Physical planning considerations in Africa

Abstract

The major problem in Africa today understands the modern concept of town planning. Just as was true in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, in Africa today physical planning is regarded as a technique for the amelioration of the evils of urban development. Insanitary conditions, congestions, un-economic layout of streets, the inefficient use of public utilities or the absence of adequate sanitary facilities "brought about the enactment of public health laws, plumbing and building codes and regulations which controlled land-use. In short, town planning in Africa is still conceived as a series of restrictive measures against a condition brought about by lack of foresight. Just as in Europe and the United States it was realized that such measures were inadequate to cope with the pressures of uncontrolled and laisser-faire private development, even so it is becoming clearer in Africa today