How Urbanization Changed the Meaning of Home
By Uwineza Roger | Lifestyle As cities expand across Rwanda, the meaning of “home” is quietly changing. What was once a space for family, farming, and togetherness has become smaller, faster, and more private. In rural communities, home life centered on sharing and connection. “In the village, you didn’t have to knock to visit someone every door was open,” says Mama Vestine, a 65-year-old from Rulindo. “Now in town, everyone locks their gates.” She added. Urban life brings convenience but also distance. Many city homes serve mainly as places to rest after long workdays. Apartments replace courtyards, and social media replaces fireside chats. Sociologist Jean Claude Habimana notes, “Urban living gives people privacy, but it also creates isolation.” The shift is also visible in design compact houses for nuclear families, not extended ones. Technology now shapes how people interact and spend time at home. Yet, some find new ways to connect. “I may not know my ne...