Creating Great Public Spaces in Three African Cities

In Africa—like in many other places in the world—public spaces are used for public life, commerce and interaction. However, lack of funds, planning, and maintenance, as well as priority for motorized vehicles, has turned many public spaces into unsafe, unforgiving and unconnected places. Many public spaces are difficult to access, especially for those living in vulnerable situations.

This is especially the case in Kampala, Uganda, Niamey, Niger and Accra, Ghana. There is a significant lack of formal public spaces in each of these cities, particularly in the outlying areas where the slum settlements are located. Of those spaces that do exist, they are degraded, of poor quality, and under constant threat of being developed into other purposes.

To address this issue, HealthBridge implemented pilot public space projects in Kampala, Niamey, and Accra to create improved local policies, plans and designs for safe, inclusive and accessible public spaces. HealthBridge chose these cities because our local partners have strong, constructive relationships with federal and local government officials. In each case, the pilot park projects reflect a different focus: slum dwellers in Kampala; government officials in Niamey; and children in Accra.