Nampula is Mozambique’s second-largest urban center and is often regarded as the ‘capital’ of the northern region. It stands out as one of the country’s most economically dynamic cities, strategically located in the heart of Nampula Province—the most populous and prosperous area of Mozambique. Nampula is situated at the crossroads of two significant development corridors: the East-West Nacala Development Corridor, which links the landlocked countries of Malawi and Zambia to the port of Nacala, and the North-South Corridor, connecting Tanzania with the rest of Mozambique.
The city has experienced rapid population growth, escalating from 53,970 inhabitants in 1970 to 158,099 in 1980, and 306,074 in 1997. Today, the estimated population stands around 600,000, reflecting an annual growth rate exceeding 5%. This surge in population places immense pressure on urban land, infrastructure, and municipal services. Moreover, the surrounding District of Nampula is the fastest-growing area within Nampula Province. Unfortunately, this explosive urban growth has largely been unplanned, resulting in over 80% of the population residing in high-density squatter settlements characterized by poor housing, environmental conditions, and limited access to basic infrastructure and services. This situation poses significant challenges for potential investment projects, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive territorial planning strategy.
Since 2008, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has been collaborating with the municipality and district of Nampula, alongside the Faculty of Architecture and Physical Planning (FAPF) at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) and with financial support from Cities Alliance. Together, they are developing a City-Wide Slum Upgrading Plan (CWSUP) and a City Development Strategy (CDS) that encompasses the surrounding Nampula District. This initiative aims to address urban growth in the medium to long term, preventing the emergence of new slums in peri-urban areas and fostering more favorable conditions for investment.
On November 12th, Thomas Stellmach of TSPA will lead a workshop with stakeholders from the community, private sector, and local government of Nampula. This workshop aims to validate the priority projects outlined in the City Development Strategy Framework, with the report set to be released in early 2017.
