Inclusive urban planning for upgrading an informal settlement

Many developing and emerging economies have experienced rapid urbanization and rising living standards in recent decades, resulting in sustainability-related problems and other hazards that may go unnoticed when considering sustainable development plans. In this context, poverty alleviation and rapid economic development typically take precedence over environmental aspects. However, better urban planning and management are needed to limit the impact of unprecedented growth on cities' livability. This study presents the results of integrated and participatory territorial planning, which promotes efficient and sustainable territory and development governance and develops an integrated local development plan (LDP) that integrates urban-environmental and socio-economic aspects in an informal settlement in a developing country, Pemba City in Mozambique, through inclusive and collective planning decisions. We propose a multidisciplinary geographical information system-based framework methodology for spatial evaluation and visualization, which supports scenario development by involving stakeholders and citizens in decision-making processes and providing targeted suggestions for devising LDPs. The project achieved the following outcomes: (i) increased citizen participation; (ii) generation of guidelines and tools for integrated and participatory territorial planning; and (iii) improvements in human well-being, particularly among youth and women. The results can aid urban planners in designing sustainable strategies for developing countries and engage stakeholders.