Formalizing the Informal: Morphological Exploration of the Redevelopment of Angola's Musseques

Rapid and unplanned urbanization threatens the sustainable development. Cities lack the necessary infrastructure to absorb new populations and the appropriate policies to assure that the benefits of city life are equitably shared. This is true of Sub-Saharan Africa, as epitomized by Angola's capital, Luanda. A decade removed from civil war, the city is reeling in response to its exponential growth. Originally planned for half a million, Luanda is now home to more than 7 million people. Building on the work of local NGOs, this thesis offers strategies for the redevelopment of Luanda's informal settlements. It attempts to address the physical and social issues of these settlements, considering how best to ensure an appropriate reorganization of portions of the city to the benefit of residents. Handled properly, the redevelopment of the city's informal settlements presents an opportunity to improve the economic circumstances of the urban poor.