Edited by esteemed urban scholars Stephen Marr and Patience Mususa, DIY Urbanism in Africa is a collaborative effort that offers rich interdisciplinary insights into the do-it-yourself (DIY) processes and practices shaping urban spaces in Africa. The book brings together a diverse group of contributors, all experts in their respective fields, to explore how grass-roots urbanism influences city-making on the continent. Among the notable contributors are distinguished scholars such as Martin J. Murray and Mohammed Bello-Yunusa, Professors of Urban Planning, who foreground the concept of DIY urbanism within the African context. The contributors span various disciplines, including Victor Adetula, Professor of International Relations and Development Studies; Mathias Agbo Jr, an independent researcher specializing in the built environment; Henrik Angerbrandt, a peace and conflict expert; Antje Daniel, a leading social scientist; Jennifer Hart, a professor whose work intersects technology, infrastructure and development; Jonathan J. Makuwira, Professor of Development Studies; Federico Monica, an architect with an interest in urban planning; and Victoria Ogoegbunam Okoye, a lecturer in Black geographies.

Through historical explorations spanning precolonial, colonial and postcolonial periods, the contributors assert the utility of DIY urbanism as a valuable lens for examining various self-driven urban practices and processes in African cities, largely shaped by the subaltern. This perspective offers insights into how marginalized groups have historically navigated and transformed urban spaces through autonomous initiatives in different eras. The concept of DIY urbanism emerges as a practical strategy for survival and for meeting the immediate needs of those involved, rather than as a political ideology aimed at resisting state power. This approach emphasizes the urban actors’ focus on addressing their everyday challenges through self-initiated efforts, rather than engaging in deliberate acts of resistance against governmental structures. While the book emphasizes the agency of the marginalized in shaping African cities, the authors also highlight that DIY urbanism is a contested space where urban elites are equally engaged in self-organized practices to shape the city. This dual perspective underscores that DIY urbanism is not solely the preserve of the marginalized but is also influenced by the actions of more privileged groups, adding complexity to the dynamics of urban development.

Drawing on various case studies from across the continent, DIY Urbanism in Africa illustrates the ubiquity of self-driven urban initiatives and how they shape, define and give identity to cities. The book contends that the adoption of neoliberal economic policies by many African nations has weakened the state’s capacity to provide essential social services and infrastructure amidst rapid urbanization. This institutional vacuum has opened up space for diverse actors to stake their claims to the city through a variety of DIY practices. These include initiatives in basic water and health provisions, recreation, citizen-led urban security and urban agriculture, highlighting the innovative ways in which residents navigate and transform their urban environments. The book’s rich and diverse case studies provide valuable, nuanced insights into urban spatiality in Africa. The book does not present DIY urbanism as a neat, uniform or uncontested concept for urban planning and city building. Instead, the varied expertise of the contributors is evident in their analyses, which intentionally resist a homogenized view of DIY urbanism. Written in accessible language, the book illustrates how individuals and civic organizations assert their agency in claiming urban spaces, highlighting the complexity and dynamism of urban practices across the continent.

DIY Urbanism in Africa boldly rejects rigid, conventional top-down approaches to urban planning, instead embracing more flexible, ground-up perspectives for studying African cities. The book presents DIY urbanism as a people-driven approach that challenges dominant urban spatial theories, offering alternatives rooted in the lived experiences, traditions and values of ordinary people. Rather than serving as a prescriptive guide, the book introduces DIY urbanism as a thought-provoking concept designed to stir intellectual debates. This fresh approach is sure to inspire new ways of thinking about urban spaces in Africa.

Despite some typographical errors in the Introduction, the book effectively presents DIY urbanism as a concept that is highly relevant to African cities, particularly given the context of a weakened state struggling to provide essential services to urban residents. Beyond its significance for policymakers and students of the built environment, the book is a transdisciplinary work that encompasses political science, development studies, disability studies, gender studies, urban planning, political sociology, urban sociology and public health. This broad approach highlights the interconnectedness of various disciplines in understanding the complexities of urban life in Africa, making it relevant to a diverse audience interested in the multifaceted nature of urbanism on the continent. As an engaging exploration of the processes and practices shaping the African urban landscape, DIY Urbanism in Africa: politics and practice comes highly recommended. It offers a fresh perspective, highlighting how marginalized communities actively influence and shape their cities through their initiatives and actions.