**Kinshasa’s urban planning, a major challenge for a city in full transformation**
For several decades, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been facing numerous challenges in terms of urban planning and sanitation. The city’s exponential population growth and the lack of adequate infrastructure have created major problems such as road congestion, shanty towns, unsanitary conditions and environmental pollution.
Faced with this worrying situation, the city’s political and administrative authorities have tried to implement various programs aimed at improving the quality of life of residents and restructuring the urban space. However, these initiatives have often encountered obstacles such as lack of funding, corruption, lack of monitoring and coordination between the various actors involved.
Operation “Coup de Poing”, launched by Governor Daniel Bumba Lubaki in 2024, has raised great hopes among the population. This initiative to thoroughly clean up the city has been welcomed by many Kinshasa residents who aspire to live in a healthier and safer environment.
However, several months after the launch of this operation, progress still seems timid and many challenges persist. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka stressed the need to develop an ambitious and rigorous program for cleaning up the capital, stressing the urgency of intervening on strategic roads and rehabilitating the most degraded neighborhoods.
The issue of cleaning up Kinshasa has become a major concern for the authorities at both the central and provincial levels. Special commissions have been set up to formulate recommendations and concrete solutions to address the problems of traffic jams, unsanitary conditions and the degradation of urban space.
It is essential that the various government institutions, international organizations, NGOs and the local population work together in a concerted manner to address these challenges and transform Kinshasa into a modern, functional and pleasant city to live in. Massive investments in infrastructure, public services, education and vocational training are essential to support this process of urban transformation.
Ultimately, urban planning in Kinshasa is a major challenge that requires a long-term vision, strategic planning and collective mobilization of all stakeholders. It is about building a sustainable, inclusive and resilient city, where each inhabitant can flourish and contribute to the harmonious development of their urban environment.