Freetown : Options for Growth and Resilience
Cities are where economic development really happens and where the risks from natural hazards are growing. Urbanization in Sierra Leone is occurring at USD 410/per capita, at a far lower level than other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa at similar u...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2019
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/994221549486063300/Freetown-urban-sector-review-options-for-growth-and-resilience http://hdl.handle.net/10986/31286 |
| Summary: | Cities are where economic development
really happens and where the risks from natural hazards are
growing. Urbanization in Sierra Leone is occurring at USD
410/per capita, at a far lower level than other countries in
Sub-Saharan Africa at similar urbanization levels. This
study focuses on Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, that
dominates the country’s urban landscape. A central premise
of policy-making in cities is that the flexibility,
practicality, and focus of local governments make them ideal
players to understand and respond to the needs of their
citizens. Indeed, cities mostly aim their problem-solving at
local conditions. Freetown's population has increased
roughly 10-fold in the last 50 years; similarly-sized
European cities took 150 years to achieve this increase.
Freetown's current economic and social infrastructure
is dilapidated and basic service delivery has fallen short
of population growth. Freetown is, and will likely remain,
the most affected by the prevalent disasters in Sierra
Leone, given its coastal location. Investments in capital
and operational expenditures in the city are very low.
Freetown is not an engine of service delivery, but neither
is it an engine of growth for the country. Freetown lacks
sufficient resources for much-needed investments in
infrastructures and services necessary for its development.
Policy choices made now will determine whether Freetown
becomes an engine or an obstacle for economic transformation
in Sierra Leone. Freetown is growing rapidly but is not
delivering its potential. Purposeful and bold policy is
needed from the incoming government. Similarly, in Sierra
Leone changing current attitudes depends on building a
credible account of how the future will be decidedly
different. This has two parts. 1. Symbolic investments in
the capital city can signal a future of productive
investment and growth. 2. At the same time, supporting
narratives allow citizens to understand that these symbols
form part of a wider plan for the city and the country.For
decades, Freetown has lacked such focused and purpose
policies. The result of this prolonged neglect is visible to
all: the city has become locked into low-productivity, is
unprepared for natural hazards, and is increasingly a
bottleneck to investment in the entire country. The new
Government is a pivotal moment: a rare opportunity for smart
new policies to transform Freetown into a platform for
resilient growth. Freetown can become a city that works. |
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