Urban Transformations in Sierra Leone : Knowledge co-production and partnerships for a just city

Abstract

With a population over one million, Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, faces serious challenges around provision of services, housing and infrastructure, all exacerbated by climate change. Already, a large share of the Freetown population lives in informal settlements and as many as 70 per cent of the city’s residents are employed on an informal basis.

In 2015, the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC) was established to engage with urban challenges in Sierra Leone through research, capacity building and advocacy activities in areas such as health, land, housing and mobility. SLURC has become a platform for dialogue among urban stakeholders to negotiate the future of the city.

Urban Transformations in Sierra Leone aims to share SLURC’s journey so far, articulating the key findings generated by its various research projects, while also reflecting on the partnerships it has enabled. By bringing together research from different sectors, the book makes a significant contribution to knowledge on Freetown, and demonstrates the potential of transdisciplinary work.

Praise for Urban Transformations in Sierra Leone

‘A deeply embedded text that consolidates learning from Freetown for all cities. Read not just for how a critical city of the global south is taking on social, environmental and developmental justice challenges but on the possibilities of multi-sited, egalitarian partnerships that have been held with care over years of co-produced work, collective knowledge making, and locally rooted practice. A treasure of a text!’ Gautam Bhan, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, India

‘Sierra Leone’s story is incomplete without acknowledging the fortuitous emergence of SLURC as a catalysing force for urban transformation. By prioritising collaboration in different forms, this book showcases how engagements between and among academic, practice, civic and public institutions can foster a better future for communities.’ Taibat Lawanson, University of Lagos, Nigeria

‘This book is timely in telling a story about SLURC and partners who are committed to fostering knowledge co-production that offers unique perspective on co-learning, environmental justice, urban resilience, urban health to mention but a few … a living knowledge piece that points us to the future possibilities and extension of knowledge frontiers in Sierra Leone’s urbanisation journey.’ Shuaib Lwasa, International Institute of Social Studies, The Netherlands

‘The authors contribute comprehensively to our understanding of urban development in Freetown, especially its informal settlements. However, its account of the co-production of knowledge is foundational to the work, elevating it beyond case study and offering reflection and models of good practice.’ Kenneth Lynch, University of Gloucestershire, UK