Squatting in Angola

Squatting in Angola occurs when displaced peoples occupy informal settlements in coastal cities such as the capital Luanda.

[1] Angola became independent in 1975, then the Angolan Civil War began, lasting until 2002 and displacing an estimated 4 million people.

[2] War accelerated the process of urbanization since Luanda and other coastal cities were perceived to be safer places than the interior.

Since 2002, a city-wide gentrification process in Luanda has led to evictions for shopping centres and luxury homes.

[4] As well as occupying land, people also squatted buildings left derelict after being damaged in the civil war.