Urbanization, Informal Settlements, and Social Welfare in African Cities: A Comparative Analysis of Mauritius

Urbanization in African cities has accelerated rapidly over recent decades, leading to significant challenges such as informal settlements and inadequate social welfare services. Data was collected through a combination of secondary sources, including government reports, academic journals, and surveys conducted by non-governmental organizations. A comparative analysis approach was used to assess the effectiveness of urban planning initiatives and social welfare programmes in addressing the needs of residents living in informal settlements. A notable finding is that despite efforts by the Mauritian government, a substantial proportion (30%) of the population continues to reside in informal settlements, highlighting persistent gaps in urban development strategies. While some progress has been made in improving housing and social services for informally settled communities, there remains significant room for improvement, particularly in ensuring equitable access to welfare benefits across different socio-economic groups. Future research should focus on enhancing the integration of informal settlements into urban planning frameworks and strengthening mechanisms for delivering targeted social welfare support to marginalized populations.