Urban Geography

Major Cities

1. Antananarivo (Capital City)

Population: ~1.4 million

Central hub of government, education, and economy

Features colonial architecture, bustling markets, and highland geography

2. Toamasina

Madagascar’s main port city on the east coast

Population: ~300,000

Key for trade, especially in exports like vanilla and cloves

3. Antsirabe

Known for thermal springs and textile industry

Population: ~250,000

Mix of colonial influence and local industry

 Emerging Cities

Mahajanga (booming tourism and port activities)

Fianarantsoa (growing due to education and wine industry)

Urban Models & Structure

Antananarivo exhibits a colonial legacy mixed with informal settlements.

Central business district (CBD) is surrounded by densely populated hillsides and sprawling suburban zones.

Urban growth often lacks formal planning, leading to housing challenges and congestion.

Urban Challenges

Housing & Infrastructure

Overcrowding in Antananarivo

Inadequate sanitation and clean water access

Informal housing in zones prone to flooding

Transportation

Poor road conditions and lack of public transit systems

Traffic congestion in major cities

Environmental Issues

Urban sprawl affecting protected areas and agriculture

Deforestation and pollution from urban waste

Zones of Abandonment, Brownfields, and Greenbelts

Brownfields: Abandoned industrial areas in older parts of Antananarivo or Toamasina.

Zones of Abandonment: Older neighborhoods with poor infrastructure see declining occupancy.

Greenbelts: Limited presence, but some protected areas around Antananarivo resist urban encroachment (e.g. Ambohimanga).