Kinshasa, April 15th, 2025 (CPA) – The plan known as ‘Strategic Orientation Plan for the Kinshasa Conurbation (Sosak)’, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was proposed on Tuesday as a major response to flooding during a meeting with a provincial MP. The ‘Strategic Orientation Plan for the Kinshasa Conurbation (Sosak)’ (…) appears to be a major response to the recurrent flooding in the city of Kinshasa, a metropolis facing enormous challenges in terms of town and country planning. The Sosak plan is a long-term tool designed to guide each sector of urban development to ensure the harmonious growth of the capital’, said Roland Kisamba, MP for Bumbu. The MP for Bumbu pointed out that implementation of the plan was still tentative, and was even being ignored in a number of public and private projects. He went on to recommend that all sectors of activity systematically apply the plan in order to prevent risks, particularly those linked to natural disasters. In his view, the flooding and loss of life and property in Kinshasa following torrential rain could be avoided if the principles of Sosak were respected. He cited the case of Ngaliema Bay on the banks of the River Congo in the north of the capital. ‘This plan provided for the occupation of this area by a viaduct, a measure that was never applied. As a result, we have anarchic construction, obstruction of the minor river bed and worsening flooding’, said the provincial councilor. Mr Kisamba also cited other reasons for the flooding in the Congolese capital. These include the violation of established rules around the major river beds, such as the River Ndjili.
‘In principle, the banks must be cleared to within 10 meters of the line formed by the highest normal flood level. The aim of this precaution is to give the watercourses breathing space and limit the damage caused by flooding. But in reality, houses are being built just a few meters away, increasing the risk to people’, he explained. According to this elected official from Bumbu, the provincial government will not be able to succeed with its program without incorporating the Sosak ‘as a compass for all urban planning. Kinshasa can no longer continue to grow in a disorderly fashion. It is imperative that the local authorities strengthen the regulatory framework, ensure that it is strictly applied, and raise public awareness of the issues involved in sustainable development’. Drawn up with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the plan defines the main strategic guidelines for the development of the city of Kinshasa. It indicates the areas where the city will be expanding, sites with special functions, areas where building is prohibited, and the approximate location of the major facilities and infrastructure needed to support these developments. ACP/