Higher education and urbanisation Universities play a vital role in cities, creating infrastructure, boosting business and developing understanding The role universities play in Africa’s cities is too often ignored, forgotten or viewed as irrelevant. Institutions of higher education are rarely considered part of an urban community. Instead they are viewed as elite spaces or “ivory towers” that are far removed from activities in their immediate metropolitan vicinity. But as economic development continues apace across the African continent, universities and the higher education sector are in a good position to address the opportunities and challenges that urban expansion brings, particularly in…
