Family cycle and residential mobility in African cities (Dakar Yaounde and Antananarivo)

Demographers rarely consider the question of housing. Spatial mobility and population dynamics work together to feed the demand for housing. Housing has evolved considerably since African countries gained independence from colonial rule. Africa’s urban landscape has therefore changed markedly over the past 35 years. At first public authorities fought against the establishment of urban slums but new urban developments tended to arise outside of governmental control. Later during the 1980s the overall pace of urbanization slowed while populations grew increasingly dense in city centers. Living conditions vary among cities as a result of the different policies followed in individual countries. Family dynamics and access to or change of housing accommodations are associated phenomena. For example in western countries life cycle events such as marriage first birth and retirement often bring about changes in place and type of residence. But such dynamics are not studied in Africa despite the existence of considerable residential mobility in African cities. Using biographical data on professional and residential mobility and family dynamics the authors try to identify which factors influence residential mobility in Dakar Yaounde and Antananarivo.