Analysis of a planned neighbourhood of Kinshasa and its mix with spontaneous extension neighbourhoods: the case of the Maman Mobutu City

Abstract

Kinshasa, one of Africa's most densely populated capital cities, has been grappling with the issue of informality in its planned settlements. This paper, aiming to understand this issue comprehensively, has employed a unique and rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis. The research includes material and site surveys, allowing for a detailed study of the transformation of the Mamam Mobutu Garden City. Built-in the 80s on an existing informal village, the project later faced an invasion of illegal settlers and constructions. The surroundings have also witnessed the radicalisation of precarious communities, posing a threat to achieving sustainable human development.

Keywords

• kinshasa, garden city, informality, human settlement.