Africa is urbanising and expanding at an unparalleled pace, with the population living in cities doubling between 1995 and 2015. To deal with the pressing challenges facing African cities — including rapid urbanisation, climate change, terrorism, and increased risks from natural hazards — the next generation of African researchers must be armed with the training and knowledge that can help to develop effective resilience strategies.
The African Research College on Sustainable Cities aims to train this next generation. A partnership of higher education and research institutions, the virtual college will supervise and provide grants to PhD students and hosts postdoctoral fellows. It will bring together Pan-African experts to share knowledge, learn from each other, and attain a shared understanding of the complexities facing the future of the continent.