Yaoundé: from village to capital – what urban model for the future?

“Yaoundé is no longer the city we knew twenty years ago, marked by the arrival of modern infrastructure from the city centre. But today, the city where I was born extends far beyond its famed seven hills. I truly love this development.” These are the words of a native of Cameroon’s political capital. Mbarga Obama, now about 90 years old, recounts with delight the major steps in the transformation of his village into a sprawling metropolis.

“In the past, the urban core was limited to the Atemengué plateau, with a slight expansion toward neighbourhoods like Mokolo and Nlong-Kak. The rest was semi-rural,” he added.

Since then, much water has flowed under the bridge, and the former village now attracts thousands of new residents every year, swelling the population over time to the point where many surrounding localities have been absorbed into the city.

This real expansion raises questions for many urban planners, such as Blaise Feugang, departmental delegate of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in Nyong et So’o. “In a city like Yaoundé, we should adopt vertical construction rather than the horizontal spread we see today. Building upwards is more economical, especially when it comes to installing utilities on a site. Moreover, aesthetic high-rises add to the beauty of cities.”

For most of the experts interviewed, to make the political capital more attractive, Cameroon would benefit from relocating its capital entirely to meet international standards. Failing that, it should at least help families improve their homes.