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Quilamba
Neighborhood and housing development in Angola From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Quilamba (or Kilamba) is an Angolan city that serves as the administrative center of Belas Municipality and a large housing development site 30 km (18 miles) from Luanda, the capital city of Angola. It was built by the China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC).
Quilamba was reported to be a ghost town but is now a showcase for the new aspirational Angolan lifestyle. In 2016 the city had about 100,000 residents and 97 percent occupation.[1]
Quilamba covers an area of 30.5 square kilometres (11.8 sq mi) and will eventually offer homes for more than 200,000 inhabitants. It comprises about 750 apartment blocks ranging from 5 to 13 floors, over 100 commercial premises, 17 schools and 24 daycare centers to provide care and education for children, as well as over 240 stores to drive the local economy. The cost is reported at US$3.5 billion, financed by a Chinese credit line and repaid by the Angolan government with oil.
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Urban planning
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After the conclusion of Angolan Civil War in 2002, the government began developing housing projects and satellite towns to meet the housing demands of a population which had largely lived in informal settlements.[2]: 125
Quilamba contributed to meeting the election pledge made by President Jose Eduardo dos Santos in 2008 to build a million new homes in four years. Development of Quilamba began in 2008.[2]: 125 As part of an exchange of Chinese construction materials and expertise for Angolan natural resources, CITIC Group Corporation Ltd. (a Chinese state-owned enterprise) led the development of Quilamba.[2]: 125 Chinese construction techniques and materials facilitated rapid construction and the first district of Quilamba was completed in three years.[3]: 316
The government planned to use some of the residential blocks as social housing. Prices of the smallest units were reduced from US$125,000 to $70,000.[4] As of July 2012, the buildings were largely complete but still unoccupied.[5] Despite a slow start, legislation signed into law by dos Santos resulted in a massive boom in demand.[6][7] Subsidies and long-term mortgages via the social housing program prompted an increase in Quilamba's population.[3]: 316
Designed to be a self-contained community, Quilamba has over 100 shops and 12 schools.[3]: 316
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Residents
The population of Quilamba increased to 40,000 residents in September 2013,[8] to 80,000 in July 2015.[9] In 2019, the estimated population was 129,000 inhabitants.[10] As of 2024, Quilamba is a destination for aspiring middle class Angolans.[2]: 126
References
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