How can cycles of risk accumulation in African cities be broken in ways that also enhance local and city-wide development? This book addresses this question by drawing on the experience of researchers, policy makers and community organisers working in African cities.

A range of case studies are offered from Anglophone and Francophone Africa. Each study aims to stimulate discussion and support best practice amongst city planners and risk managers. The book is written in an accessible style. Each short chapter focusses on a specific challenge or opportunity offering key lessons and background reading. The book brings together insight from climate scientists, risk modellers and citizen science teams using vulnerability and health-assessment methods to reveal and act to reduce risk.

The book was launched on 12 February at the UNHABITAT World Urban Forum. This is fitting with the publication being a joint initiative of the Urban ARK programme and UNHABITAT. Around 50 colleagues joined at the launch with viewpoints and commentaries from Mark Pelling (Urban ARK lead and King’s College London), Mathias Spaliviero (UNHABITAT), Ibidun Adelekan (University of Ibaban) and Joe Mulligan (Kounkuey Design Initiative), chaired by Sarah Blackburn (Global Challenges Research Fund, UKRI).