COVID-19: Can it transform urban planning in Africa?

The COVID-19 pandemic raises questions about the effectiveness of urban planning practice in Africa and offers an opportunity to reflect on more constructive protocols for planning that can promote the public health agenda in the continent. This commentary analyzes three critical areas of urban planning concern that limit the capacity of cities in Africa to respond to global health crises: integration of informal sector into formal planning processes; regional planning; and consideration of public health in urban planning practice – and proffers practical and conceptual recommendations that can position African cities to adequately respond to future health crises.