The emerging role of Mozambican small urban centres in local development: the case of Caia District

The paper takes into consideration the District of Caia, situated in central Mozambique where relevant processes, such as rapid urbanization and empowerment of local administrations, are involving small urban centres situated along the Zambezi River. The most important factors that influence the growth of such small urban centres are individuated and analysed. Moreover, attention is paid to actions and policies undertaken by district authorities to intercept new development opportunities and to manage the population flow from rural areas. Finally, transformations affecting small towns are analysed, together with the instruments implemented by the administrations to avoid the negative effects of a rapid and unplanned urban growth.