Centralized Clientelism, Real Estate Development and Economic Crisis:The case of postwar Luanda. Issue 3 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dias, Miguel
• Is Part Of: African geographical review. Volume 40:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 309
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: Luanda -- centralized clientelism -- political settlements -- real estate development and economic crisis; Africa -- Geography -- Periodicals; Africa -- Description and travel -- Periodicals; 916.005
• DOI: 10.1080/19376812.2021.1933555
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1937-6812

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The article explores the role of Luanda's property and real estate development within the postwar Angolan system of centralized clientelism, drawing on the political settlements theory applied to urban analysis. It argues that profit-driven urban policies were fundamental to ensure Angola's political stability but detrimental to its development, leaving behind financial distress and a splintered urban landscape, which is a significant impediment to pursuing a much-needed economic structural change. The tensions in the urban realm between factions of the recent power reconfiguration constitute a fertile terrain to explore the relationship between political regimes and urban transformation.