Barumbu

Barumbu is a commune in the Lukunga District of Kinshasa, located strategically in the northern region of the city. As of 2015, Barumbu had an estimated population of 413,628, making it one of Kinshasa's more densely populated communes.

Historically, Barumbu's development paralleled Kinshasa's transition from a colonial outpost known as Léopoldville to a sprawling urban center. The commune is often called Kinshasa's "museum commune" for its preserved historical architecture, including colonial-era residences constructed from compressed earth. Barumbu has seen rapid urbanization, with a notable increase in multi- story residential buildings, particularly apartment complexes. The area has also experienced a commercial boom, with a proliferation of shops and boutiques.

Geography

Location

Barumbu spans the expansive Kinshasa plain and extends into adjacent wetland areas. The commune lies within an east-west depression, where the water table is close to the surface, often within two meters. The base elevation of Barumbu remains around 280 to 282 meters; however, there is a gradual rise in the north, reaching approximately 286 meters along a coastal ridge.

Barumbu shares borders with several prominent communes and landmarks. To the north, it is bordered by the Gombe commune, delineated by a line extending from Avenue Télégraphie along Avenue Luambo Makiadi (formerly Avenue Bokassa) until it intersects with Avenue Bakongo. The boundary continues along Tabora Avenue, eventually meeting the Bitshaku-Tshaku River. To the south, it adjoins the communes of Kalamu and Limete, separated by the Kalamu River and the Matadi–Kinshasa Railway. The eastern boundary follows the Kinshasa-Matadi Railway line, extending between the Kalamu River and the Bitshaku-Tshaku collector, eventually reaching the Malebo Pool. To the west, Barumbu is bordered by the Kinshasa commune.

Geology

Barumbu's soil is predominantly classified as underdeveloped due to its alluvial composition. This soil, formed primarily from valley deposits, is light, highly permeable, and has limited humus content, with sand accounting for over 56% of its composition. Consequently, the soil in Barumbu is known for its sandy texture.

Hydrology and watercourses

Barumbu is traversed by several water bodies, including the Kalamu River and the Nyanza and Bitshaku-Tshaku collectors. The Bitshaku-Tshaku, Barumbu's main watercourse, runs southwest to northeast, fed by an exposed water table. Originating near Stade Cardinal Malula in the Kinshasa commune, it flows parallel to Kilosa Avenue and veers northeast at Itaga Avenue to merge with the river at Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports, covering approximately 2,800 meters. The Bitshaku-Tshaku has two significant tributaries, the Bakongo and Itaga streams, and receives rainwater from the Marais, Plateau, and Bokassa avenues.

The Bitshaku-Tshaku has a gentle slope of approximately 2%, with its entire length masonry-lined to stabilize its course. This waterway's trapezoidal cross-section, set at 45-degree angles, varies in width, reaching up to 6 meters in the downstream section with a depth of 2.3 meters. This structure can facilitate a flow rate of about 50 cubic meters per second in optimal conditions. However, the general condition of the Bitshaku-Tshaku has deteriorated due to dislocated masonry and extensive rubbish deposits that obstruct its flow.

Vegetation and climate

Historical records and aerial photographs from 1957 to 1960 indicate the presence of a natural vegetation cover during that period. However, urban development, land clearing, and extensive construction have significantly altered the commune's landscape. The remnants of Barumbu's original vegetation are now mainly limited to areas like the Binza Météo reserves, which serve as a reminder of the once-abundant flora. Today, the natural vegetation in Barumbu has largely been replaced by urban infrastructure, subdivisions, and various forms of cultivated greenery. The area is now populated with fruit-bearing trees, such as mango and avocado, along with ornamental plants, integrated within the urban layout and residential developments.

Barumbu experiences a humid tropical climate typical of Kinshasa, which is marked by two distinct seasons: a dry season lasting from mid-May to early September, spanning roughly three to four months, and a long rainy season from September through May, lasting about seven months.

Administrative division

The commune of Barumbu is administratively subdivided into nine neighborhoods, further partitioned into avenues. These neighborhoods operate as administrative units without autonomous legal standing.

Source: Independent National Electoral Commission (2009).

Infrastructure

Barumbu's basic structure of the commune's infrastructure is organized around densely built residential plots. These plots serve as the fundamental units of land use, with most dedicated to housing and some accommodating small street-side businesses. The average plot covers around 300 square meters, with a high land occupation rate where buildings cover 70% or more of the plot on three-quarters of the properties. This density impacts the residents' living conditions, leaving limited outdoor space, which is typically used as a shaded communal area for social gatherings and meals. Small businesses, such as kiosks for drinks or cigarettes, often operate at the plot's edge, near the street.

Its road network is limited, with the main boundaries marked by Bokassa Avenue to the west and Poids Lourds Avenue to the east, both of which serve as primary routes. Although these roads have a significant footprint of approximately 60 meters, the actual road width is narrow, measuring just 7 meters. The primary and secondary roads in Barumbu, which include extensions of Kinshasa, Kabinda, Kabambare, and Itaga avenues, are paved and generally in good condition, while tertiary, unpaved roads frequently deteriorate during the rainy season. Barumbu has around 18 kilometers of surfaced roads and 41 kilometers of dirt roads, which present challenges during wet weather. Key access routes to Barumbu include Kabambare, Bokassa, and Kasaï avenues, although these roads are in an advanced state of disrepair, with partial rehabilitation occurring only on sections of Kabambare and Kabinda avenues in 2009. Traffic congestion is common near Ndolo Airport due to poor road conditions.

The commune lacks a large central market, instead having three smaller markets known as "Wenze ya Imbwa", "Wenze ya Libulu", and Kabambare Market. Barumbu is also home to two military installations: Camp Ndolo, which includes a prison, and Camp Mbaki. Land management has posed additional challenges, with unauthorized encroachment on areas around the railway line leading to Kintambo and Kinshasa Central Station due to informal land sales by some agents.

Waste management and sanitation

Barumbu faces significant waste management and sanitation challenges. Plots in Barumbu are generally enclosed, and most residents are tenants. While the owner often resides on the plot, renting out sections to tenants, this is not always the case. If present, the owner usually has private sanitary facilities, while tenants share communal ones. These facilities generally consist of a toilet connected to a septic pit, which requires regular emptying, and a shower with water flowing freely onto the plot or toward the roadside gutter. Rainwater drainage is insufficient, often resulting in water pooling and flooding residences.

A 2007 inspection, partially funded by Lukunga District, reviewed 4,621 plots, revealing widespread issues:

* 13 plots lacked any sanitary facilities;
* 750 plots had Arab-style septic tanks in disrepair, while 450 plots had such tanks in good condition;
* 1,454 plots had standard septic tanks in good condition;
* 1,967 plots had deteriorating septic systems, including broken, perforated, filled, or open slabs.

Government

The ''Régie des Voies Aériennes de la République Démocratique du Congo'' has its head office in the Ndolo neighbourhood of Barumbu.

Economy

The airline Air Kasaï had its head office on the property of N'Dolo Airport in Barumbu.

When it operated, Hewa Bora Airways had its head office in Barumbu.

Demographics

Notable people

* Rebo Tchulo, singer-songwriter
* Ferdinand Essandja, politician and businessman
* Gloria Sengha Panda Shala, human rights activist
* Dikembe Mutombo, professional basketball player
* Debaba, singer-songwriter

References

See also

{{Communes of Kinshasa

Communes of Kinshasa
Lukunga District