How can cities evolve to address the challenges of rapid urbanization while fostering inclusivity, creativity, and belonging? Geci Karuri-Sebina, reflecting on decades of work in urban development across Africa and the world, calls for a transformative urban revolution—one that redefines participation and reclaims the soul of our cities.
In the face of rapid urbanization, particularly in regions experiencing lower economic growth, cities risk becoming places of exclusion, monotony, and inequality unless they embrace citizen participation at every level—work, home, and community. Massive urbanization in these areas often stems from deep-rooted structural challenges, including rural-to-urban migration driven by economic necessity, climate displacement, and insufficient infrastructure planning. Understanding these real drivers is essential to addressing urban expansion holistically. An urban revolution is necessary to challenge cities as rigid, hierarchical systems and reimagine them as inclusive, dynamic spaces that reflect the collective hopes and realities of their inhabitants.
Urbanist reflections on cities, particularly in the Global South, reveal persistent issues: marginalized communities hidden from urban life, public spaces designed to exclude, and an emphasis on consumption over creativity. These trends reflect a broader failure to center the imagination and inclusion of all residents in urban design. Cities increasingly appear as products of globalized, uniform templates—shiny «smart cities» disconnected from their unique contexts and communities. In places with lower economic growth, the consequences of these trends are even more severe, as informal settlements proliferate without adequate services, and urban planning often lags behind the rapid influx of people.
For cities to thrive, this approach must be disrupted. The first step in this revolution is reclaiming imagination. Cities must reflect their distinct histories, geographies, and populations, resisting the monoculture of uniform urban planning. Imagination, as a collective process, must allow for creativity and localized solutions that resonate with the diverse experiences of their citizens.
Inclusion, the second pillar of the revolution, requires cities to move beyond token gestures. It must empower all urban actors—indigenous communities, marginalized groups, and newcomers—not just as passive consumers but as active participants in city-making. This participatory process would foster a sense of ownership and belonging, making cities places where people and nature coexist harmoniously.
Finally, institutions must evolve to enable meaningful change. Cities often perpetuate inequalities through entrenched rules and norms, prioritizing economic interests over community well-being. A revolution demands questioning these structures, promoting governance models that co-create solutions with civic actors and ensure cities are for everyone—not just the wealthy few.
Karuri-Sebina’s vision is both a critique of the current urban order and a call to action, urging urban dwellers, leaders, and practitioners to reject cities as places of exclusion, consumption, and conformity. Instead, she advocates for cities as dynamic mosaics of mystery, creativity, and diversity—places that harmonize with nature, nurture community, and feel like home. By questioning our roles and practices and engaging citizens in shaping their environments, she believes we can foster urban spaces that are radically hospitable, responsive, and transformative, laying the groundwork for proud future generations filled with harmony and hope.