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AFRICAN CITIES MAGAZINE 2nd EDITION This second edition of our magazine takes up some of the major axes that underlie the development of African cities. A special feature is devoted to education in architecture and urban planning in Africa in the first part. Then we address major issues of the urban future of the continent including public spaces, urban resilience, smart city. etc. You will have the opportunity to discover special interviews with some of the major actors of architecture and urbanism on the continent, who will present their visions for the African cities of tomorrow. Inspiring projects in architecture and urbanism are also presented, especially those that promote better social inclusion, integration of local communities, and local economic development. Finally, this second edition of the magazine shows the place of religious cultures in architecture in Africa before highlighting inspiring urban art projects. We hope you enjoy this second edition of our magazine and that it will give you a better perspective of African cities and inspire you to contribute more to the creation of more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities in Africa. Download the english version Telecharger la version Francaise AFRICAN CITIES MAGAZINE 1st EDITION This first edition of AFRICAN CITIES Magazine on resilient and sustainable development through innovative solutions is the first edition of this annual magazine. With a series of innovations, initiatives, and projects on urban planning, architecture, or design, this first edition will showcase how innovative ideas and solutions shape urban systems into more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable human settlements in Africa. Through different portraits and interviews of practitioners, innovators, and change-makers in architecture and urban development, we hope to share experiences, examples, best practices, and tools for a more sustainable future. We also hope to showcase the beauty, diversity, challenges, and opportunities in African cities of today, as well as paint a picture of what the cities of tomorrow will look like. We hope you enjoy this first edition of our magazine and that it encourages you to be more actively involved in the establishment of more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities in Africa. Download Magazine in English Download Magazine in French Share

Stratégie nationale de prévention et d’amélioration des bidonvilles au Cameroun < Back Les approches gouvernementales de résorption de l’habitat précaire au Cameroun Idrissa Mouchili À travers la Stratégie Nationale de Développement 2020-203, le Cameroun met place plusieurs actions dont le programme national de résorption de l'habitat précaire. Monsieur Idrissa Mouchili urbaniste au ministère de l'habitat et du développement urbain, présente les composantes de ce programme. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MouQJWj8GXk

< Back Revitalizing Heritage: Strengthening Community Engagement through the Amu Fakhri Yangu - Kawanda la Ustawi Project Mohammed Ali Mwenje; Iga Perzyna; Franka van Marrewijk This article reviews the Amu Fakhri Yangu–Kawanda la Ustawi project, a collaborative initiative designed to enhance community involvement in the preservation and development of public open spaces in Lamu Old Town. Conducted from June 2024 to February 2025, the project was led by African Architecture Matters (AAMatters) in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Lamu Museums, and the Lamu Heritage Site Community Organization (LAHESCO). Rooted in participatory design and traditional knowledge, the project aimed to build local capacity, revive traditional crafts, and develop context-specific tools for sustainable urban heritage development. Key activities included research and workshops on lime production, coconut rope making, heritage mapping, professional forums on heritage planning, and children’s arts programs. The project, through a research-driven collaboration with local elders, documented traditional Swahili techniques—such as lime production and coconut fibre processing—and analysed their potential, along with indigenous motifs, for adaptation into contemporary construction and creative industries to produce sustainable cultural products for today’s markets. These were complemented by the physical upgrading of Mkunguni Square and concluded with a permanent exhibition and the creation of a bilingual Manual for the Activation of Public Spaces in Heritage Settings. The manual, distributed among local and international stakeholders, provides practical guidance for similar initiatives. Findings indicate that meaningful heritage conservation is most effective when local communities are actively involved and their knowledge is integrated into planning. Despite logistical, the project successfully generated local ownership, strengthened institutional networks, and influenced heritage policy. By aligning with broader recognized heritage frameworks, including UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape approach, the project offers a replicable model for community centered urban heritage revitalization in the Global South. Re-establishing the links - heritage at risk, community on the margins Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, is one of the most enduring Swahili settlements on the East African coast. Rich in architectural, cultural, and maritime traditions, Lamu’s urban morphology has been shaped by centuries of co-existence with its natural and social environment. However, over the past two decades, Lamu has faced escalating pressures from unplanned urban growth, loss of public spaces, climate vulnerabilities, and dwindling local participation in heritage governance. At its core, the project posed the research question of how community participation can be strengthened through the critical adaptation of traditional Swahili building and craft practices—such as lime production, coconut fibre processing, and indigenous design motifs—to address contemporary socio-economic and environmental challenges, and what this reveals about the role of intangible heritage in shaping sustainable livelihoods and urban resilience in African contexts. Mkunguni Square serves as the main public open space for the town, and is a popular meeting space for the residents and visitors for social connections and cultural activities. . Photo by Abutwalib Mohamed, July 2024. The expansion of urban sprawl has led to the encroachment of open spaces once used for communal gatherings, trade, and cultural expression. Meanwhile, top-down planning processes have reinforced the perception that heritage belongs to institutions rather than the people. Many residents, particularly youth and women, have been marginalized from decisions affecting the spaces they inhabit and their cultural identity. As a result, a disconnect has emerged between the preservation of built heritage and the lived experiences of Lamu’s communities. These challenges have been compounded by limited tools for participatory planning and a lack of institutional capacity to integrate heritage into inclusive urban development frameworks. While numerous heritage safeguarding projects have been initiated in Lamu over the years, many failed to establish long-term community ownership or deliver tangible socio-economic benefits. In this context, the project Amu Fakhri Yangu– Kawanda la Ustawi (Swahili for “Lamu, My Pride – The Public Open Space of Wellbeing”) was conceived as a collaborative response to re-center local communities within the processes of heritage-based regeneration. The initiative brought together African Architecture Matters (AAMatters), the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Lamu Museums, and the Lamu Heritage Site Community Organisation (LAHESCO), combining deep local knowledge with international support from the Creative Industries Fund NL. The project was directly inspired by UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) Approach, which promotes an integrated and people-centered methodology for managing urban heritage in the context of broader development. It also built on AAMatters’ previous experiences in historic urban conservation across Swahili coastal settlements, applying lessons learned in similar socio-cultural and environmental contexts to Lamu’s unique challenges. The project set out to foster greater community awareness and active involvement in the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of Lamu’s heritage. Through a series of community workshops, skills training, public space upgrades, and knowledge-sharing exchanges between Kenya and the Netherlands, the initiative aimed to shift the narrative of heritage from static preservation to dynamic participation. Specifically, the project pursued four key objectives: To increase community awareness and engagement in the socio-economic benefits of heritage through inclusive and participatory approaches. To empower local stakeholders to explore methods, strategies, and technologies for building capacity in resilient heritage-led urban development. To enhance public spaces notably Mkunguni Square through community-driven interventions that improve quality of life. To develop a practical manual for the (re)activation of public open spaces using heritage as a driver, offering tools for community groups, educators, and urban planners. Participatory heritage for urban wellbeing The Amu Fakhri Yangu project employed a community-centered methodology to promote urban heritage preservation in Lamu, focusing its activities on Mkunguni Square, a key public space accessible to all and which serves as the epicenter of the towns socio-cultural life. This strategic approach, informed by the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach, used the Square as a lens through which to investigate Lamu’s urban heritage and the importance of public spaces. Community engagement activities - mapping of heritage assets and identification of urban challenges in Lamu. Photo by Franka van Marrewijk, August 2025. The Square functioned as both a case study for understanding urban heritage and as a ground for tangible improvements, realized through community consultations and the expertise of local craftsmen. Initial planning involved extensive online meetings and community consultations to identify local needs and opportunities. The consultations underscored a critical finding: crafts once central to local livelihoods—such as lime production and coconut rope making, formerly thriving along the Usita wa Kamba thoroughfare and other specialized town spaces—have largely disappeared since the 2000s, exemplifying the broader structural decline of Lamu’s traditional crafts industry and its socio-economic foundations. The project leveraged key partnerships with local authorities, NGOs and business owners to maximize its impact and reach. A critical element was reviewing existing planning materials and previous heritage projects in Lamu to ensure alignment with ongoing initiatives. The implementation phase featured a mix