Paper short abstract:

Kigali is a beacon of stability amidst the dysfunctional urbanism characterizing sub-Saharan Africa. Based on findings from informant interviews, this study finds that the institutionalization of traditional participatory practices underpins the city's successful approach to urban service delivery.

Paper long abstract:

Kigali stands as a beacon of stability amidst the dysfunctional urbanism characterizing much of sub-Saharan Africa—and in 2008 was awarded UN-Habitat's Scroll of Honour for "innovations in building a model, modern city". Its reputation as the region's safest, cleanest, and most organized city belies a history marred by some of the most extreme urban challenges faced in recent times, including post-genocide reconciliation and a population that has more than trebled since 1999. Based on findings from 30 semi-structured informant interviews, this study elucidates the factors underpinning the city's approach to urban service delivery. It identifies five interlocking developments in urban governance that have been instrumental to the city's successes: first, the Rwandan state's commitment to anti-corruption and transparency measures; second, devolution of urban management responsibilities to district, sector, cell, and village levels; third, institutionalization of traditional practices of community self-help, namely imihigo (performance contracts), ubudehe (mutual support), and, umuganda (community labour); fourth, adoption of modern principles of urban planning, including a city-wide conceptual master plan and detailed district plans; and fifth, a nationwide program of land regularization that did not discriminate between planned and unplanned settlements. The study then reflects on the broader implications of the Kigali case for participatory planning within other emerging cities of the Global South.