Armed conflicts and prevailing rank-size patterns in 28 African states. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warsame, Abukar; Wilhelmsson, Mats
• Is Part Of: African geographical review. Volume 38:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Rank-size -- urbanization -- armed conflicts -- African cities; Africa -- Geography -- Periodicals; Africa -- Description and travel -- Periodicals; 916.005
• DOI: 10.1080/19376812.2017.1301824
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1937-6812

Abstract

Abstract: Refugees fleeing conflict and oppression can affect the population size of cities within a country and neighboring countries. This paper examines how the rank-size rule of cities has changed in 28 countries located in volatile regions of Africa over the past four decades. We estimate two equation models explaining the relationship between spatial/temporal variation in cities and noneconomic factors. Although economic factors remain the principal determinants of urban growth, the prevailing rank-size patterns indicate that noneconomic factors such as armed conflicts are behind the development of most of these cities, particularly those near or bordering conflict areas.