Protection of environmental assets in urban Africa: Regional and Sub-Regional Human Rights and Practical Environmental Protection Mechanisms

Abstract

The rapid urbanisation is exerting increasing pressure on the continent's natural environment which is negatively affecting its sustainability. A rapidly urbanising Africa is vigorously degrading the environmental resources especially those in urban areas. There is also a growing fear that African governments may become locked into 'a grow dirty now, clean up later' development path that may be irreparable, expensive, and wasteful as well as reduce the welfare of especially vulnerable groups. This trajectory has negative connotation on environmental rights and specially the human rights of vulnerable individuals and communities to health, food, water and housing. However, the protection of these environmental assets can upsurge the efficiency and livability of the rapidly urbanising communities, increase tourism opportunities as well as augment resilience to the impacts of global climatic variations. Adopting a doctrinal methodology and the human rights-based approach, this article explores the intersection between human rights and environmental protection in the context of rapid urbanisation on the African continent. This paper further examines whether and to what extent a regional human rights approach to environmental protection can protect environmental assets in the context of urbanization at the national level in Africa. It relies on primary sources and secondary information. The article discusses the nexus between human rights and environment protection in the African context and addresses key issue of human rights and environmental conservation in the context of urbanisation.

The Impacts of Urbanization Processes on Human Rights

“…Although the reviewed literature points out that only two reviewed articles studied developed nations of Canada (Carmalt, 2014) and the USA (Senese & Wilson, 2013), the unstable growth of cities around the world endangers to become one of the major problems of our urban habitat (Rossi-Espagnet, 1983). However, rapid urbanization and unplanned operations are some of the main factors creating human rights violations in developing countries (Addaney et al, 2018;Begum, 2007;Berrisford & Kihato, 2006). All reviewed articles except four (Aerni, 2016;McGranahan et al, 2016;Petrasek, 2014;Rossi-Espagnet, 1983), which have no study focus but give a general approach to the impacts of urbanization on human rights, provide site-specific case studies and address cities, countries, or regions.…”

“…Looking at the focus of the articles, if they are more problem-oriented or more oriented towards solutions to overcome these problems, some articles mainly talk about solutions and which type of actions are needed to be taken in order to overcome human rights violations (Addaney et al, 2018;Chowdhury et al, 2017;Rossi-Espagnet, 1983). However, they and other selected articles also state the problem caused by or related to urbanization processes.…”

“…Petrasek, 2014;Rossi-Espagnet, 1983 Urbanization coupled with existing spatial inequalities exacerbates individuals' and communities' vulnerability to a potential natural disaster; it principally yields a call to action for the public sector to lay emphasis on appropriate landuse policies and development strategies (Carmalt, 2014). National and local authorities are undoubtedly not the only ones responsible for considering a human rights' perspective in the urban planning process, but the private sector should also pay attention to environmental and social sustainability in their actions (Addaney et al, 2018). For instance, a master plan, as one of the planning tools, is an essential instrument of development and a framework for guiding the public and private sector to consider prevailing and potential problems and for the expected urban growth (Begum, 2007).…”

“…Such a master plan is a long-term planning document to guide future growth and development, including proposals and projections for particular domains such as the economy, environment, communication, and housing, all of which impact residents' well-being and human rights. Hence, in coordination with a master plan, the urbanization process should carry a human rights-based approach and bring urban actors aligned to augment urbanizing communities' livability, elevate society's most marginalized groups, protect environmental assets, and strengthening resilience to the consequences of these processes and climate change impacts (Addaney et al, 2018;Mensah, 2014;Schrijver, 2016).…”

“…Urbanization has potential positive impacts on human rights in terms of enhancing the quality of the urban environment while building an adequate standard of living (Berrisford & Kihato, 2006), which results to improve livelihoods (Addaney et al, 2018;Aerni, 2016;McGranahan et al, 2016) for all residents if it is governed, planned and designed carefully (McGranahan et al, 2016) and taking care of the global power shifts (Petrasek, 2014). Urbanization coupled with economic growth (Chowdhury et al, 2017) can challenge urban poverty (Addaney et al, 2018;Chowdhury et al, 2017) and expand access to shelter, food, and employment (Petrasek, 2014). Through planned and regulated processes, it can confront disasters with the help of resilient urban actions (Aerni, 2016) and sustainable solutions (McGranahan et al, 2016).…”