Perspectives from the International Experience

This paper summarizes presentations and discussions from Kigali’s National Forum on Urbanisation in Support of EDPRS. I start by considering the challenges Rwanda faces with urbanization, keeping an eye out for opportunities and options posed by these challenges. My emphasis in the discussion of options is not based on the Rwandan experience but rather on what the international experience in many different countries suggests may be problems as well as effective ways to proceed.

The options are posed somewhat facetiously, in that they are depicted as broad “Dos,” and “Don’ts.” That is, as measures that should be followed as well as those that should be avoided. The point to stress is that the devil is very much in the details of a highly nuanced policy, but one that can lead to very costly mistakes. It is also a policy environment in which circumstances demand a proactive government role. So, with the object of trying to be provocative, to engage the discussion in the many possible directions, I pose some of the options starkly.

Also Read: 2017 Housing Affordability Response Team (HART) Recommendations