Trans-scalar and WEF-sensitive Strategic Scenarios for an Integrated Territorial Development. A Proposal for the Maputo-Boane-Namaacha Transect as a Green-Blue Metropolitan Armature

The chapter presents some insights from “Boa_Ma_Nhã, Maputo!” research project concerning the need to reconceptualize spatial planning in the specific context of a growing sub-Saharan African city coping with the effects of climate change and a fragmented planning framework. The first part discusses the opportunity to embrace a metropolitan perspective and investigate alternative strategies and tools to overcome the weakness of mainstream planning paradigms when dealing with WEF nexus challenges in such a context. The second part presents an experimental study and proposal for the Maputo Province, including four pilot projects, one of which is discussed as an example of how trans-scalar strategic scenarios could facilitate WEF-sensitive metropolitan governance and planning processes: the Maputo-Boane-Namaacha (MaBoNa) Transect. This is envisioned as an integrated territorial green and blue infrastructure with the potential to set a synergy among public, private and third sector actors in supporting the sustainable development of the region, thanks to better balanced rural-urban linkages. From territorial guidelines to local development plans and projects, drafting strategic scenarios could mean co-producing platforms for building knowledge, promoting negotiation and facilitating decision-making: common grounds to foster cooperation.