Africa's new skyscraper cities

[Loki]

Africa's 'new cities': Urban future or utopian fantasies?

(CNN) -- Gleaming skyscrapers towering over upwardly mobile professionals and flashy cars cruising along brightly lit avenues; young urbanites zipping past manicured lawns to enter their luxury condos; state-of-the-art labs fostering tech savvy entrepreneurs' million-dollar ideas.

A glimpse of Africa's urban future or utopian fantasies?

The jury might still be out, but these are the snapshots of urban life being touted by international property developers who are announcing plans for new satellite cities and vast modern compounds across Africa.

They are usually planned to be built from scratch on the edges of the continent's existing metropolises, many of which are creaking under the weight of growing populations and rapid urbanization rates.


Large-scale urban developments are being planned across Africa. One of them is Konza Technology City, a major technology hub designed to foster Kenya's ICT growth.


Spanning some 2,000 acres on the outskirts of the twin cities of Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana, King City is designed to be a mixed-use development with about 25,000 homes.


Eko Atlantic (Nigeria) is intended to be Africa's first modern smart city to be developed on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean. The new city is expected to provide accommodation for 250,000 people and employment opportunities for a further 150,000.



Tatu City, some 15 kilometers north of Nairobi, is being developed by Rendeavour, the urban development branch of Moscow-based Renaissance Group, which is also responsible for several other projects across Africa. The satellite city, whose construction is expected to be completed in 2022, is designed to accommodate about 77,000 people.



Hope City is an ambitious tech project that aims to turn Ghana into a major ICT hub in West Africa. It will include an assembly plant , an IT university and a hospital, as well as housing and recreation spaces. Designed by Italian firm Architect OBR, Hope City will be made up of six towers of different dimensions, including a 75-story, 270 meter-high building that is expected to be the highest in Africa.

[Smaug]

Stay away from RussiaPrussia boss! Intereting article though

[Graham]

What about the rural areas? As I say, you should judge a country by the social economic standing, of it's poorest.

It would be nice, like a Dubai.

[Loki]

What about the rural areas? As I say, you should judge a country by the social economic standing, of it's poorest.

It would be nice, like a Dubai.

Countries like Nigeria's economies are growing very fast. Kenya as well. They will need upmarket offices for large companies, etc, and prime accommodation as well for the lucky few who are getting rich.

[Shah-Jehan]

Countries like Nigeria's economies are growing very fast. Kenya as well. They will need upmarket offices for large companies, etc, and prime accommodation as well for the lucky few who are getting rich.

Libya was quite rich during the times of Gaddafi...

[Loki]

Libya was quite rich during the times of Gaddafi...

True. But in a different sort of way.

[alb0zfinest]

The thing is probably many of these projects will not get realized. The plans are great, but only a few are chosen, or usually they don't come out as advertised. Plus than there is corruption, the money planned for it may be taken. And finally the government although it would like to fund these projects probably will not have the capita, and if it does it probably borrowed money which is never a good idea.

[Loki]

The thing is probably many of these projects will not get realized. The plans are great, but only a few are chosen, or usually they don't come out as advertised. Plus than there is corruption, the money planned for it may be taken. And finally the government although it would like to fund these projects probably will not have the capita, and if it does it probably borrowed money which is never a good idea.

I think it could become a reality.

[Graham]

Countries like Nigeria's economies are growing very fast. Kenya as well. They will need upmarket offices for large companies, etc, and prime accommodation as well for the lucky few who are getting rich.

Can remember when Nigeria had their city against Glasgow, for the Commonwealth Games. Came close to winning, & argued Glasgow was a dodgy place. But now I hear of Sectarian attacks between Christians & Muslims.

It would be better for us all, if Africa's nations had prosperity of course.

[alb0zfinest]

I think it could become a reality.

I really hope so, these people have suffered enough they need some kind of change. But the reality of it is it will probably be as I said. Countries like Ghana though may be able to finance them since ghana is growing at a very fast rate.