Xikala

Xikala: History and Urbanity of a Neighbourhood in Luanda documents the history, urban transformation, and everyday life of Chicala, a waterfront neighbourhood in Luanda, Angola. Developed through participatory research methods, the book brings together residents, local authorities, academics, and professionals from different disciplines to construct a collective archive of the neighbourhood’s social and spatial realities.

Combining historical research, mapping, oral testimonies, and architectural investigation, the publication explores Chicala as a repository of memory, identity, and urban culture. Produced through a collaboration between Agostinho Neto University and London Metropolitan University, Xikala offers a nuanced understanding of one of Luanda’s most significant and contested urban landscapes, while reflecting on broader questions of urban change, informality, and the production of local knowledge.