C
ape Verde has shown
substantial economic
growth over the past
years, largely as a result
of increased touristic and
residential development.
This increase, although
substantial in quantity,
has been less so in terms
of quality. The touristic
and urban growth pattern of Cape Verde
is based on the European Mediterranean
coastal development model. Once at
it’s peak, but now in decline, it was
characterized by abrupt and unsustainable
growth, low quality construction and poor
urban planning. Mass tourism and over
development is increasing and, with little
or no regulation, it has impacted the local
heritage.
Whilst this increase in development has
encouraged people to migrate to the
larger cities, it has also created a greater
urban imbalance between developed city
centres with new infrastructures and
the areas more poorly developed with
their associated social and economic
inequalities.
The Cape Verde cities of Praia and
Mindelo are the two main cities with
greater shortage of housing. The high
cost of construction, inflation in the cost
of property and land, in conjunction with
the growing rate of unemployment, make
purchasing or renting a home difficult for
most Cape Verdians. The construction of
illegal shelters has therefore spread and is
often the only option for poor families who
have no housing alternatives or means. Is
this illegality a crime?
The fringes of the cities are populated
24
africandesignmagazine.com
with illegal constructions which have
spread through self build, creating new
(sub)urban areas without any form of
planning or rationalization. The lack of
infrastructures, utilities, sanitation or
other services and the basic construction
of the shelters make these areas
marginalized, unsafe and unsuitable as
housing. As the areas of illegal shelters
expand, the problems are aggravated
and the degradation of the spaces and
conditions worsens. What to begin with
which was already unfit for purpose will
soon become even more deteriorated. The
economy and the increase in population
have stimulated a natural growth of these
urban areas emphasizing the disparity
between social classes in countries with a
housing shortage such as Cape Verde.
Access to suitable housing and to
sustainable urban planning is therefore
fundamental to avoid or reduce poverty
and social exclusion.
Objectives
The shortage of housing in Cape Verde is
not a problem that can be easily or quickly
resolved. The families living in tin houses
will continue to live in sub-standard
conditions for an indefinite period of
time, even if the resolution of the housing
problem is made to be a governmental
priority.
The main objective of the Casalata project
is to raise awareness of the problem and
propose a strategy for improvement of the
living conditions of less fortunate families
through urban planning. Whilst producing
the Casalata film they became aware of the
extent of the difficulties endured by the
families living in the tin houses. The poor
living conditions of the spaces coupled