ABSTRACT
Mozambique has one of the world’s weakest economies, on the world’s poorest continent. During the last 30 years it has been governed by a fascist colonial power, a Marxist-oriented regime, and latterly an aid-dominated free-market elite. However, while to a great extent forcibly imposed, the state has remained extremely weak. The poor majority in Mozambique thus represent what can be termed the ‘periphery of the periphery’ in both political and economic terms. What has happened in shelter for the growing urban population under the conditions of extremely weak state and market influences in Maputo has, however, relevance for other situations where the role of civil society in land and housing may not be so obvious, given stronger state or market systems. It is argued here that better partnerships between state and market are not enough on their own, and that partnerships between civil society and the state and/or the market are essential to create sustainable urban areas.
