Urbanization in Africa is inevitable. By 2050 more than 1,2 billion people – 55% of the African population – will live in African cities. Currently, 62% of Africa’s urban population live in informal settlements. Will urban Africa explode in numbers and deepen in misery, or is it possible to imagine and accompany flourishing African urban futures.
Little research has been done on religion in African cities. Most theological curricula in Africa fail to prioritise urban realities. This trans-disciplinary research project will attempt to escalate the priority for robust, creative theological engagement with African urban challenges.
We gather researchers from across the continent to re-imagine theological education that is fostering urban leaders, enabled to animate flourishing African cities. We do this through retrieving African spiritualities and values, socio-spiritual capital and innovations, and justice-seeking practices of reconciliation and peace-building.
A result of this research project was the launch of the African Urban Theology Network. Researchers from various theological institutions on the African continent currently participate in this Network.
For more information or to participate, email stephan.debeer@up.ac.za
Constructing an Urban Theology of Liberation in South Africa Today: A Transdisciplinary Praxis-Approach in the Interface between (Urban) Faith, Politics and Planning
Repositioning Theological Institutions for Urban Ministry: A case for the kampala Evangelical School of Theology
Mending the broken city of Pietermaritzburg through a transformative urban theological programme: A challenge to Union Bible Institute
Equipping Lay Leaders for Christian Ministry in the Anglican Church of Kenya through Theological Education by Extension
Decolonising theological education in urban spaces A reflection on the “Abantu Book Festival”
Urban Africa 2050: Imagining Theological Education/Formation for Flourishing African Cities
Urban Africa 2050: Imagining Theological Education/Formation for Flourishing African Cities
Theological education and African cities: An imperative for action
The ‘good city’ or ‘post-colonial catch-basins of violent empire’? A contextual theological appraisal of South Africa’s Integrated Urban Development Framework
