Land rights in Maputo

The project aims to provide fundamental land rights for the residents in one of Maputo’s large informal settlements. It is located in the informal neighborhood Maxaquene D, with 22 000 inhabitants, and is being developed in close collaboration with residents and local municipal authorities.

The project also aims to inform residents about the dangers of lacking land rights, e.g., the risk of forced evictions and expropriation without compensation, as well as the process of obtaining legal land rights. In a smaller area with 500 residents, we undertake local planning and necessary registration to obtain legal land rights. The project is planned as a pilot phase, aiming to reach a more significant part of the residents. No buildings are constructed in this project.

The project is a pilot project that focuses on the root causes of slum formation and the low motivation to invest in small-scale housing improvements among residents. No buildings will be constructed in this project.

DEVELOPMENT TARGETS

• To reduce poverty by creating the preconditions for improved housing, mainly by removing the risk for the resident’s investment in house upgrading.
• To prevent poverty and marginalization by securing residents without formal land rights the right to remain in their community and obtain proper compensation in the case of expropriation.
• To raise awareness and knowledge about the risk of not having formal land rights and how to obtain them in Maxaquene D.