African Final

(I.) In comparing and contrasting the built environment in pre-colonial/post-colonial Africa, we will first look at the negative impacts. One of the negative impacts was the distance that the zoning policies created. The zoning was created by the colonial land masters and then adopted by the ruling regimes that were left behind. By dispersing the African people and telling them where they may and may not live, they caused more difficult travel for the African people. To be more specific, most government structures were set up at higher points than the local native settlements. This causes problems due to travel time and hardship of traveling tough terrains. In Bamenda, the government structures are separated from the locals by a very high and steep hill which makes it difficult for any kind of non-motorized transportation up the hill (Njoh, 2003). This example of zoning leads to keeping people away from more important chores and daily matters such as the farming and work to travel such distances. If the choose not to travel by foot and motorized transportation is available, it costs the "natives" money that could be spent in other areas of daily need.

Another negative of the built environment was the separation of families caused by the European development and urbanization of the coastal areas. The poorer native Africans often lived in-land and the wealthy Europeans lived along the coast lines. The Europeans took the more agriculturally rich areas and developed them through the use of the native Africans as cheap labor. Men often left their families to go to these plantations to work. This practice led to many problems such as prostitution, a break down of the African family, higher divorce rates, and more alcoholism among the working population.

A third negative impact of the built environment of colonial and post-colonial eras was the distribution of resources. The colonial governments set up structures such as street lights, paved roads, and potable water for Europeans' use only (Njoh, 2003). After the Europeans gave up control of the areas, the new government leaders and people of status took over these installations for their own use and continued the segregation of the rich and the poor of these nations. This helped to continue the problems that were originally set up by colonialism.

One of the positive attributes of the built environment left and still used today is the school systems set up by the colonial government and churches looking to turn Ð''pagan' Africans into good, civilized Christians. The schools have allowed for organized education more widespread than what may have been offered. International education from the different colonies of yesterday and today has helped to make Africans more diverse and well-rounded educationally.

Another positive attribute is the setting up of routes from the inland to the coastal ports for exporting and importing goods. Although, they were used for the exploitation of Africa, they do have positives for some of the same reasons. As stated earlier, some of the in-land areas and people are among the poorest. By having roadways that lead from areas that can easily receive goods and resources to those that cannot, they allow for easier trade among the nations and colonies of Africa and the outside world. Some of these roads and transportation systems were set up by the colonial powers and have the potential to help out in today's Africa.

(II.) Five factors that detract Africa from coming together include: 1) the separation of African people across country borders; 2) the cost of providing a transportation infrastructure for Africa; 3) dependence of African countries on former colonial masters; 4) government instability and corruption in African countries; and 5) distance and scattering of the African people.

A problem for African countries is the borders that were instituted by the colonials. In the past, families and African people were not separated by imaginary lines. By colonial governments restricting the people in their colonies from dealing and speaking with their neighbors or families in other colonies, the have formed divides that make it hard for the African people to come back together and unite.

A second problem is the transportation infrastructure that was left behind by the colonial governments. An example of this is the railway systems set up across Africa. English train carts had different wheel bases than French wheel bases. This is important to note because it essentially makes these railways useless for mass transportation between the nations. It also would cost the governments and the peoples too much to replace these railway systems. By colonial powers fighting among themselves, they left behind fairly useless structures.

Thirdly, is the dependence of colonies on their former colonial masters. French countries depend on France for all their currency. That means all monies have to go through France before they go back to the African countries. French banks would be more likely to invest these funds in France rather than back into Africa. Africans are also dependent for all importing and exporting needs. Africa has trouble supporting itself, so it is very reliant on importing goods to survive and foreign governments have leverage when dealing for African exports.

Another problem that faces Africa is the government corruption and instability among some of its nations. Some governments and/or government heads have been known to solicit funds from their own people and pocket these funds for personal use rather than investing the money back into their nations. They also tend to be more influenced by western governments and the money that westerns throw at them.

A fifth reason is the scattering of the African people over the vast lands. The African people