[3] In alignment with this vision, Kalamu was developed alongside other communes, including Kasa-Vubu, Bandalungwa, Lemba, Matete, Limete, and Ngiri-Ngiri, as part of a broader effort to decentralize and manage the city's growing population.

[3] Historically, Kalamu was a savannah, but urban development has replaced much of its native vegetation with planted trees, commonly found within residential properties.

[3] The Funa River, often referred to locally as Kalamu (a term meaning "watercourse" in the Teke-Humbu dialect of the region's indigenous population), is the primary waterway in the commune.

While some planned areas exhibit systematic cadastral organization and stratified layouts, rapid urban sprawl and insufficient housing availability have precipitated the rise of informal settlements, particularly in flood-prone and marshy terrains.

[3] Unregulated building practices have given rise to a complex residential landscape, especially in "non aedificandi" zones, which were traditionally designated as unfit or restricted for construction.

[3] Certain buildings are constructed to house multiple families within one structure, a trend magnified by rural migration as people from neighboring villages relocate to Gombe seeking employment, healthcare, and other urban amenities.

[3] The commune is equipped with socio-community infrastructure, including Stade Tata Raphaël, the Funa general prosecutor's office, police sub-stations, markets, hotels, schools, and institutes of higher education.

The deforestation of nearby slopes reduces natural water absorption, while accelerated urbanization encroaches on the river's major and minor beds.

[3] Frequent and intense rains saturate the soil, generating excessive runoff and standing water, both of which contribute to the overflow of the Funa River.

Erosive activity upstream erodes soil, which then deposits in riverbeds, reducing channel capacity and elevating water levels by several meters.

Rainwater infiltration into the soil is limited due to erosion and poor land management, which increases surface runoff into the river.

Quantifying this pollution remains challenging due to limited statistical data, but it worsens as new spillways are constructed without comprehensive waste management planning.

[3] The widespread use of plastic sachets for water and other items has led to pervasive littering, with an absence of municipal strategies to address the issue effectively.

[3] The lack of proper drainage exacerbates sanitation issues, with stagnant rainwater accumulating in the streets and around residential areas, leading to unhygienic conditions compounded by outdated or inadequate piping systems.

Neighborhoods across Kalamu, including Kimbangu I, II, III, as well as older areas such as Matonge, Yolo, Kauka, Immo Congo, and Pinzi, suffer from a lack of organized urban planning and essential sanitation facilities.