Implications of Spatial and Physical Structures for ICT as a Tool of Urban Management and Development in Cameroon
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2012
Keywords
Cameroon, Communication technology, Colonial urban planning, Information technologies, Spatial segregation, Spatial structures
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2011.06.006
Abstract
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) hold enormous promise for development efforts in developing countries. However, the potential of ICTs remains untapped for reasons that are largely unknown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This region has the lowest level of ICT penetration in the world. The need to understand impediments to ICT performance are therefore most urgent in this region. This paper seeks to address this need by identifying factors that inhibit the functionality of ICT as a tool for improving urban management. It analyzes two cities in the region, namely Douala and Yaounde, respectively Cameroon’s economic/cultural and politico-administrative capitals. The following three factors are shown to impede the functioning of ICT devices, hence urban management in these cities: colonial racial segregation policies, the colonial legacy of land use compartmentalization and the lack of unambiguous physical addresses for structures in the built environment. It is suggested that concerned authorities institute the following measures. 1] Establish an unambiguous addressing system reposed on the municipal governance structure and the country’s vehicle matriculation taxonomy. 2] Actively promote ICT as an element of national development. Finally, it presents some examples of efforts to improve ICT penetration and functionality from Senegal and South Africa.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Habitat International, v. 36, issue 3, p. 343-351
Scholar Commons Citation
Njoh, Ambe J., "Implications of Spatial and Physical Structures for ICT as a Tool of Urban Management and Development in Cameroon" (2012). School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications. 1976.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/1976
