Book review forum: Politics and the Urban Frontier: Transformation and Divergence in Late Urbanizing East Africa.

Tom Goodfellow's book, "Politics and the Urban Frontier: Transformation and Divergence in Late Urbanizing East Africa," explores the relationship between states and urban populations in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda, focusing on the capital cities of Addis Ababa, Kampala, and Kigali. The book examines four key issues that shape urbanization in these cities: land regimes and property, infrastructure and basic services, urban economies and labor, and urban mobilizations. Goodfellow's analysis provides insight into the unique urbanization trends in the region and the specificities of urban development in each country and city. The book also discusses the concept of the urban frontier in East Africa and its impact on urban development and politics. It acknowledges the differences between East African cities and other global cities, emphasizing the importance of understanding both their unique characteristics and the common forces that connect them. The text also highlights the authoritarian nature of the regimes in power in East Africa and the challenges this presents for urban politics and the potential for change. It calls for a deeper understanding of urban politics in authoritarian contexts and the need for adaptable theories to analyze and address these challenges. [Extracted from the article]