Abstract:
In the past 25 years, the City of Inhambane (CI) has experienced significant growth in its built-
up area, which doubled in size, increasing from 6,582 hectares in 1997 to 12,681 hectares in
2022, a 92.66% increase. This growth was driven by the development of the tourism sector and
the availability of urban land. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining
qualitative and quantitative methods, including a literature review, secondary data analysis from
the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the Municipal Council of Inhambane (CMCI), semi-
structured interviews with local stakeholders, and both direct and indirect observation using
Landsat satellite images. The neighborhoods of Josina Machel, Machavenga, and Siquiriva were
the main contributors to the increase in built-up area, representing 41.05% of the total. However,
the growth occurred in a disorganized manner, driven by private initiative and land occupations
based on good faith and inheritance. One of the main challenges in this process is the lack of
adequate infrastructure and basic services, along with the insufficient involvement of the state in
urban planning. The built-up area expanded linearly, following communication networks, with
an internal densification of infrastructure. To ensure orderly, sustainable, and inclusive growth, it
is essential that the state intensifies its efforts in urban planning, implementing effective policies,
creating essential infrastructure, and promoting green areas and public spaces.
