Local public markets infrastructure and urban food systems in African small cities: insights from Arusha, Tanzania

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ABSTRACT

African small cities of less than half a million residents are absorbing two-thirds of all urban population growth. These cities suffer from urbanisation challenges, lack of planning and services needed to cope with growth, which has resulted in spatial inequalities and inequitable access to basic necessities and amenities. With the current outbreak of COVID-19, various approaches are taken to prevent the spread of the virus, contain widespread transmission, and flatten the curves of infections. This commentary examines local markets infrastructure and the impact the COVID-19 preventive measures may bring on access to food in African small cities.

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KEYWORDS:

• African small cities
• COVID-19
• local public markets

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [FA], upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by HealthBridge Foundation of Canada through the Livable Cities Programme with grant no. 20180327 and 20190305.

Notes on contributors

Furaha Germain Abwe

Furaha Germain Abwe holds a PhD degree in City Planning from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, a Master of Science in Urban Planning and Management from Ardhi University and a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. After eight years of university teaching experience, Furaha established Urban Planning for Community Change, a local NGO which aims at bridging the gap between theory, research and practice in urban development planning and practices. His current focus is on developing a critical research agenda on healthy urbanism in African cities.

Kristie Daniel

Kristie Daniel joined HealthBridge full-time in January 2011 as Director of the Livable Cities program.  Her role includes providing technical assistance to local partners, research, program planning and implementation, and monitoring of local programs.  Kristie’s head office is in Ottawa but she travels extensively to meet with HealthBridge’s local partners in Asia and Africa. Kristie has a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Waterloo (2010) and a Bachelor of Arts, in psychology, from the University of Guelph (1997) in Canada.