Transit-Oriented Development and Urbanisation in African Cities

The urban population in Africa has been growing at a very high rate, from 27% in 1950 to 40% in 2015 and is projected to reach 60% by 2050 (UN-DESA, 2014). As this population continues to grow, an increasing number of people are moving to cities with the hope of securing better living, higher quality education, good health care and greater economic opportunities. One of the major drivers of urbanisation in Africa is the growth of towns and intermediate cities (Rico, 2016), and this growth is expected to be linked and facilitated by transportation. While urbanisation can be a boost to the national economy, it can also present many infrastructure and humanitarian challenges. The emergence of traffic congestion, inadequate facilities and services, unemployment, poverty and environmental deterioration are common consequences of urbanisation. Currently, Lagos is the largest city in Africa, with a population of 14.4 million at a growth rate of 3.26% ( ), out of which two-thirds of Lagos residents are experiencing these urbanisation challenges.