How did colonial-era segregation shape neighborhoods in Kinshasa?

During the colonial era, urban planning in Kinshasa (then known as Léopoldville) was defined by a strict segregation of residential sectors based on race.1

European neighborhoods were designed with spacious villas, large yards, wide paved streets, and reliable access to electricity. In contrast, African areas were characterized by high-density housing, smaller plots, and a lack of basic infrastructure, including inadequate or nonexistent electrical supplies.21

This spatial division was reinforced by the city's functional layout, where residential zones were often established in proximity to industrial and port facilities to support the colonial economy. While these colonial-era distinctions were intended to separate populations, they established a lasting urban pattern. Following independence, these formerly European districts became the primary residential areas for the Congolese elite, maintaining a stark contrast in living conditions compared to the more crowded, less affluent communes and the rapidly expanding squatting zones that emerged as colonial restrictions on movement were relaxed.3241