of hands-on workshops, participatory heritage activities, and knowledge-sharing events, all designed to empower local communities and foster sustainable urban development. These activities engaged a diverse group of men and women and included: A Heritage Walk: Participants photographed elements of their surroundings they considered important, selected key images, and shared their perspectives in group discussions. Conservation Skills Workshops: A young men’s workshop focused on traditional shell-lime production, while a women’s workshop focused on coconut rope making. Both emphasized the socio-economic benefits of these traditional crafts and provided opportunities to collect valuable knowledge from experienced craftsmen. Professional Workshops: Local authorities and professionals participated in workshops that shared case studies from heritage-related projects in Zanzibar and mapped opportunities and challenges for urban development in Lamu. These sessions also aimed to identify ongoing initiatives, stakeholders, and potential cross-activities, promoting collaboration and awareness. Community workshop - discussions in Lamu Fort on the findings of the mapping exercises. Photo by Franka van Marrewijk, August 2024. Throughout the project, the team developed a storyline for an exhibition on the Historic Urban Landscape of Mkunguni Square, and a manual for Activation of Public Open Spaces in Heritage Settings. Data and feedback gathered through participatory consultations, oral testimonies with local elders, and direct observation of traditional practices, which were then thematically analyzed to identify both the technical processes and their socio-economic implications. While this approach offered valuable qualitative insights and privileged community voices, its methodological limitations include a relatively small sample size, reliance on memory-based accounts, and the short-term nature of project activities, which may not fully capture the diversity or long-term dynamics of Lamu’s craft traditions. Empowering communities through heritage-led urban transformation Heritage through play - educational activities for children held in Mkunguni Square. Photo by Abutwalib Mohamed, August 2024. Empowering Communities through Heritage-led Urban Transformation The project has had a tangible and lasting impact on Lamu Old Town, demonstrating how heritage can serve as a driver for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development. By linking participatory heritage activities with local knowledge and cultural identity, the project significantly improved public space use, enhanced institutional capacity, and fostered a renewed sense of ownership and pride among Lamu residents. One of the project’s most visible achievements was the upgrading of Mkunguni Square, a central public space historically used for communal gatherings and civic expression. Originally rehabilitated in 1986, the square had gradually deteriorated over time its stone benches were broken in places, worn out, and no longer inviting. Through the project, these previously neglected and degraded elements were restored using locally sourced materials, serving as a live demonstration for local artisans and youth to apply traditional techniques. Through hands-on workshops and collaborative activities, the project improved technical and participatory skills among local stakeholders. At least 150 residents, including artisans, youth, and women’s groups, took part in the workshops and low-tech heritage conservation techniques. This capacity-building helped bridge the gap between formal urban planning systems and local knowledge, enabling more effective community input into ongoing planning efforts such as the Lamu Island Urban Development Plan and the envisioned Urban Regeneration Accelerator project. Shifting perceptions: Heritage as a living resource Perhaps one of the most profound shifts brought by the project was in the community’s perception of heritage. Traditionally seen as the domain of institutions like the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), heritage is now increasingly recognized by locals as a shared resource with social, cultural, and economic value. Participants in the community sessions expressed a growing belief in the potential of cultural spaces to foster livelihood opportunities and strengthen identity. In focus group discussions, youth and women described the initiative as “a turning point in feeling included” in how their town is shaped. Mounting of the Amu Fakhri Yangu exhibition panels in Lamu Fort. Photo by Abutwalib Mohamed, February 2025. Institutional strengthening and professional exchange Beyond community engagement, the project also strengthened institutional capacity. Local institutions now have access to a manual for activating public spaces through heritage, a tool co-produced with community input and inspired by the UNESCO HUL Approach. This resource is already guiding similar initiatives in other parts of the town. Complementing the manual, the exhibition developed over the course of the project showcases the historic development, tangible and intangible elements of the Mkunguni Square. Presentation of the Amu Fakhri Yangu exhibition and manual at the Lamu Fort. The community had achance to review the final documentation of the programme Photo by: Mohammed Hassan, February 2025. Displayed at Lamu Fort, it continues to educate visitors and local schoolchildren about Lamu’s heritage. Together, the manual and the exhibition offer valuable learning materials about urban heritage and open spaces for a wide range of people. The Lamu experience demonstrates that urban well-being and heritage preservation can be strengthened when communities are actively engaged in innovative ways that build on their own traditions and cultural practices, offering a model that other African towns can replicate to foster inclusive participation, protect identity, and enhance the livability of their urban centers. Participatory urban development and craft training foster heritage conservation in Lamu The Amu Fakhri Yangu - Kawanda la Ustawi project successfully engaged the community in heritage preservation in Lamu through participatory urban development and capacity building in traditional crafts. Key outcomes included the creation of the Manual for the Activation of Public Spaces and a curated exhibition, both of which serve as lasting resources for future community involvement and heritage management. Continued support from the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and the Lamu Heritage Site Community Organization (LAHESCO) suggests the project’s potential for long-term impact. Drawing from African Architecture Matters (AAM) extensive community mapping work in historic Swahili settlements like Zanzibar, the project incorporated participatory planning and inclusive design approaches. These methodologies proved valuable in Lamu and are relevant to similar conservation efforts in Bagamoyo (Tanzania) and Ilha de Moçambique. However, some limitations were noted. Despite the central location of Mkunguni Square, the project involved a limited number of participants. Training in traditional crafts - rope-making from coconut fibers. Photo by Franka van Marrewijk, August 2025. The short-term nature of activities also highlighted the need for continued programming to maintain community interest and engagement. Additionally, while craftsmanship training provided valuable skills, it did not directly address the broader challenge of limited employment opportunities. For future initiatives, it is essential to prioritize ongoing engagement, continued skill development, and strategies that connect heritage preservation with broader economic empowerment in the community to build on the project’s success. 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< Back A Sustainable and Resilient Urban Transformation in Africa: The Dakar REVE Project, Leveraging IMM Diagnostics Carlo Andrea Biraghi, Sidy Sall, Fatou Bintou Sall, Massimo Tadi Based on the challenges faced by cities in sub-Saharan Africa, this article presents the application of the IMM urban diagnosis as a promising tool to address these issues and improve the sustainability and resilience of urban systems. This holistic approach, developed at the Politecnico di Milano, scientifically analyzes urban structure and its environmental performance using geospatial data. It can be applied to cities of any type and scale, either to an entire city to detect and prioritize potential transformation areas or to smaller sites to assess the impact of alternative transformation scenarios. By using free and open-source tools, it represents a viable solution to significantly enhance the precision and comprehensiveness of existing planning practices while keeping costs very low. Within the framework of the Dakar REVE (Green Regeneration) project, which addresses the improvement of urban public services through a set of complementary initiatives, the IMM was applied to the city of Dakar and was also transferred through a training program to local technicians. These activities are in synergy with others by the Dakar municipality to fully exploit the potential of geolocated technologies, promoting cooperation and integration among existing expertise in different fields. The results have the necessary granularity to bridge the gap between site and city scales, serving as a basis for further analysis or supporting the preparation of strategic planning documents. The rapid urban growth in Dakar demands innovative solutions for emerging structural and organizational challenges The massive and rapid growth of cities, particularly Dakar, presents new structural and organizational challenges. The chaotic production and occupation of space associated with this growth create acute cultural, technical, and economic difficulties. This reality, which endangers the very development of the city, affects multiple areas of expertise, including urban planning, architecture, sociology, and demography. In many cases, it even calls into question the analysis methods, design approaches, and intervention techniques of city managers. Additionally, urbanization in large cities is taking on new forms previously unknown (such as diffuse cities, alveolar spaces, etc.), which, due to the speed and scale of their characteristics and the lack of available resources, require entirely new approaches and intervention methodologies. This is why the City of Dakar and its strategic partners are actively seeking innovative solutions to make Dakar a resilient city. Dakar REVE advances sustainable urban development by enhancing waste management and civic participation The DAKAR REVE (Dakar Green Regeneration) project is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, following the December 2019 call for «Promotion of territorial partnerships and territorial implementation of the 2030 Agenda.» The project aims to contribute to the sustainable urban development of the Dakar region in the current context of climate transition by improving urban services and civic participation related to waste management. The