This fact took me entirely by surprise: the land size of Namibia is about 3.5x the land size of Ghana. It was a wow moment for me, especially given that there are some 33 million people in Ghana while Namibia has just under 3.5 million according to their most recent census. I was having a … Continue reading Namib Notes III: From Katutura to Matutura: place names and (post)colonial spatial planning
South Africa
[New paper, Open Access] The making of urban informal settlements: Critical junctures and path dependency in governing Abuja, Nigeria
We (Nuhu Ismail, Ana Aceska and myself) are delighted to share with you our co-authored paper that has just been published in the journal Cities. This is the second publication coming out of Nuhu's PhD project/thesis that was successfully defended in March 2023. In this paper, we argue against ahistorical explanations of contemporary urban informal … Continue reading [New paper, Open Access] The making of urban informal settlements: Critical junctures and path dependency in governing Abuja, Nigeria
Look out, the book proofs are in: Sustainable Tourism Policy and Planning in Africa
In addtion to the 8 papers of the SI, we have written a new extensive introduction and conclusion chapters. The introductory chapter outlines what we see as the varieties of sustainability conceptualised in tourism policy and planning strategies in different African countries. In the conclusion chapter, we argue for a reconsideration of what sustainability means for tourism policy and planning in sub-Saharan Africa. We then outline a future research agenda that links tourism policy and planning more intimately to the Sustainable Development Goals .
Cape Chronicles Reloaded: in search of a whale and place names
Every job has its great and not-so-great sides, the perks vs. the drudgery, the good days vs. the not-so-good days. This two-sides-to-every-story phenomenon is most pronounced for me as a tourism academic. On one hand, I get to travel to some amazing destinations but on the other hand, I barely get the chance to see … Continue reading Cape Chronicles Reloaded: in search of a whale and place names
Cape Chronicles III: What will you tell your kids in the year 2066?
In 5o years’ time - i.e. the year 2066 - what do you say to your kids and grandchildren when they ask you: “Dad what were you doing in 2016 when the world seemed to have gone into free fall?", "What did you do when there were so many reports of poverty, violence and injustice … Continue reading Cape Chronicles III: What will you tell your kids in the year 2066?
Cape Chronicles I – Sarafina! and predeparture briefing
For the next 5 weeks I have the privilege of calling Cape Town my home. I am embarking on a research visit to the University of Cape Town and will be hosted by the African Centre for Cities. The aim of my research visit is to explore the planning issues associated with the use of tourism for … Continue reading Cape Chronicles I – Sarafina! and predeparture briefing
Africa is a country…..so is South Africa
Did you know that Africa is a country? Well apparently the cliché is not only used by the average person but even institutions like my own University of Sheffield. Sometimes you just have to laugh these things off but most times it is a tad bit annoying that people keep lumping all the 54 countries … Continue reading Africa is a country…..so is South Africa