Post-Floods Escalation of "Anarchistic Building" Conflict in Kinshasa
In the overcrowded city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the aftermath of severe floods has left its residents, like Passy, a heartbroken mother, begging for mercy as the authorities bulldoze their homes. The demolitions, prompted by these floods that claimed numerous lives, target illegal constructions built along the banks of the Congo River, a risky location prone to flooding after every downpour.
Recently, the provincial minister of Urban Planning and Public Works visited Ngaliema, a district hit hard by the floods, to supervise the destructive campaign. Passy's crumbling residence is one of 15 condemned parcels targeted by the authorities, but it's just a drop compared to the vast slums that surround Kinshasa.
Minister Alain Tshilungu, responding to press inquiries, maintains that the State is not inactive – on the contrary, the City of Kinshasa initiated the demolition operation announced in November 2020. However, Passy's pleas for understanding fall on deaf ears.
As the excavator swings into action, a family emerges from their affected home, their eyes wide with disbelief. Their scant possessions, saved from the demolition and scattered on the ground, are soon invaded by looters: neighbors scooping up doors, windows, and even toilet tanks.
Augustin Masudi, one of the affected homeowners, looks on, tears streaming down his face. The father of six children managed to salvage a mattress, a freezer, and a few belongings from his home that he lived in for three years.
"Not much remains, everything has been looted," he laments, his voice choked. Dady Kasongo, another victim, stands behind dark glasses, shocked by the loss of his incomplete home and the thousands of dollars he invested in materials. The state services had supposedly registered his patch of land, and he expects compensation for his loss.
However, Minister Tshilungu asserts that the demolitions are for the benefit of the State and its public domain, recalling that river banks and riverbeds are inappropriate locations for construction. In a country plagued by corruption, many homeowners have allegedly been issued fraudulent building permits, according to local authorities.
Despite decades of on-and-off demolition operations in Kinshasa, urban congestion and the lack of adequate infrastructure continue to persist. Climate change, by exacerbating extreme weather events, poses a threat to millions of Africans.
Addressing these challenges necessitates a multifaceted approach, including the use of technology for traffic management, sustainable urban planning aligned with global initiatives, improved zoning and planning, and investment in sustainable urban drainage systems and green infrastructure.
- In the discussion on environmental science and policy-and-legislation, the ongoing demolition of homes in Kinshasa due to climate-change-induced flooding raises questions about the validity of building permits and the potential for corruption in the system.
- General-news outlets have been covering the political aspect of these demolitions, with Minister Tshilungu arguing that the demolitions are for the benefit of the State, while homeowners, like Dady Kasongo, feel cheated and are seeking compensation.
- As the city grapples with environmental issues and urban congestion brought on by climate change, the need for comprehensive solutions in fields such as science, sustainable urban planning, and politics becomes evident to mitigate the impact on the environment and the populace.