multidisciplinary consortium has initiated a set of activities ranging from the construction of an organic waste collection center and the incubation of local green businesses to awareness projects in schools, training of local urban sector technicians, and the diagnosis of the entire urban system using the IMM methodology to provide strategic support for future planning initiatives. This project is a cornerstone for the success of the «Dakar Clean City» program, as well as for advocating at the local government level for the establishment of innovative public waste management and valorization channels. The project will conclude in January 2025, but some of its activities have already been completed. The Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM) offers a data-driven, systemic approach to urban sustainability The Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM), developed by the ABC department of the Politecnico di Milano, is a comprehensive procedure using various scientific techniques to analyze and evaluate the built environment at multiple scales. IMM is distinguished by its integrative and system-oriented approach, its focus on sustainability, its data-driven methods, and its alignment with global sustainable development goals (SDGs) The methodology involves a non-linear process that offers a systemic understanding of urban areas, proposes improvement strategies, and examines modification plans. IMM has already been applied globally in cities such as Tehran, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, and Milan. The methodology is structured in phases, starting with a diagnostic phase based on geospatial data, leading to the design and optimization of solutions. The first phase involves data collection and mapping, followed by geoprocessing to enrich the information. This data, divided into four components (volumes, voids, networks, and types of uses), is then integrated to describe relevant urban dimensions, called Key Categories (KC). The KCs—namely accessibility, diversity, effectiveness, interface, permeability, porosity, and proximity—are described using a combination of maps and numerical measures. These readings allow for both a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the potential of the current urban structure in relation to specific dynamics. The results are then further integrated to produce more synthetic representations that show the emergence of recognizable urban patterns. This process allows for the detection of the city’s weakest subsystems in terms of spatial areas and constituent elements. A meta-project then follows, defining a hierarchy of design actions to be undertaken to improve the performance of the existing urban structure. The actions identified have the advantage of being located in specific areas of the territory and can be compared with policies already implemented in the city. Ensuring data consistency for IMM application in Dakar was challenging but essential Geospatial data plays a crucial role in the application of IMM. However, the availability of data can vary significantly depending on the context, in terms of coverage, quality, granularity, topology, standards, and richness of attributes. Regardless of their quality, considerable effort is required to ensure consistency between local standards and those used to consolidate IMM procedures. This involves a collaborative effort between IMM experts and local points of contact to address discrepancies and ensure compatibility. The complexity of this work is further compounded by the interwoven nature of the correspondences between the elements of the two data sets. Data collection for Dakar was particularly challenging due to the absence of a geoportal and the lack of open-source data. Several conflicting sources were integrated into a new data set. Key activities included completing information on building floors and remapping population data, with efforts to simulate missing values. The type of uses data was manually classified with the help of local staff to align with IMM concepts. Network data was primarily sourced from OpenStreetMap, while high-quality authoritative data was provided for open spaces. This phase, known as Data Mapping, was conducted jointly by PoliMI, the City of Dakar, IAGU, and IPSIA. It should be noted that informal systems (housing, transport, activities) were not taken into account due to the difficulty of mapping them on such a large scale. However, their inclusion in the analysis is feasible if collaborative mapping campaigns are activated to determine their coherence and characteristics. IMM analysis in Dakar highlights critical urban challenges and guides future planning strategies The application of the Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM) to the city of Dakar has provided valuable insights into the major urban challenges facing this sub-Saharan African city. One of the most critical issues identified is the rapid urbanization and growth of informal settlements, which place considerable pressure on the city’s infrastructure and services. The analysis of the key categories «Proximity» and «Accessibility» revealed that while central areas of Dakar offer better access to points of interest and public transport, many peripheral neighborhoods suffer from low proximity and accessibility. This highlights the need for more equitable urban development and investments in infrastructure to connect all parts of the city. The evaluation of «Diversity» also underscored the importance of promoting a mix of uses and activities to create more resilient and adaptable urban environments. The results suggest that areas with low diversity are more vulnerable to external changes and may require targeted interventions to improve their robustness. Furthermore, the analysis of the key category «Interface» revealed issues with the quality of the road network, particularly in the north-west area of Ngor and in certain municipalities such as Hann-Bel Air and Mermoz-Sacré-Cœur. This indicates the need for infrastructure upgrades and improvements in connectivity and integration within the transport system. Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM) analysis The evaluation of «Porosity» and «Efficiency» provided valuable insights into the relationship between built volumes and open spaces, as well as the capacity of the urban structure to accommodate growth and development. Finally, «Permeability» refers to the directness of links and the density of connections in the transport network, indicating that while the peninsula limits access, some connections exist along the coast, offering guidance for future projects. These findings can inform future planning and design strategies to create more balanced and sustainable urban environments. The application of IMM to Dakar has demonstrated its versatility and potential as a tool for understanding and addressing the complex challenges faced by sub-Saharan African cities. The collaborative approach, involving local stakeholders and experts, was crucial in ensuring the relevance and applicability of the results to Dakar’s specific context. As the city continues its efforts to become more resilient and sustainable, the insights from the IMM diagnosis can serve as a foundation for the development of targeted interventions and the implementation of innovative solutions. The integration into the broader Dakar REVE project, which focuses on improving urban services and civic participation, further enhances the potential of this methodology to drive positive changes in the city. Moving forward, it will be essential to continue collaborative efforts between the city of Dakar, its strategic partners, and IMM experts to refine the analysis, integrate new data, and translate the results into concrete design scenarios and policy recommendations. In doing so, Dakar can pave the way for other medium-sized cities in sub-Saharan Africa to adopt similar data-driven and holistic approaches to urban planning and development. Strategic intervention prioritizes urban areas in Dakar for targeted development and infrastructure improvements A collection of maps synthesizing the various Key Categories (KCs) is presented. The first map confirms the overall good performance of the North-South axis and highlights concentrations of weaker cells primarily along the coast. The second map delves into qualitative aspects, revealing that the weakest areas from the previous map lack both uses and network components (shades of pink and purple). The central area, however, could slightly improve the Volume component (green cells). Richer insights can be obtained by closely examining this map at the local scale. The third map more clearly shows the concentration of weak cells on the West and East sides of a central core (Grand-Dakar, Biscuiterie, Sicap-Liberté) characterized by the presence of development opportunities. Finally, the last map outlines the largest concentrations of weak cells in morphological zones, which do not necessarily correspond to administrative units. A transformation priority was then defined for the 11 zones. First, Zone No. 1 (Île de Gorée) was excluded as it is disconnected from the urban system. Next, Zones 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 were also excluded as they are mostly within a constraint zone (airport, natural sites). Among the remaining zones, Zone 3 was identified as the most urgent due to its size, the presence of severe flood risks and other hazards, and its proximity to the city’s most performant areas. Zone 5 is significant in size, has good proximity to performant areas, and could serve as a «bridge» for neighboring weak zones. Synthesis Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM) Additionally, when considered together with Zone 3, it could help envision a horizontal axis within Dakar. Zones 2, 4, and 9 are lower priorities due to various factors such as location, size, and other transformation challenges. Among these, Zones 6 and 8 are the most interesting in terms of size and position due to the potential for creating continuity with adjacent areas. Given this, the final ranking is as follows: 3-5-2-9-4-6-8-7-11-10-1. Today, we recognize that territory is a space to be understood to grasp the dynamics taking place within it and to make the necessary decisions for its functioning. Since 2018, the city of Dakar has embarked on the process of establishing a Geographic Information System (GIS). In its ongoing quest to strengthen our GIS, the Dakar REVE project came at an opportune time. The training provided allowed city agents to acquire new skills in processing and analyzing territorial data. Moreover, the quantity of data returned at the end of the project will not only enrich Dakar digital atlas but also the modifiable data provided, facilitating future spatial analyses. This will subsequently generate insights to help the mayor and the municipal council better guide their city policies. The IMM urban diagnostic results for Dakar highlight its general applicability, requiring specific adjustments to local characteristics. The results, aligned with visual interpretations, reinforce the arguments. The next steps include incorporating new data and creating design scenarios for the municipality, based on the same IMM diagnostic process. Previous Next

