moderate correlations with disease occurrence (distance r = 0.582; time r = 0.411). These findings demonstrate that rapid urban sprawl, informal settlement, and weak institutional capacity significantly constrain water access, contributing to health risks and highlighting broader implications for African cities experiencing similar growth patterns. Full article

Groundwater is increasingly relied upon in cities, particularly during drought, yet its management often lacks coordination and systems-based decision-making. Effective governance requires inclusive participation across sectors and scales, engaging actors with diverse knowledge, experiences, and priorities. In cities, this is challenging due to the wide range of roles and responsibilities tied to groundwater. This study examines the value of urban water metabolism analysis (UWMA) for enhancing groundwater governance in Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa—both recently affected by severe drought. Through a series of Learning Labs, we convened groundwater-related actors to co-develop a shared understanding of urban water systems. We brought together two methods of systems enquiry, UWMA and governance network analysis to explore physical stocks and flows of water across metropolitan boundaries with governance processes shaping groundwater management. The UWMA revealed that, prior to the 2015 drought, Nelson Mandela Bay’s water supplies were more diversified than those of Cape Town, despite Cape Town progressively pursuing managed aquifer recharge and wastewater reuse. The governance analysis surfaced the diversity of actors influencing groundwater flows across the public, private, and civil society sectors, yet highlighted the fragmented nature of the network, with geohydrology and engineering consultants often acting as intermediaries. This research found that UWMA was perceived to be most useful at larger scales (e.g., watershed/urban scales) and was considered a valuable tool for strategic discussion, though clearer language would increase accessibility. We conclude that UWMA helps identify knowledge gaps, integrate diverse perspectives, and foster stakeholder cooperation. Coupled with scenario planning, it can support participatory and inclusive decision-making. Full article