© Association of Academic Researchers and Faculties (AARF) A Monthly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International e-Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories. Page | 1 IMPROVING URBAN RESILIENCE IN AFRICAN CITIES BY MAINSTREAMING TRADITIONAL PUBLIC OPEN SPACES; A STUDY OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA by Agoha, Basil Onyekozuru *1 Senior Lecturer, Department Of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli campus, Anambra State, Nigeria Abstract The trend in urbanisation lends credence to the fact that by 2050 over 80% of world population will live in urban areas with majority of this being in Africa. This poses great challenges for the emerging cities of African which are known to have witnessed increasing environmental, social and security challenges, largely due to the distortions in the natural abilities of the physical and social environments to regenerate, maintain and self sustain themselves. This is quite different from the situation in traditional societies of old where the environment naturally accommodates and self regulates changes without much distortion and disequilibrium, thus making the traditional environment more resilient. This is largely achieved through the ability of the traditional public open spaces to adjust to changes in the environment. Imo state, with 534 Community Governments Centres, 27 local governments headquarters, at least 7 new towns, 7 urban centres and the state capital Owerri, making about 545 development and potential urban centres is set for not only democritising and spreading urban centres but creating resilient cities majority of which will evolve from traditional communities. With its high population density, this situation will make it one of the fastest growing urban states not only in Nigeria but in Africa. The paper draws attention of urban designers and planners to the need to integrate and mainstream traditional public open spaces into emerging cities for sustainable and resilient urban development. It establishes the survival of traditional public open spaces in Imo State, Nigeria, evaluates the extent of their contribution in the socio-cultural life of the people and the role of traditional public open spaces in solving environmental problems of the city. This study explores this GE-International Journal of Engineering Research ISSN(O): 2321-1717, ISSN(P): 2394-420X Vol. 7, Issue 9, September 2019 Impact Factor- 5.613 © Association of Academic Researchers and Faculties (AARF) Website-www.aarf.asia, Email:editor@aarf.asia, editoraarf@gmail.com