Cities are where economic developmentreally happens and where the risks from natural hazards aregrowing. Urbanization in Sierra Leone is occurring at USD410/per capita, at a far lower level than other countries inSub-Saharan Africa at similar urbanization levels. Thisstudy focuses on Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, thatdominates the country’s urban landscape. A central premiseof policy-making in cities is that the flexibility,practicality, and focus of local governments make them idealplayers to understand and respond to the needs of theircitizens. Indeed, cities mostly aim their problem-solving atlocal conditions. Freetown's population has increasedroughly 10-fold in the last 50 years; similarly-sizedEuropean cities took 150 years to achieve this increase.Freetown's current economic and social infrastructureis dilapidated and basic service delivery has fallen shortof population growth. Freetown is, and will likely remain,the most affected by the prevalent disasters in SierraLeone, given its coastal location. Investments in capitaland operational expenditures in the city are very low.Freetown is not an engine of service delivery, but neitheris it an engine of growth for the country. Freetown lackssufficient resources for much-needed investments ininfrastructures and services necessary for its development.Policy choices made now will determine whether Freetownbecomes an engine or an obstacle for economic transformationin Sierra Leone. Freetown is growing rapidly but is notdelivering its potential. Purposeful and bold policy isneeded from the incoming government. Similarly, in SierraLeone changing current attitudes depends on building acredible account of how the future will be decidedlydifferent. This has two parts. 1. Symbolic investments inthe capital city can signal a future of productiveinvestment and growth. 2. At the same time, supportingnarratives allow citizens to understand that these symbolsform part of a wider plan for the city and the country.Fordecades, Freetown has lacked such focused and purposepolicies. The result of this prolonged neglect is visible toall: the city has become locked into low-productivity, isunprepared for natural hazards, and is increasingly abottleneck to investment in the entire country. The newGovernment is a pivotal moment: a rare opportunity for smartnew policies to transform Freetown into a platform forresilient growth. Freetown can become a city that works.
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