2015 Theses Master's

Toward Regional Urban Planning Support in Post‐Conflict West Africa

Richardson, Jet

Urban planning strategies and initiatives that focus on one city or simply "the city," inconsiderate of the regional networks, will fail to developed policies that encourage inclusive growth. Thus, creating further economic dependency on the capital and perpetuating historic grievances caused by policies that treat vast regions as homogenous. Two basic questions frame this context: A) How can development strategy introduce a rational planning scheme into a post-conflict context? That strengthens the role of good governance rather than rewarding bad governmental habits. And, B) Under which circumstances could development be done better through the strategic use planning and urban planners? The role of urban planning should be targeted and enhanced in post-crisis redevelopment, and in cities or regions where crisis may be looming urban planning should be strengthened. Three reasons in support of this statement are: A) Urban planners often act as the liaison between multiple government agencies; B) They are trained civil servants without political agendas (often un-elected); and, C) From a local perspective, they understand the context of their cities and regions better than any international aid worker or foreign diplomat. The role of urban planning must strengthen good governance in order to help reduce conflict and perhaps prevent other conflicts from occurring altogether especially where conflict and its causal factors are not restricted by sovereign territorial borders.