ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief introduction to Bukavu in terms of past and present governance structures and policies that are relevant in understanding public goods provision and access to them. This is relevant to the empirical discussions that follow. The chapter introduces a few key aspects of the periods known as Belgian Congo (1908–1960), Zaïre (1971–1997), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (1997–). Colonial Bukavu was reconstructed based on segregationist settlements and transformed a society that had lived under a rule of chiefdom systems since the 14th century. Modern infrastructure such as paved roads, water and electricity was undertaken for developing the industries and attracting white settlers, and vaguely as the “civilization” task of the colonizers. During the Zaïre period, companies providing public goods became state monopolies, including the road companies, insurance, water, and energy. This created great confusion about what “public” meant, which is still evident in contemporary Bukavu. Finally, Bukavu’s contemporary administration is briefly described, which also highlights how municipal authorities may feel less obliged to answer to or serve a broader conception of “the public” in the city and serve instead the ruling regime.
