A new monumental statue being built in the Senegalese capital of Dakar is seen by some as an African Statue of Liberty or Eiffel Tower. But for many of the nation's poor, it is a waste of money and an abuse of presidential power.
The Renaissance Monument is a $27 million expenditure, and many say President Abdoulaye Wade is ignoring the plight of his people for a self-serving tourist attraction.
"His opponents argue that the colossal creation - built by North Koreans - says more about poor governance than African renaissance.
'People are so frustrated by this,' says opposition leader Abdoulaye Bathily.
Bathily says the statue is the product of a power-drunk president. 'The economy has collapsed. ... The education system is in a crisis. The health system is in crisis. And yet Abdoulaye Wade is squandering public money,' Bathily says. 'So all these things, people are seeing it, and it is creating so much frustration.'"
FULL STORY: For Many in Senegal, Statue Is A Monumental Failure
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research