“Yaoundé is no longer the city we knew twenty years ago. The evolution has been marked by modern infrastructure spreading from the city center outward. But today, the city of my birth extends beyond its famous seven hills. I truly love this development,” says Mbarga Obama, a native of Cameroon’s political capital who is about 90 years old. He joyfully recounts the key stages of his village’s transformation into a major city.
He added, “Previously, the urban center was limited to the Atemengué plateau with slight expansion toward neighborhoods like Mokolo and Nlong-Kak. The rest was semi-rural.”
Since then, much has changed. The former village now draws thousands of new residents each year, steadily swelling the population and absorbing surrounding localities into the city.
This expansion raises questions among urban planners like Blaise Feugang, departmental delegate of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in Nyong and So’o. “In a city like Yaoundé, we must adopt vertical construction rather than the current horizontal sprawl. Building upwards is more economical, especially regarding infrastructure installation. Additionally, aesthetically pleasing buildings enhance a city’s beauty,” he says.
Most experts interviewed believe that for a more attractive political capital, Cameroon should consider relocating its capital to fully meet international standards, or at least help families improve their homes.
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