African Urban Psychology Observatory (AUPO)
The African Urban Psychology Observatory (AUPO) is a continental knowledge platform dedicated to understanding how African cities shape human behaviour, mental wellbeing, emotions, identity, and everyday life. AUPO exists to place people and psychology at the centre of urban knowledge, policy, planning, and design in Africa.
Why AUPO Exists
African cities are growing rapidly—often faster than their social, psychological, and governance systems can adapt. While urban data across the continent focuses heavily on infrastructure, housing, transport, and economic growth, the inner life of city dwellers is rarely measured, mapped, or meaningfully considered.
AUPO addresses this gap.
We study not just how cities function, but how they feel, how they are experienced, and how they shape the human behaviour.
What AUPO Observes
AUPO tracks and analyses the psychological and behavioural dimensions of urban life, including:
Urban Psychological Wellbeing
- Everyday stress and emotional strain
- Feelings of safety, fear, and calm
- Mental fatigue and overload
- Perceived quality of urban life
Behavioural Urbanism
- How people adapt to informal and formal systems
- Public-space behaviour and social interaction
- Coping, resilience, and survival strategies
- Trust, cooperation, and conflict
Belonging, Identity & Place
- Place attachment and displacement anxiety
- Cultural continuity in rapidly changing cities
- Community memory and social cohesion
- Identity formation in urban environments
Cognitive & Sensory Urban Experience
- Noise, crowding, and visual overload
- Wayfinding and navigation stress
- Sensory pressure and decision fatigue
- Environmental calm versus chaos
Governance, Policy & Psychological Trust
- Trust in institutions and urban systems
- Perceived fairness and inclusion
- Civic participation and policy alienation
- Psychological distance between citizens and governance
How AUPO Works
AUPO combines spatial intelligence, psychological insight, and lived experience to build a new layer of urban knowledge.
We use:
- Community-based surveys and participatory tools
- Spatial and neighbourhood-level mapping
- Behavioural and ethnographic observation
- Policy and planning overlays
- Narrative and lived-experience data
This approach allows AUPO to capture both measurable patterns and human meaning across African cities.
What AUPO Produces
Urban Psychology Dashboards
Visual, city-based profiles showing patterns of stress, wellbeing, behaviour, and belonging.
Research & Insight Reports
Evidence-based analyses translating urban psychology into practical knowledge.
Policy & Planning Briefs
Clear, actionable guidance for governments, planners, designers, and institutions.
Practice Tools
Frameworks that help integrate psychological insight into:
- Urban planning
- Urban design
- Housing and transport policy
- Community development
- Public space delivery