In Focus - Urbanization in Africa

In this episode of In Focus we explore urbanization in Africa with Prof. Ivan Turok, the Executive Director of the Economic Performance and Development, Human Sciences Research Council (EPD-HSRC).

Prof. Turok is a Honorary Professor at the Universities of Cape Town and Glasgow, and has a PhD in Economics, MSc in Planning and BSc in Geography. Before returning to South Africa and joining the HSRC in 2010 he was Professor and Research Director of the Department of Urban Studies at Glasgow University.

Prof. Turok's fields of expertise include the spatial economy (regions, cities and neighbourhoods), local labour markets and economic development. His research on unemployment, regional development, city competitiveness, urban regeneration and spatial inequalities is highly cited internationally. He is a regular expert adviser to the United Nations, OECD, European Commission, SA Government, UK Government and African Development Bank. He is a board member of the Regional Studies Association and is on the editorial board of four international journals.

He has published over 100 academic papers, chapters and books and has a B1 rating from the National Research Foundation. He was the principal author of the 2011 State of South African Cities Report. Other books include the State of English Cities (2006), Changing Cities: Rethinking Urban Competitiveness, Cohesion and Governance (2005), Twin Track Cities (2005), The Jobs Gap in Britain?s Cities (1999) and The Coherence of EU Regional Policy(1997).

Prof. Turok has 30 years teaching experience in urban and regional economics, policy analysis and evaluation, local labour markets, economic development, urban regeneration and spatial planning. He has supervised 12 PhDs to successful completion and numerous Masters students.