Exploring the nexus between migration and urbanisation in the Southern Africa region

Abstract

Africa is experiencing rapid urbanization, making it one of the most urbanized continents in the world. This trend is particularly evident in the Southern African regional block. With the ongoing push for enhanced regional integration, it is anticipated that there would be a rise in the migration of individuals within the region. The escalating pace of urbanization calls for a reassessment of future cities and the implications of the rural-urban split on the establishment of sustainable human settlements. This article initially analyzes the patterns of migration within the Southern Africa Development Community. Furthermore, an analysis is conducted on the factors that contribute to the significant internal migration inside member states. Furthermore, the article examines the connection between migration and urbanization in the region once again. The article employs qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine the consequences of migration and urbanization on both the locations from which people migrate and the areas where they settle. The primary factors contributing to migration include the pursuit of economic opportunity, political instability, access to education, and climate-induced disasters. Migration and urbanization have both gotten worse in the SADC region at the same time, as shown by empirical literature, official migration documents, and quantitative time series data from the World Development Indicators. This suggests that migration causes more people to move to cities. The rise in population has led to inadequate housing, resulting in an increase in slums that surpasses the projected capacity of cities. This article suggests promoting infrastructure development that facilitates employment creation in the nations or districts of origin in order to prevent a one-way movement of migrants. Consequently, a rise in job prospects, salaries, and health conditions will result in a reduction in migration rates and alleviate the strain on numerous cities in the area.

Keywords: {'name': 'Rural-urban migration, urbanisation, livelihoods, remittances, informal economy, informal settlements, resilience, vulnerability'}

Authors & affiliations

Joseph Chisasa
Affiliation not supplied

Prudence Khumalo
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

Aikaeli, J., Mtui, J. & Tarp, F. (2021). Rural-urban migration, urbanisation and unemployment: the case of Tanzania Mainland. African Journal of Economic Review, IX(I): 87- 108.

DOI: 10.1038/478477a

DOI: 10.7196/SAJCH.2018.v12i4.1485

Chikanda, A., Crush, J. & Frayne, B. Migration an Urbanisation, in Food Nutrition Security in Souther Africa, 1st Ed. Routledge. ISBN 9781315226651.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-74303-1_13

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-77685-9_2

DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100052

Joshua, M., Jalloh, A. and Hachingonta, S. 2014. Review of research and policies for climate change adaptation in urban areas in Southern Africa. [Onine] Available at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abdulai-Jalloh-2/publication/265207586_Review_of_Research_and_Policies_for_Climate_Change_Adaptation_in_Urban_Areas_in_Southern_Africa/links/5404b5b50cf2c48563b1063d/Review-of-Research-and-Policies-for-Climate-Change-Adaptation-in-Urban-Areas-in-Southern-Africa.pdf Accessed: 2021-12-02.

DOI: 10.1057/s41287-018-0185-9

DOI: 10.4102/sajesbm.v10i1.130

DOI: 10.3390/su12114722

Munyoro, G., Kabangure, H. & Dzapasi, Y.K. (2016). Examining the significance of urbanisation in Zimbabwe: a case study of the Municipality of Chinhoyi. Researchjournali’s Journal of Public Policy, 3(3), 1-12.

DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2014.937524

DOI: 10.1177/0042098016671109

DOI: 10.3390/su13042285

United Nations Network on Migration, 2021: Unlocking the Positive Impact of Migration on Sustainable Development to Recover better, Faster and Stringer from COVID-19. https://migrationnetwork.un.org/statements/unlocking-positive-impact-migration-sustainable-development-recover-better-faster-and. Accessed on 20 October 2021.

United Nations Statistics (2019). Sustainable Development goals report 2019. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2019/goal-11/ Accessed 25/10/2021

Van Niekerk, W. & Le Roux, A. (2017). Human Settlements. [Online] Available on https://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/bitstream/handle/10204/9665/Van%20Niekerk_19626_2017.pdf?sequence=1 Accessed 2021-12-02.

DOI: 10.1093/migration/mnaa029