Sustainable urban planning for the revival and development of an african rural area

Mozambique’s problem today is no longer only represented by the exceptional conditions of the emergency (floods, cyclones, epidemics) but by the rapid and uncontrolled urbanization. The paper objective is to determine guidelines that define the potential of an urban planning project for the revival and development of a rural area, through the urban restructuring of a location fallen into disuse. The text describes the application testing of a methodology of investigation, time to outline a cognitive basis to trace possible actions for improvement in respect of the identity of the place. Through the analysis of benchmarks and case studies the urban planning strategy is defined. It envisages the creation of an Ecological Municipal Park, as a tool for the sustainable development of the area, combined with the introduction of a university research centre that allows the restoration of the existing historical buildings. The results show that the establishment of the natural park can be used as guideline for the proper growth of the region, reducing the pressure of Maxixe urbanization process. Also, that the presence of an economic activity in the village improves the social and economic conditions of the surrounding rural communities. The research illustrated is part of the project development and experimentation awarded by the “Polisocial Award” of Politecnico di Milano.