< Back African Cities Magazine 6 October 31, 2025 Our cities are areas of high human, social, and cultural intensity. They are hubs of complex urban dynamics, marked by a diversity of uses, a plurality of actors, and a wealth of spatial forms. Rather than being mere abstractions or static entities, they are dynamic, living spaces that are integral to the daily experiences of their inhabitants. The application of so-called modern, uniform urban planning approaches often overlooks the unique local logic, expertise, and customs that deeply influence these urban environments. Reconciling forms, functions, and uses. This, according to our philosophy, is the true battleground of today’s cities in Africa. Indeed, turning cities into engines of sustainable growth begins first and foremost with reconciling with ourselves, with our ways of living, moving, and using space. This reconciliation requires rethinking city making through endogenous approaches, rooted in lived experiences, daily practices, and local imaginaries. It calls for the design of tools, methods, and policies that reflect realities on the ground rather than imposing disconnected models. In this mindset, the sixth edition of African Cities Magazine is devoted to examining public spaces. Through reflections, analyses, testimonies, and case studies from various cities across the continent, the special feature of this issue explores how public spaces can become engines of urban transformation, social cohesion, and collective identity. As always, African Cities Magazine aims to disseminate and inspire, but above all, it stands as a call to build our cities through endogenous approaches. A big thank you to all our authors and the editorial team consisting of Franck Heudjeu, Alice Jaouen, Franklin Yemeli, and Joel Mukalay. Enjoy reading, and see you next year for a new edition. Leandry Jieutsa, Founder and managing director of Africa Innovation Network Special feature: Public spaces in Africa The special feature of this edition captures the vibrant diversity and everyday life of African public spaces , where movement, culture, and community converge. It symbolizes the living fabric of the continent’s cities: from the busy streets of Douala and the green corridors of Bukavu , to the inclusive design experiments of Antananarivo and the waterfront spaces of Kribi . Through this image, the issue celebrates public spaces as laboratories of innovation, resilience, and social connection as well as arenas where citizens reshape their cities from the ground up, blending tradition, creativity, and collective imagination to define Africa’s urban future. Urban Planning Innovation The Urban Planning Innovation section highlights forward-thinking initiatives reshaping African cities through technology, collaboration, and inclusive governance. From Douala’s efforts to rethink social engineering in the age of artificial intelligence and climate change to the Africapolis 2050 projections guiding the continent’s urban expansion, these articles explore how innovation can address complex urban challenges. Featuring insights on mobility along Douala’s Wouri Riverbank , digital transformation in Rundu’s water management , and participatory governance in Cameroon , this section also revisits Zaria’s post-colonial urban trajectory , revealing how planning legacies and new tools intersect to build more equitable, sustainable, and adaptive cities. Interview with Omar Degan the curator of this inaugural edition and the founder of the Pan African Biennale as organization Africa has always been the center of life, of resources, of knowledge. This Biennale is about reclaiming that center. It’s about shifting the architectural discourse from one imposed on Africa to one authored by Africa. Architecture Innovation This section celebrates the creative and cultural resurgence shaping contemporary African design. Through reflections on the Symposium of African Architects , this section explores visions for sustainable and context-driven urban futures. It also presents practical innovations, from semi-durable shelters for displaced populations and multi-use infrastructures in Yaoundé’s markets , to the revival of traditional gathering spaces . Closing with a focus on African architecture and urban heritage , it showcases initiatives like Amu Fakhri Yangu – Kawanda la Ustawi , where heritage conservation becomes a catalyst for community engagement and inclusive urban renewal. Enjoy reading English version Version française Previous Next

< Back Pedaling for Change: Cycling as a Catalyst for Sustainable Urban Mobility in Africa We delve into the challenges and initiatives surrounding urban mobility in Africa. As the continent experiences rapid urbanization, increasing traffic congestion, air pollution, and road accidents have become critical issues. However, a shift towards sustainable urban mobility is emerging, spearheaded by organizations like Critical Mass Nairobi, advocating for cycling as a viable transportation mode. Cyprine, the Executive Director, emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, policies, and changing cultural perceptions to promote cycling and walking. The lack of supportive policies and infrastructure, negative cultural perceptions of cycling, and gaps in education pose significant challenges. Collaborative efforts between civil societies, government bodies, and international organizations, like the Sustainable Mobility for Africa initiative, aim to address these challenges. Initiatives such as the Kisumu Sustainable Mobility Plan and the Nairobi Bike Train demonstrate innovative solutions, highlighting the importance of community engagement, partnerships, education, and policy support in fostering sustainable urban mobility in Africa. Urban mobility is a critical issue in Africa, where rapid urbanization and population growth have led to increased traffic congestion, air pollution, and road accidents. In 2023, an estimated 60% of Africans are living in urban areas, up from 40% in 2010. By 2050, Africa is expected to be home to 2.5 billion people – many of whom will live in cities where they will increasingly use motorized transport. The number of motor vehicles in Africa is also projected to increase significantly, from 100 million in 2023 to 400 million in 2050. This will lead to even more traffic congestion and air pollution, and will also make it more difficult for people to afford transportation. This unprecedented growth is putting a strain on urban transportation systems, and many African cities are struggling to keep up. However, there is also a growing movement towards sustainable urban mobility, driven by organizations such as Critical Mass Nairobi which is a nonprofit organization that has taken up the challenge of transforming our cities into safe, accessible, and liveable cities by using bicycles. They are a group of cyclists who are passionate about making a difference in their city. They believe that cycling is a sustainable, affordable, and healthy way to get around, and they are working to promote cycling as a viable transportation option in Nairobi. Every last Saturday of the month, Critical Mass Nairobi hosts a group ride through the streets of Nairobi. The rides are a way for cyclists to come together and raise awareness on the benefits of cycling. They are also a way to show motorists and pedestrians that cyclists deserve to share the road. Cyprine, the Executive Director of Critical Mass Nairobi, advocates for more sustainable urban mobility in Africa. “There are other modes of transport other than motorized transport out there that are better, healthier, good for the environment, good for the community and bring the community together,” she says. Additionally, governments and international organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of sustainable urban mobility and investing in infrastructure and policies to support it. For example, In February 2021 the County Government of Kisumu and City of Kisumu launched the Kisumu Sustainable Mobility Plan (KSMP) . The mobility plan is a ten-year roadmap that aims to foster increased access for city residents by prioritizing walking, cycling, and public transport. Cyprine, who was part of the team that developed and adopted the KSMP, is proud of the work that has been done. She says, “ I am happy I was part of the team that supported the development and adoption of the Kisumu Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.” Furthermore, the African Development Bank launched the Sustainable Mobility for Africa initiative, which aims to promote sustainable urban mobility across the continent through investments in infrastructure, policies, and capacity building. The initiative has a target of mobilizing $10 billion in investments by 2030. Several key challenges limit the transition toward sustainable mobility in African cities In many African cities, the infrastructure for cycling and walking is either non-existent or poorly maintained, making it difficult and unsafe for people to use these modes of transportation. For example, a 2019 study by the World Bank found that only 10% of African cities have dedicated bike lanes. “If we had better infrastructure, we would have so many bicycles including electric bicycles. This means that people with disabilities or the elderly would have an easier and safer way of moving around. So having good infrastructure goes without saying. Even scooters and other types of soft mobilities all need somewhere to be used, and infrastructure is the biggest barrier to using those modes of transport,” explains Cyprine. The lack of policies and regulations also makes it difficult for businesses and individuals to invest in sustainable transportation options. For example, a 2020 study by the African Development Bank found that only 20% of African countries have policies promoting cycling. Unfortunately, these existing policies remain inadequate in guaranteeing the safety of cyclists, thereby necessitating them to be revised and updated. “We do not have proper policies and laws that demand or advocate for sustainable mobility. Our policies and our laws are very vague when it comes to walking and cycling. So you find that when you try to push for walking and cycling infrastructure in certain places, our policies and laws do not really support us,” Cyprine says. Moreover, In some African cultures, there is a negative perception of cycling and walking. This can make it challenging to encourage people to use these modes of transportation, even when the infrastructure and policies are in place. For example, a 2018 study by the University of Nairobi found that 60% of Kenyans believe that cycling is a mode of transportation for poor people. “A lot of us Africans are brought up to believe that car ownership is the next best thing after you finish school. The yardstick for being successful is being a driver or owning a car. So a lot of us aspire to