Valentin Sana

Socio-Environmental Analysis of the Habitat of Kinshasa Valentin Sana

This study deals with the socio-environmental analysis of the habitat of the Nka district located in the commune of Nsélé in DRC. The analysis of the living environment of the households gives a fairly good idea of the precarious state in which the population lives in the peripheral districts of Kinshasa. The study shows that the population has a high rate of occupation in the liberal or informal professions. 48% of the heads of household carry out this liberal activity, i.e. small trade, agriculture, handicrafts and others. And their monthly remuneration is less than $50; the majority of the population, i.e. 79%, use uncovered traditional latrines; more than 73% of households bury waste in the plot; about 26% of houses are built of recycled materials; very few people use hygienic drainage methods, i.e. only 7% of households. In view of the above, we can therefore say that environmental precariousness characterizes the environmental framework of the Nka district. And poverty is the basis for the production of the urban fabric of this district. Therefore, the district must be restructured as soon as possible.