Sub-Saharan Africa » Mozambique
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Maputo… on tracks |
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| Maputo is growing by a 4% annual rate. That is 50% in ten years from 1997 to 2007. With an actual population now close to 2 million inhabitants we must plan for a 4 million population in a short time and a 8 million in the long term.
This urbanization process is consistent with the low urbanized rate of the country (30%) but a rapid economic development (Annual +7% GDP) from a low GDP per Capita (600 USD). A more equilibrate urbanization has to be achieved among the secondary urban areas of the country. Specially in an elongated country (2.750 km long) with an eccentric capital location (a port related to strategic maritime routes around Good Hope Cape) Meanwhile Maputo has to be prepared to house such large growth. Orbital Radial system cannot adequately respond. However Chinese eagerness to provide finance and build road infrastructures is not enough to provide for that sustainable future. A rational long-term vision must be provided and short term/sight infrastructure can harm, rather that benefit the metropolitan and national development. Rail commuter is to be praised compared to many other African capitals. Frequency can be improved to build up a transit oriented development metropolis. Centralities have to be established in coordination with Land Use policies and management capacity: Economic activities, Social facilities and Housing density essential part of those centralities. We will have then Maputo… on tracks. |
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From Pemba to Palma: Mozambique Cabo Delgado territorial structure |
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| In Cabo Delgado, Mozambique north coast (1.600 km away from Maputo and 600 from Dar es Salaam), very important Gas deposits have recently been discovered.
The potential for economic and social development must be well exploited: Three areas for strategic effort have been suggested to benefit from Energy inputs: Agro-food development, Industrial enterprise and Tourism services. They have to be made compatible in environmental and territorial terms to reach sustainability. Cabo Delgado coast north of Pemba, up to Palma and beyond to the Tanzania border, has a very characteristic wavy coastline protected from rough sea by a parallel set of islands: a peculiar ecosystem with enormous tourist potential. Environment, Tourism and Gas extraction have to be made compatible in the coastline. Inland has to provide for the necessary infrastructures to support capital investment in industry as well as for agro-alimentary production and food processing. The territorial structure takes form under related parallel gradient lines that work together in a social and productive mechanism. Development might start from the specific points of Palma and Pemba but a clear vision of the overall structure will allow for development of other potential urban settlements, productive and tourist locations in a sustainable long-term framework. |
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Pemba’s harnessing growth in a regional context. |
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| Pemba is confronting an explosive period. The exploitation of the newly discovered very important gas fields is going to produce massive investments in logistics and technical support for the implementation period.
Investments are going to be on the range of 40 billion dollars from 2014 to 20424. If Cabo Delgado does right, 30% of those can stay in the area. If not others will provide the services and goods. Doing good means that Pemba and Cabo Delgado might have an increase of income in the range of 1.2 billions/year. As now the GDP is 1b.$, accounting for a multiplier effect if could mean an increase of 300% of the GDP. But only 10 years! If Pemba and Cabo Delgado is not able to build up a productive economy from the benefits of the bonanza, they will revert to the actual 600 USD/Capita infra income in ten years time. Will Pemba be able? Now Pemba is 200.000 inhabitants. A new million will be expected in the shadow of the gas rush. 1 m. Inhabitants mean 200.000 new homes that, at a high-density rate of 40 homes/Hectare, will occupy 45 km2. Pemba is to grow tenfold. And for that they need to start 500 m. USD… Pemba has however a very healthy and sound urban structure that can grow into a metropolitan and regional one. Here is the way to do it. Expanding its DNA, a Nautilus DNA, the dream of Fibonacci. |
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