own cars. So that really has a direct impact on the way we live our lives,and the way our cities are designed, because now when urban planners and engineers go outside, they see more people in cars. But ideally, more people are walking, but because cars occupy a lot of space, it is assumed that we have a lot of cars” Cyprine adds. Cyprine also explains that there is a disparity between education and the reality of sustainable mobility, “When I was in school, we were not taught anything about sustainable mobility or even designing sustainable cities. I’ve also had a chance to look at the Civil Engineering curriculum and it also fails to capture anything on designing sustainable cities or sustainable mobility. So our curriculum is failing us. What the professionals are taught has a very big disconnect with what the reality on the ground is.” NGOs and civil society such as Critical Mass Nairobi have played a crucial role in addressing the challenges of sustainable urban mobility in Africa. “When we started organizing our social rides in 2014, we had barely 10 people, and now every month from 2017 we've been having close to 400 cyclists and over 10 people who are new, so that means it's only getting better and now when you go outside, we have, through the advocacy work that we've been doing, bike lanes that are coming up and being improved, ” says Cyprine. She adds, “We have now gone a step further to map all existing bike lanes in Nairobi and identifying and geolocating each and every barrier there is on those bike lanes. We did this because we want our demands to be backed by facts and data. Having this data will also help us make recommendations to the Government on how best to design cycling infrastructure moving forward.” Government authorities also have a crucial role to play in promoting sustainable urban mobility in Africa. “I really want to thank the Kenyan Urban Roads Authority and the Nairobi City County Government for what they're doing. They're constructing a lot of walkways all over the city. We believe it is only a matter of time before we also start having more bike lanes constructedI can definitely see Nairobi having more people walking and cycling. “ adds Cyprine. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential for driving change in sustainable urban mobility Cyprine emphasizes the importance of partnerships and cross-sectoral collaboration, “We recently did a cross-pollination of critical masses between ourselves, Addis Ababa Abuja, Cape Town, Mombasa, Jinja and Kampala where we brought together all the critical masses in Africa and organized a ride on the World Bicycle Day. It was really good because we were able to share our individual experiences and also empower each other.” Cyprine highlights several innovative solutions for addressing the challenges of sustainable urban mobility in Africa such as their novel project, ‘The Nairobi Bike Train’. The Nairobi Bike Train is pegged on the concept of ‘safety in numbers’. Cyprine and her colleagues realized that there were hundreds of people who only cycled during the monthly rides organized by Critical Mass Nairobi. This meant that they were only cycling once a month. Other than getting people to cycle more as a group, the bike train concept is a way of encouraging people to use the bicycles for commuting. “We looked at the whole of Nairobi, mapped the main traffic corridors, and developed a time schedule and stops for those places. The bike train is meant for different neighborhoods, and people can be picked up along the road at different pick up points which we called ‘Bike-stops’. Today we have 7 successful bike trains with the largest bike train having 247 members,’’ she explains. Additionally, public-private partnerships can leverage the resources and expertise of both sectors to create sustainable mobility solutions. Community engagement is also essential for creating a sense of ownership and empowerment among users of sustainable mobility. Education and training are also critical for promoting sustainable urban mobility in Africa. Cyprine emphasizes the importance of educating people about the benefits of cycling and walking, as well as promoting a positive perception towards the same, “If we start instilling the knowledge that ownership of cars is not the next best thing, we could start making people fall in love with cycling more and walking more and make people understand that just because you are walking or cycling doesn't mean you are a poor man or you're just not able to afford a car.” Finally, policies and infrastructure are essential for creating a sustainable urban mobility ecosystem. Cyprine highlights the need for supportive policies and regulations. “The Government can also look at other incentives such as tax breaks or award system for those who use active mobility Additionally, infrastructure investments are needed to create safe and accessible routes for cycling and walking.” Previous Next

< Back Les territoires post-miniers Marocains : L'héritage minier de Jerada comme outil de régénération urbaine Alaa Halif Le Maroc, longtemps un site d'extraction minérale, voit ses villes minières décliner après l'épuisement des ressources, générant une crise économique, urbaine et sociale. Jerada, ville post-minière problématique, a perdu 30 % de sa population depuis la fermeture des mines en 2000. L'article explore des outils et stratégies pour contrer cette crise et éviter que Jerada ne devienne une ville fantôme. Il préconise une vision intégrée, incluant la réutilisation des anciens chemins de fer pour désenclaver la ville, la patrimonialisation des friches minières et la reconversion des territoires post-miniers marocains, positionnant Jerada comme un laboratoire pour ces transitions. Le Maroc était depuis longtemps un terrain d’extraction de minéraux, dont cette activité a été l’une des plus anciennes industries exercées par les populations marocaines depuis plusieurs siècles, grâce à la géographie du royaume riche en substances minérales dans de nombreuses régions, qui a donné naissance à des agglomérations urbaines qui n’existaient pas auparavant. Le problème de ces villes se pose après l’épuisement des ressources minières, sans aucune alternative économique à la mine, ces villes mono-industrielles connaissent une chute économique, urbaine et sociale. Au Maroc, 200 mines sont fermées1 sans aucun plan de fermeture ni de réhabilitation. En conséquence, le déclin urbain de ces villes entraîne une augmentation des terres vacantes et des friches urbaines avec de nombreux dégâts multidimensionnels. La ville de Jerada au nord-est du Maroc, est considérée aujourd’hui, comme étant le territoire post-minier le plus problématique du pays. La ville a perdu 30 % de sa population depuis la fermeture non préparée des mines du charbon en 2000, ce qui a fortement fragilisé son économie, son environnement et sa structure sociale et urbaine. À cet effet, cet article aura pour but de s’interroger sur les outils et les stratégies possible pour pallier contre la crise qu’a connue Jerada, qui risque au futur de devenir une ville fantôme. Malgré ses potentiels matériels et immatériels, pourquoi la ville n’a pas été reconverti jusqu’à maintenant ? et est-ce que l’exemple de Jerada peut servir comme prototype/laboratoire de réflexion pour les autres territoires post-miniers qu’on trouve au Maroc ? Le site minier le plus ancien d'Afrique du nord, aujourd’hui en déclin Jerada est située dans la région de l’Oriental, à 60 km de la ville d’Oujda. La ville s’est développée depuis la découverte de son gisement minier en 1927, comme étant le plus ancien site industriel et minier d’Afrique du Nord2, avec l’extraction du charbon, elle couvrait plus de 30 % de l’énergie du Maroc dans les années 80. Le problème c’est que comme toutes les villes mono-industrielles, le développement urbain et social de Jerada a été fondé essentiellement sur l’extraction des mines. Dont après l’épuisement des réserves et la fermeture non préparée des mines en 2000, la ville a connu une situation de déclin urbain et social. D’après le RJPH3, Jerada a perdu environ 30 % de sa population depuis la fermeture de la mine. Et jusqu’à aujourd’hui, la ville se vide de plus en plus de sa population. Plan territorial de Jerada, par Alaa Halifi, 2023 Les quartiers précaires de Jerada 2022 chloe liang Pourquoi le Maroc tarde face à la crise de Jerada ? Vingt-trois ans après la fermeture de la mine de jerada, la ville vit encore dans ses dégâts qui s’aggravent une année après l’autre. Jusqu’à aujourd’hui, aucun plan de reconversion de la ville n’a vu le jour, alors que partout dans le monde on trouve des villes et des territoires post-miniers qui ont eu une deuxième vie après la mine, comme la région Nord-Pas-de-Calais en France, qui a connu une transition réussite en réutilisant et sauvegardant son héritage matériel et immatériel, transformée en un patrimoine industriel riche et diversifié, inscrit comme patrimoine de l’Unesco. Certes, le sujet prend plus d’attention dans les pays étrangers, mais au Maroc, le déclin urbain des villes post-miniers, n’a pas encore constitué l’objet d’une vraie reconversion, et on se rend compte justement, que la problématique découle principalement du fait que le phénomène du déclin de ces villes est encore mal compris, et traité comme une simple dégradation urbaine, alors que la crise de ces villes est multidimensionnelle, et beaucoup plus complexe pour qu’elle soit réglée avec des gestes à petites échelles, alors qu’en réalité, ça nécessite toute une réflexion, urbaine économique et sociale. Ces premiers discours sur le déclin territorial n’ont pas débouché sur une véritable inflexion des politiques publiques : les territoires concernés comme Jerada, ont simplement fait l’objet d’une ‘’mise à niveau’. Ceux-ci permettent certes d’afficher la présence de l’état, mais ils ne sont pas susceptibles de relancer des territoires Les citoyens de Jerada en attendant le changement 2018 Fadel Senna Quelle vision pour le futur de Jerada ? Du fait que la mal compréhension de cette crise empêche que Jerada soit reconverti, la vision globale d’un projet de reconversion c’est de repenser ce territoire en crise avec toutes ses complexités, depuis le manque de connectivité entre la ville et les communautés urbaines voisines, jusqu’aux conséquences matérielles et immatérielles de la fermeture de la mine, tout en valorisant le réseau écologique interrompu et dégradé par les activités minières, et en intégrant le capital humain de la ville dans le processus de transition. Ceci dit, le plan de reconversion ne doit pas être réduit à une simple reconversion d’une friche ou d’un quartier, non plus réduit à des gestes architecturaux comme une usine ou une mise à niveau des voies, mais il doit agir sur plusieurs échelles qui répondent aux différentes facettes et complexités du territoire, qu’on a réparties sur deux axes stratégiques : Suturer le territoire : un réseau de mobilité régionale Premièrement, à l’échelle territoriale, la ville de Jerada est fortement déconnectée de sa région, Il est primordial de la désenclaver et la reconnecter à son contexte régional non pas juste au niveau d’infrastructures mais en tant que zone d’intérêt pour la région de l’Oriental. Cet objectif peut être atteint grâce au réseau existant de voies ferrées abandonnées, construites en 1936, afin d’assurer la connexion avec le port de Nador, où se faisait l’export du charbon vers l’Europe. Ils sont connectés avec le reste de la région notamment avec des grandes villes comme Oujda et avec quelques villages satellites où ça se faisait le traitement du charbon. Avec la fermeture de la mine en 2000, ce réseau des chemins de fer perd sa fonction d’origine. En conséquence, on a aujourd’hui 450 kilomètres linéaires de voies ferrées abandonnées, mais avec la situation enclavée de Jerada, et le besoin primordial d’une connexion avec les centres urbains voisins, ces chemins de fer présentent des possibilités de mobilité assez intéressantes, surtout qu’ils relient Jerada à l’aéroport Oujda Angad, et au futur grand Port West Med à Nador. La réutilisation de ces voies ferrées abandonnées peut offrir un moyen de reconstruire le transport en commun à l’échelle régionale en créant des liaisons quotidiennes entre Jerada et sa région, ça présente un outil de désenclavement et un moyen de dynamiser la région, tout en apportant des avantages économiques pour la ville de Jerada. 