African project
Casas Melhoradas – Mozambique
The project features a suspended plywood ceiling containing insulation foil as well
as mosquito net protected natural ventilation openings, securing comfortable indoor
climate. New windows were added to the old ground floor, improving the indoor climate.
A deep access gallery oriented towards the private outdoor areas give access to the two
new housing units and works as a covered porch, which provide shade from the sun and
shelter from the rain.
Background
Mozambique is located in Southeast Africa and is one of the poorest countries in the
world. The capital, Maputo is characterized by urban development without effective
planning, without enforcement of regulation, without appropriate infrastructure provision
and urban sprawl, which cause increased infrastructure deficit, decreased mobility, loss of
farmland and decreased access to employment, health and education systems.
The city was developed by the Portuguese colonial rule until independence in 1975.
Today Maputo has a population of more than 2.5 million with approximately 80% of the
population living in slums. The city has a high population growth rate (approximately
5% annually) and expands horizontally at high pace, covering vast areas with low urban
density developments with limited infrastructure provision.
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