ABSTRACT
The European community of the town was equally involved in processes of change and adjustment; most of its new recruits came direct from Europe and were newcomers both to Stanleyville and the Belgian Congo. In occupations and earnings, as in all social fields, there was a sharp cleavage between Europeans and Africans. The total volume of trade and services in the African areas was, however, very much larger than that dispensed from licensed premises. European residential areas were situated close to, and tended to run into, the area of administrative offices, hotels, shops and other service establishments, while African residential areas were strictly demarcated and well removed from the town centre. Persons either born in a centres extra-coutumier (C.E.C.) or having resided there continuously for ten years were granted the formal status of permanent residents. All residents of the C.E.C, were accommodated on dwelling compounds laid out in straight avenues.