2. Humaniser la ville : la patrimonialisation de l’héritage industriel minier comme outil de régénération urbaine Deuxièmement, à l’échelle de la ville, le but majeur c’est d’adapter la ville au nombre d’habitants actuels, afin de les offrir un cadre agréable, qui va les encourager à rester et vivre en confort ; il faut donc proposer un plan de restructuration axé sur : un programme de développement économique, l’amélioration du parc de logements de la ville, des espaces publics et de la mobilité, et surtout la réhabilitation des friches de l’industrie minière, qui présentent du vrai potentiel pour la transition de la ville. C’est une mémoire collective qui témoigne d’une période cruciale de l’Histoire du Maroc qui est en train de se perdre. Il est temps de mettre en place une stratégie d’intervention visant à réhabiliter et valoriser les espaces miniers en les considérant comme composante du patrimoine culturel national…La réhabilitation et la valorisation peut prendre plusieurs formes : préservation du cachet architectural et urbanistique, réhabilitation et valorisation des espaces en friche. Il s'agit des excavations, galeries souterraines, terrils, installations et entrepôts abandonnés. Ces espaces peuvent abriter des activités de loisirs (musée minier, équipements sportifs), des locaux administratifs ou commerciaux. Friche miniere de Jerada 2017Mehdy Mariouch Vers une transition réussie Comme on vient de voir, la reconversion d’un territoire post-minier, doit principalement être basé sur des stratégies urbaines à multiples échelles, et non pas sur des gestes architecturaux à petites échelles. Le système proposé se focalise sur la réutilisation, la valorisation et la patrimonialisation du territoire avec les éléments et les vestiges de l’époque minière et non pas faire table rase, et refaire la ville à zéro. Collage avant et après d'une friche minière à Jerada reconvertie en un lieu touristique 2023 Alaa Halifi Désenclaver pour intégrer L’intervention à l’échelle macro au niveau territorial est indispensable car l’intervention qui va suivre (à l’échelle de la ville) dépend énormément de l’intégration de la ville dans son contexte régional, et deuxièmement, parce qu’avec le cas de Jerada, c’est impossible d’avoir une reconversion réussite sans reconnecter la ville à sa région. Si on veut se projeter dans le futur, on verra que la reconnexion du territoire avec les centres urbains voisins, grâce à la création d’un réseau de mobilité régional en réutilisant les anciens chemins de fer industriels, entrainera de nouvelles dynamiques et accessibilités à Jerada. La construction d’un nouveau système de mobilité régionale va permettre de relier les différents pôles de Jerada aux grands centres urbains. L’objectif du nouveau réseau régional n’est pas seulement d’améliorer la mobilité, mais il est également conçu comme un outil de développement pour augmenter les opportunités des habitants, en améliorant l’accès aux emplois et aux services. Sans oublier, qu’en se basant sur plusieurs expériences identiques, le désenclavement urbain entrainera l’augmentation des prix des terrains à Jerada, tout en attirant de nouveaux projets et investissements à la ville. Collage avant et après des chemins de fer reconvertie en un système de mobilité régionale 2023 Alaa Halifi Résilience territoriale : Du macro au Micro et vice versa La reconversion des friches minières de la ville, peut constituer la nouvelle colonne vertébrale de Jerada, cette ville qui dépendait depuis sa naissance sur la mono-industrie, sera dotée d’une programmation riche et diversifiée, les nouvelles fonctions doivent être connectées entre eux à la fois matériellement avec des voix, corridors, chemins de fer, espaces publics, et immatériellement au niveau fonctionnel dans une sorte de synergie, scénographie et économie circulaire… Les friches existantes, due leurs tailles monumentales, et leurs structures appropriables, ont du potentiel à se transformer en des vrais équipements à impact régional ou même national (un musée national de la mine à titre d’exemple). Le désenclavement régional est étroitement lié à la reconversion de ces friches dans le sens où ça va connecter les nouveaux programmes proposés au reste de la région, en les donnant plus de valeur et de dynamismes. De plus, il ne faut pas oublier qu’une partie des habitants de Jerada ont été adaptés au déclin pendant ces dernières années avec des coopératives qui créent des produits dérivés de l’agriculture locale. La plupart de ces produits sont exportés vers les grandes villes. Ceci dit, le désenclavement entrainera non pas juste plus de vente et d’export, mais ça peut encourager des marchés locaux au sein de Jerada, comme celui du Safran à Midelt et celui des bijoux d’argent à Tiznit, où les clients et les vendeurs de gros viennent à Jerada pour acheter ces produits de leurs sources à prix bas. Collage avant et après d'un terril reconvertie en un parc urbain 2023 Alaa Halifi Jerada comme laboratoire des villes post-minières Marocaines Les stratégies proposées sont basées sur la reconversion des éléments existants. Les chemins de fer industriels qui traversent la région, les cités, les terrils, et les friches sont des éléments indispensables dans chaque territoire minier, non pas juste à Jerada. Ça nous mène à notre prochain point, on trouve plusieurs villes post minières partout au Maroc, par exemple Kettara, Ahouli, Boulanoire, Touissit et Sidi Boubker qui sont tous des villes minières marocaines qui sont dans la même situation que Jerada, un grave déclin urbain qui pose un défi multidimensionnel, économique, sociale et urbain, sans écarter le risque de se transformer en villes fantômes. Et si on propose des stratégies pour ces territoires en se basant sur l’expérience de Jerada ? Imaginons alors une vision nationale pour les villes post miniers du pays, les stratégies inter-échelles proposées sont certes réplicables, mais ça doit être développé par rapport à chaque contexte de ces villes, à titre d’exemple, Jerada peut avoir la vocation culturelle et patrimoniale, Ahouli peut être reconvertie en l’intégrant dans des circuits touristiques déjà existant dans la région de l’atlas, Kettara peut avoir la vocation artisanale, etc. Collage avant et après d'un terril reconvertie en une zone d'agriculture urbaine 2023 Alaa Halifi De nos jours, où les taux d’urbanisation et de la population des villes marocaines se multiplient tout en entraînant une augmentation des villes et des métropoles. On y trouve de l’autre côté, plusieurs villes et régions qui sont confrontées à une tendance inverse, de grave décroissance urbaine. Durant cette recherche, qui est le fruit d'un travail académique, que j’ai mené à la fois théoriquement (recherches, documentation) et pratiquement (Investigations sur le terrain, discussions avec les citoyens), je me suis rendu compte que la reconversion de ce type de sites nécessite une réflexion assez différente, dont la première problématique qui interrompt la transition de ces territoires, c’est la mal compréhension du phénomène du déclin urbain. Alors que Jerada a du vrai potentiel à réutiliser et valoriser : un patrimoine matériel et immatériel inexploité, qui peut être la clé de sa reconversion. L’expérience de Jerada, peut fonctionner comme laboratoire d’expérimentation pour les autres villes post minières, car au-delà de ces territoires déjà en déclin, il faut aussi rappeler que dans les années à venir, plusieurs sites miniers fermeront après l’épuisement de leurs réserves. Il faut donc penser dès à présent aux stratégies de transition à élaborer, afin de faire face aux dégâts, et peut être dans une vision plus globale, est-ce qu’on peut voir un jour un programme national de reconversion de ces villes post-miniers ? avec la même vision et mobilisation qu’a eu le programme des villes nouvelles6, mais avec plus d’optimisme et de contextualité ? collage Genius loci de jerada 2023 Alaa Halif Previous Next

Capture the best of urban innovation and transformation at the very heart of your city, through the prism of a photograph or short video. < Back "African Urban Visions" Contest Capture the best of urban innovation and transformation at the very heart of your city, through the prism of a photograph or short video. Participate to the "African Urban Visions" contest Calling all urban innovators! 📸🎥 Share the soul of your city's transformation in a snap or a short video. The contest aim is to catalyze the ingenuity and creativity of those involved in Africa's urban fabric , by inviting participants to capture the best of urban innovation and transformation at the very heart of their city , and to share their vision through the prism of a photograph or short video . Let your creativity capture the vibrant essence of Africa's urban evolution! 🏙️💡 Show us the magic through your lens. Deadline: 19 January 2024 All the details here 👉🏾 https://africancitieslab.org/en/contest/ Previous Next

Nairobi is Kenya's capital, premier city, and one of Africa's most important cities. Nairobi is East Africa’s largest and most industrially diversified city with a population of about 5.0 million. The city has grown and transformed significantly in recent years, in large part due to real estate and retail developments that have reshaped the city’s built environment. This series illustrates the dynamics in place in this bustling capital of East Africa. Nairobi-Kenya Nairobi is Kenya's capital, premier city, and one of Africa's most important cities. Nairobi is East Africa’s largest and most industrially diversified city with a population of about 5.0 million. The city has grown and transformed significantly in recent years, in large part due to real estate and retail developments that have reshaped the city’s built environment. This series illustrates the dynamics in place in this bustling capital of East Africa.

