Demographics- research

 Kitwe is a city situated in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia, known for its mining industry and vibrant cultural scene. It is a hub of economic activity and cultural diversity, providing a unique setting for the multi-faith centre project. Kitwe is home to a diverse population with various ethnicities, languages, and religious beliefs, making it an ideal location for a multi-faith centre that caters to a broad community. It is important to conduct research on Kitwe in order to customise the design of the multi-faith centre to local cultural, religious, and social dynamics, ensuring it goes along with the community's identity. It will help me to ensures that the multi-faith centre becomes a true reflection of Kitwe's collective identity while promoting inclusivity and catering to diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. 

 

Kitwe's 2024 population is now estimated at 792,350. In 1950, the population of Kitwe was 45,887. Kitwe has grown by 29,369 in the last year, which represents a 3.85% annual change (worldpopulationreview.com, 2024).

 

 

Kitwe population chart 

The chart below shows that Kitwe has a notable concentration of youth, which indicate a dynamic and potentially growing population which implies that there may be increased demand for educational and recreational facilities, and fostering youth engagement could contribute to community development.

Age chart

Zambia has diverse ethnicities which includes the Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, and others. Kitwe, being part of Zambia, has a representation of these and possibly additional cultural groups.

In 2021, The CIA World Factbook showed the Ethnic groups in Zambia with their percentage: Bemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4%. Ethnic diversity adds to the mix of cultural customs and traditions in the community, which can be seen in various celebrations, rituals, and everyday activities. Different ethnic groups also bring their own social norms and ways of communicating, and acknowledging and respecting these differences can improve social interactions and promote a sense of togetherness in diversity which are considerable points for my project. 

Christianity is the main religion in Zambia, with different branches like Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Anglicanism being quite prominent. Alongside these, traditional or indigenous beliefs may still be observed, with some people following traditional African religions that involve worshiping ancestors and performing spiritual rituals. There are also smaller groups that practice other religions like Islam, Hinduism, or Sikhism. Protestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (www.indexmundi.com, 2021)

Gender chart 

This data displays the overall population of Zambia from 2012 to 2022, categorised by gender. In 2022, around 10.14 million people in Zambia were female, and approximately 9.88 million were male (O’Neill, 2024).

Prior to the colonial era, Zambia's diverse ethnic groups resided in separate communities, each with its own unique culture. Urbanisation and the impact of Western culture have led to significant changes, yet Zambians continue to uphold their traditions and observe more than 20 ceremonies and cultural festivals annually across various regions. These events range from small, exclusive gatherings involving young individuals to larger village-wide celebrations, and even open festivals drawing crowds of tens of thousands, sometimes attended by the country's leader (Tony and Pell, 2019).Cultural events and festivals in Kitwe preserve and display the city's cultural identity. They offer a way for communities to express their traditions, values, and heritage. Taking part in these events promotes social bonding and a feeling of belonging within the community, bringing people together and creating opportunities for interaction and relationship-building. These events often include diverse elements that include different age groups, promoting inclusivity and contributing to a sense of unity by highlighting shared cultural experiences. 

With all the information gathered during this research, I can conclude that for the multi-faith centre to serve the community it should be designed with architecture that includes elements from various cultures and religions to make everyone feel welcome. It should also include multipurpose areas to accommodate the youthful population and promote interfaith dialogue to encourage understanding and collaboration among diverse religious backgrounds. Additionally, it should incorporate local architectural features. By taking these factors into account, the multi-faith centre can meet the specific needs of Kitwe while providing an inclusive and culturally respectful space that supports diverse religious customs and traditions.

Reference 

worldpopulationreview.com. (2024). Kitwe Population 2021 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs). [online] Available at: https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/kitwe-population [Accessed 16 Feb. 2024].

www.indexmundi.com. (2021). Zambia Demographics Profile. [online] Available at: https://www.indexmundi.com/zambia/demographics_profile.html#:~:text=19%2C077%2C816%20(July%202021%20est.)&text=Bemba%2021%25%2C%20Tonga%2013.6%25 [Accessed 16 Feb. 2024]. Source: CIA World Factbook.

O’Neill, A. (2024). Zambia - total population by gender 2022. [online] Statista. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/967971/total-population-of-zambia-by-gender/#:~:text=This%20statistic%20shows%20the%20total [Accessed 16 Feb. 2024].

Tony and Pell, B. (2019). Zambian Culture - Language, tribes, religion, art and music. [online] Victoriafalls-guide.net. Available at: https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/zambian-culture.html [Accessed 16 Feb. 2024].