The physical environment of the people living in Lusaka is at first glance, impressive. The city is a new modern urban area with new buildings and “very European” residential areas. The newness of the city no doubt reflects very much the past neglect of Lusaka as a territorial capital under the Federation, when all major offices, public and private were located in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. In looking at the city, one must conclude that bulk of development has taken place in the last 10 to 15 years and that perhaps Lusaka has grown much to fast leaving the serious gaps of which some Lusaka residents complain in the social and cultural fields.

The Federation period seems to have left its mark in other areas as well as far as Lusaka (and much of the rest of Zambia is concerned). There is much residue segregation left in housing and district zoning and in interpersonal relationships. The whole concept of “compounds” of African workers is a direct influence from Southern Africa. The same applies to trading areas with Cairo Road in Lusaka, the first class trading area almost completely (in 1971) foreign owned with the 2nd class trading areas located to the south of the centre of the city in very clearly defined “African areas”. The government offices and ministries are largely located in the western suburbs.

The slums of Lusaka (and to a certain extent of the other urban areas) are very well concealed to the visitor. They are in many ways outside of the “keu” of the European resident, and the African and Asian middle classes. On the other hand housing in the African compounds seems to be on a higher level than any area in East Africa, reflecting the higher standard of living in Zambia.

The economy of the city is to a larger extent than many capitals based upon government which is of course the largest employer. There is some light industry but much of this seems to have been drained off by the copperbelt needs. Thus Lusaka is very much a political capital dependent upon the economic capital of the Ndola/Kitwe hub.

There is a certain amount of wholesale and retail trade of the sort that does little more than “supply itself” and perhaps not as completely as many Zambians would like at that since there were at the time I visited Zambia some serious shortages especially with regard to some basic agricultural products.