Taman Mouhadi, consultante et artiste, souligne l'importance de solutions locales et l'engagement de la jeunesse africaine face aux enjeux climatiques urgents. < Back Innovation et Tradition : La Vision Africaine de Taman Mhoumadi pour le Climat Taman Mhoumadi Taman Mhoumadi, alias Tamaha, artiste polyvalente et consultante en dérèglement climatique, met en lumière la perception erronée que le changement climatique est un sujet exclusivement occidental. Soulignant la vulnérabilité particulière des pays africains aux impacts climatiques, elle cite l'érosion côtière au Sénégal et les perturbations agricoles comme exemples flagrants. Taman insiste sur la nécessité d'une meilleure compréhension et acceptation du dérèglement climatique pour intégrer climat et développement durablement. Malgré les faibles émissions historiques de l'Afrique, elle appelle à l'action face aux projections futures, voyant dans les défis climatiques une opportunité d'innovation et d'emploi, notamment pour la jeunesse. Elle prône l'utilisation de solutions existantes adaptées aux réalités africaines, de l'agriculture ancestrale à la construction durable, tout en soulignant le rôle crucial des artistes dans la communication et l'éducation sur les enjeux climatiques. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shnrhhqnzQI

< Back Urbanisme tactique : les artefacts urbains comme vecteur de mobilité durable pour une meilleure qualité de l’air dans la ville de Yaoundé Cedrix and Christolle Tsambang Les artefacts urbains, inspirés des symboles locaux et fabriqués en bambou, offrent une alternative durable, abordable et écologique pour un cadre de vie plus sain. Conçus pour encourager la marche et l'utilisation des transports en commun, ces installations éphémères s'intègrent harmonieusement dans l'espace urbain. La fermeture temporaire d'une voie de l'avenue Kennedy a incité les habitants à adopter des modes de déplacement doux, réduisant ainsi les émissions polluantes. Cette démarche souligne l'importance de repenser l'aménagement urbain pour favoriser la mobilité durable et préserver la qualité de l'air. En impliquant les artisans locaux et en utilisant des matériaux biosourcés, cette initiative contribue également au développement économique et à la protection de l'environnement. L'expérience de l'avenue Kennedy démontre le potentiel des équipements urbains pour dynamiser les espaces publics et créer des villes africaines durables et attrayantes. Une meilleure qualité de vie dans les villes africaines passe par la création d’un cadre de vie plus sain en repensant les pratiques notamment en matière de mobilité urbaine. C’est dans cette optique que s’inscrit les artefacts urbains développés par chorus architecture le long de l’avenue Kennedy de Yaoundé au Cameroun à l’occasion de la semaine de la qualité de l’air. Il s’agit d’une scénographie inspirée de symboles locaux obtenus par une combinaison contemporaine de lignes ou de faces en tiges de bambou. Le bambou plébiscité pour ses propriétés et son attrait dans la mutation vers une architecture durable se présente ici comme une alternative verte, accessible, disponible et abordable. Plus que de simples mobiliers urbains, les installations éphémères conçues sont le reflet du lieu. Vue sur l'avenue kennedy réamenagé, 2021, alaray studio Les artefacts urbains ont été conçu pour la mise en place d’une Opération d’urbanisme tactique qui entre dans le cadre de la réalisation des actions à court terme du projet de mise en place des outils de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique dans la ville de Yaoundé. Au cœur de l’enjeu de transition écologique, la qualité de l’air apparaît comme un sujet très important pour la protection environnementale. Mettre sur pied une politique en faveur de la protection de la qualité de l’air doit s’inscrire dans une dynamique globale et nécessite des actions ambitieuses à toutes les échelles, afin de garantir à chacun le droit de respirer un air qui ne nuise pas à sa santé. Le concept de mobilité durable comprend une réflexion sur l’environnement et les problématiques de développement durable en repensant l’aménagement du territoire et de l’espace urbain. Il s’agit de limiter l’empreinte carbone et de réduire les inégalités territoriales dans les zones mal desservies par les transports, en mettant en place des solutions qui favorisent le recours aux mobilités douces. Le dispositif de lutte contre la pollution de l’air dans ce projet s’organise autour de la réduction des émissions atmosphériques causé principalement par le trafic routier, source importante d’émissions d’oxyde d’azote. L’augmentation de l’utilisation des transports en commun engendre un désengorgement sur les routes et réduit donc les substances polluantes dans l’air. Dans le centre-ville de Yaoundé les principaux transports en communs sont les taxis et les bus. Encourager à la marche serait également moyen d’améliorer la qualité de l’air tout en étant un excellent moyen de se maintenir en forme, de s’évader du quotidien tout en respectant l’environnement. Le choix du site n’est pas anodin, l’avenue Kennedy lieu mythique de la capitale est situé en plein cœur de Yaoundé et est un endroit très indiqué pour un projet de sensibilisation car toutes les couches sociales s’y côtoient. L’objectif des artefacts urbains est de contribuer à aménager des espaces urbains favorables à la mobilité douce tout en mesurant grâce à des capteurs la qualité de l’air. Il était donc question de fermer l’accès aux véhicules sur une des voies de l’avenue Kennedy pendant deux semaines afin d’inciter les habitants de la ville à plus de marche à pied et l’utilisation des transports en communs. Afin de favoriser une marche agréable et effective sur une avenue de plusieurs kilomètres tel que celle de l’avenue Kennedy il est important de créer des zones de rupture, de pause : créer des obstacles tels que des mobiliers urbains utiles afin d’agrémenter la marche et la rendre dynamique. Le mobilier urbain est donc tout à la fois porteur d’une approche fonctionnaliste et le vecteur d’une identité du projet. Le mobilier de l’espace public fait d’ailleurs aujourd’hui l’objet d’attentes qualitatives fortes en tant que véritable outil d’aménagement urbain. Il existe dans la définition même du terme « mobilier urbain » la volonté d’harmonisation, d’homogénéisation et d’appartenance : des objets rendant service, venant faciliter et embellir la vie des citoyens d’une ville. Pourtant, il semble que le mobilier urbain lorsqu’il existe est trop souvent le produit d’usages spécifiques très déterminés, qui ne laisse pas suffisamment place à des questions plus larges sur la nature de ces usages mêmes. Chorus architecture a donc designer des artefacts en guise de mobiliers urbains afin de susciter de l’interrogation, de la surprise et de la curiosité pour expérimenter de nouvelles pratiques et mettre sur pied de nouveaux concepts en amenant à remettre en question notre compréhension de la réalité afin de réintroduire l’humain dans l’urbain. Conçus et fabriqués localement avec des matériaux biosourcés de ces artefacts urbains ont permis de développer et mettre en avant le savoir-faire local en intégrant différents types d’artisans, créer des emplois tout en participant à la protection de l’environnement. En optant pour du mobilier en bambou, les artefacts concilient élégance, originalité et engagement contre la déforestation dans une perspective de développement durable. Vue sur une partie de la scénographie, 2021, alaray studio Grace aux capteurs installés dans la zone, il a été clairement démontré que la qualité de l’air à considérablement été améliorer durant ces deux semaines d’études. Ceci permet de constater l’impact sur la circulation automobile dans la ville et révéler l’importance et surtout l’efficacité des aménagements effectués. L’attrait généré par l’installation de ces équipements urbains démontre de la nécessité de réinventer nos villes en mettant un accent sur la conception de détails dans les espaces publics. De plus, des équipements urbains comme ceux-là constituent une plus-value notable pour les municipalités, et ce, quelle que soit leur taille ou leur importance. Si certains éléments présentent un aspect pratique, comme ces mobiliers urbains, de nombreux autres aménagements peuvent permettre de dynamiser la vie communale. Penser des villes africaines durables passent également par la re conception des espaces publics en mettant un accent sur l’intégration des éléments qui interpellent et qui communiquent. Cette expérience à l’avenue permet de constater qu’il est possible d’utiliser le savoir-faire local ainsi que les matériaux locaux pour créer des mobiliers urbains intéressant et respectueux de l’environnement. Previous Next

