ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the features of emergent urban trends in African contexts, particularly in instances of political and economic transition – and new opportunities appearing beyond the major cities – as currently is the case in Angola and Mozambique. It analyses the urban dwellers’ perspectives regarding urban transformation and growth of new towns, which in turn corroborates the need to develop new approaches to these forms of urban living. Impressive urbanization worldwide and the growth of main cities are central concerns today for development. New migratory tendencies and mobilities shape the way new cities emerge and expand, changing the landscapes and ways of living of a significant number of people. A significant part of the research focusing on ‘new towns’ is dedicated to discussions about planned and unplanned settlement, which includes a number of studies on peripheries, boomtowns, satellite cities or suburbs.
