A key purpose of this interdisciplinary project is to promote the socio-economic development and welfare in sub-Saharan megacities using Lagos (Nigeria) and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC) as case studies. The research  contributes to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing more specifically Goal 11 on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Using a mixed methods approach will enable us to fully address the crucial and complex questions of public trust, inclusivity, citizenship and the moral economies of religious infrastructures in a context where, as the Nsibidi Institute in Lagos aptly argues, ‘the relationship between religion and the city has a long and steady history and continues to be an important subject for urban culture and development’.

Through this interdisciplinary project, we aim to provide the evidence and scientific insights needed to enable policymakers to design and implement effective interventions, in order to reduce the economic and social inequalities in mega-urbanised sub-Saharan cities and improve social cohesion. The project intended impacts are to enhance the research and learning integration between experts from different disciplines, including, sociology, developmental studies, health policy, economics, demography and urban studies in the UK and the target countries. There will benefits in capacity building and training for all local teams. Through public engagement activities, working papers, policy briefs and dedicated workshops we will disseminate practical recommendations aimed at promoting functioning civic urban culture.