< Back Rural lessons for the city of the future an architect’s perspective Jurriaan van Stigt and Tea Kufrin The UN estimates that the urban population of sub-Saharan Africa will rise from 40% to 60% by 2050, posing challenges to urban quality of life. However, these analyses often overlook the rural context, underestimating opportunities for the remaining 40% of the population and disregarding the characteristics of rural communities in planning and designing urban expansion. Combining the rural and urban can create more liveable modern cities and attractive rural communities for future generations. In Mali, a school building called the Practical Training College for technicians and engineers was designed in Sangha, Mali, to create a lively living center for regional economic activities and a dynamic hub for youth. The design involved local stakeholders and incorporated themes such as desert ecology, nutrition, water use, irrigation, farming innovation, beekeeping, and solar energy. In Mauritius, LEVS proposed an urban plan and architectural design for the first 250 houses to be realized as part of the 'New Sélibaby'. The UN estimates that the urban population of sub-Saharan Africa will rise from the current 40% to 60% of its total population by 2050. Accordingly, there is considerable attention for the challenges this poses to urban quality of life, especially in West Africa, where the fastest growth is expected. Yet, these analyses often overlook the rural context in two important ways. Firstly, by underestimating the opportunities for the remaining 40% of the population that is expected to stay there. Secondly, by disregarding the characteristics of rural communities, their organization, and architecture, in planning and designing urban expansion. It is a missed opportunity: combining the rural and the urban can bring out the best of both worlds and create not only more liveable modern cities but also rural communities that are attractive for future generations. “Losses on both sides…” The intensity of urbanization in many West-African cities and the emptying out of rural communities has losses on both sides. On the one hand, there is the fast-paced overgrowth of anonymous residential areas on the outskirts of large cities, like Bamako, which results in underdeveloped informal settlements, lacking infrastructure, public services, and jobs. On the other hand, there are the rural towns and villages that see an entire generation leave, family-ties break and regional economic decline accelerates. The potential benefits of city life and the opportunities of rural life disappear. This requires investments in infrastructure and education in both cities and rural areas. From the perspective of an architecture office that has worked in Mali and its neighboring countries for over 25 years, we have drawn several lessons on how to make these investments fruitful. Practical Training College Sangha, construction of the second cluster, 2018, Photo by LEVS architecten “The 40%: Sangha, Mali…” In 2013, the Malian NGO Association Dogon Initiatives (ADI) and its Dutch counterpart Partners Pays-Dogon (PPD) commissioned LEVS for a school building in the small town of Sangha, in central Mali: a Practical Training College for technicians and engineers. Rather than a stand-alone building, the goal was to create a lively living center for the transformation of regional economic activities and a dynamic hub for youth. The college will facilitate the training of up to 900 students. A key element of the plan was the involvement of local stakeholders. They pointed out that themes such as desert ecology, nutrition, the use of water, irrigation, farming innovation, beekeeping, and solar energy all are at the forefront of many of the challenges faced by residents of Sangha and beyond. And by creating concrete opportunities for students in the region, they will not immediately head off for the capital, Bamako. The layout of Sangha follows natural elements in the landscape: houses are built on top of the rocky hills that come together like interlocking fingertips. The land in between is freed for agriculture. Our design for the practical college combines the fingertip-layout of the wider Sangha area with the benefits of fertile soils that are needed for various educational programs. By creating several small clusters of buildings within a walled plot of six hectares, the college terrain effectively becomes a new neighborhood at the edge of town. Sélibaby social housing, community involvement in construction, 2019, Photo by LEVS architecten The small clusters contain fifteen classrooms, four hangar-workshops, ten teacher-residences, and technical service buildings. Each cluster takes its inspiration from the traditional organisation of the Dogon family house. The house of the main family, those of the extended family, and the family granaries surround a central court and are connected by stone walls. In our design, these clusters in turn are surrounded by gardens with Moringa trees and green plateaus that level-out height differences in the terrain. Paths lead along the buildings, past the gardens and the water wells that are located on the periphery of the plot. By considering the conditions of the local build environment in this way, the design manages to innovate within the bounds of a UNESCO world heritage site. Currently, even the construction of several of the school buildings itself was executed by a first cohort of graduating students. All to secure regional attention for studying and working in Sangha. Strategy for a new model city, 2020, Illustration by LEVS architecten “The 60%: Sélibaby, Mauritania…” One of the main problems with urban expansion is that developers are often solely focussed on building houses, and nothing but houses. What can they learn from rural communities? Some years ago, LEVS was commissioned by the Mauritanian Ministry of Habitat to propose an urban plan and architectural design for the first 250 houses to be realized as part of the ‘New Sélibaby’. Based on our experience in rural Mali, we wondered: how can we integrate local traditions in a contemporary design instead of following only the standard technocratic design requirements? To that end, we tried to shift the attention from the often-imposed grid system. By inserting public and semi public spaces of different sizes and privacy levels, we aim to inspire people to form a livable community. This is achieved primarily through planning of public functions such as squares, parks, markets, mosques or schools. The typical wide and space-consuming streets are replaced by more traditional and shaded narrow streets and collective green gardens. Broken viewpoints create a sense of human scale, inviting the inhabitants to activate the public spaces. The plots are grouped into housing blocks, each of which will have a shared vegetable garden. The standalone kitchens alongside the street and low property walls invite social interaction. Grey water purification systems from bathrooms will provide enough water for the gardens at no extra cost. Ecological toilets are built and the next step is to introduce a completely off-grid system with solar panels and an independent water source. The sustainable houses are made of hydraulically compressed earth blocks which are produced on site of locally sourced clay. This natural material is suitable for making comfortable interiors in hot climates. The houses are built by local people, who have been trained beforehand. Students from the local technical school, women from the village, employers from a local contractor, soldiers from the government: together they work on the future of New Sélibaby. In a recent project proposal for social housing near Dakar, we took the ideas from Sélibaby a step further. Here, different housing typologies for different users, each with an incremental approach, offer the opportunity for house extensions as families grow. It allows, for example, multi-storey housing blocks. Additionally, we minimized the sizes of plots, and compensated the apparent loss of square meters with shared gardens and parking spaces. “A symbiosis of cities, towns and villages…” What is lost in this process of rapid urbanization is a sense of local community and economy, in cities, towns and villages alike. As architects and planners we see opportunities in all these places to build environments that need not cost more, yet are productive of the kind of quality of life that people seek. In the city, this means creating an urban fabric that takes its organizational principles from local culture and respects living traditions as well as climate challenges: go beyond the rational plot, create shared public spaces and introduce off-grid energy systems and sites of food production so that a neighbourhood can become a self sustaining living environment, not just an externalized temporary residence. At the same time, one should give rural areas the credit they deserve as main sources of food security and as spaces that diminish the pressure on the ecosystem often created by urban expansion and lifestyle. Helping villages to thrive by creating more opportunities for their inhabitants will unburden urban migration. This process is most successful when developed and designed hand-in-hand with the end users, who understand what needs a specific region has, ensuring the viability of the built environment. One final important development not otherwise discussed here, is the availability of internet and digital communication in rural areas. The corona pandemic taught us that even though travel was restricted, we were able to continue most of our work. This means that in the near future, younger generations seeking new economic opportunities, need not necessarily leave for the city, when communication is online. In a healthy symbiosis, urbanization should benefit the rural population, as much as rural development should support the functioning of cities. We believe it is possible. Housing in Dakar, axonometric view of a neighbourhood segment, 2020, Photo by LEVS architecten Previous Next