Bandalungwa

Bandalungwa (often abbreviated "Bandal") is a commune in the Funa District of Kinshasa in the western region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Covering an area of 6.82 square kilometers, Bandalungwa is centrally situated within the city. It is bordered by the Gombe commune and the Kokolo military barracks to the north, Selembao to the south, the communes of Ngiri-Ngiri, Kasa-Vubu, and Lingwala to the east, and the Makelele River, Ngaliema, and Kintambo to the west. The commune had an estimated population of 934,821 in 2015, although official census data from 2016 reported a significantly lower figure of 259,760 residents.

Established in 1955, Bandalungwa initially served as a planned residential area for civil servants and teachers during the terminal phase of the Belgian colonial administration. This early phase of structured development distinguished Bandalungwa from the comparatively young and less organized communes of Kinshasa. Following Congolese independence in 1960, the commune experienced rapid urbanization driven by significant rural-to-urban migration. Residential buildings from the colonial era were expanded and replaced to accommodate the growing population. This period of rapid development precipitated heightened electricity consumption and exerted substantial pressure on the existing urban infrastructure. Despite challenges associated with unregulated urban growth, Bandalungwa evolved into a vibrant working-class area. Notably, it is home to several landmarks, including the family residence of Mobutu Sese Seko and the colonial-era Basoko Bridge, which was rehabilitated in 2013. The commune also features a mix of residential blocks and approximately forty flat hotels.