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< Back Influence of religion and beliefs in architecture Franklin Yemeli Religion and beliefs have significantly influenced the development of societies in Africa, particularly in the construction of monuments. Four such monuments are the Osun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria, the Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia, the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali, and the Aksum or Axum in Ethiopia. The Osun-Oshogbo sacred forest, located in Nigeria, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national monument, with numerous shrines, palaces, holy places, and worship places. The Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela, built in the early 13th century, are considered the largest Christian site in Africa. The Great Mosque of Djenné, built in 1838, is considered the most prestigious monument in West Africa. The city of Aksum, located near Ethiopia's northern border, was the heart of ancient Ethiopia's Aksumite Empire and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. However, some monuments are threatened with extinction due to human factors such as conflicts or uncontrolled urbanization. Africa, the cradle of humankind! People often speak of it as a rich and fascinating continent, a land of natural and cultural diversity. And this is not just talking, because if you look closely, you will soon realize that this place is unique. From its breathtaking landscapes to the cultural practices and lifestyles of its people, this continent has much to seduce and inspire. However, one essential thing that is not talked about enough is the African monuments. They stand out because of their originality and, especially, the place they hold in the hearts of the local populations. Here, religion and beliefs have particularly influenced the development of societies and this is reflected in their buildings. Let’s discover together four of these monuments built by the local populations themselves and which still make the whole world dream. “Osun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria…” About 250 kilometers from Lagos, in the south of Nigeria, lies the town of Oshogbo, the capital of Osun State. On the outskirts of this town is one of the last surviving areas of the primary forest despite deforestation, the Osun Sacred Forest. It is crossed by the Osun River, which is very important to the local community. The state, the forest, and the river are named after the goddess Osun, a deity of the Yoruba pantheon who is believed to reside in the river. Throughout the year, tourists and pilgrims visit the river to pay homage to the goddess. The three “heads” of the Ogboni Shrine In the Osun-Oshogbo sacred forest, there are about 400 species of plants, more than half of which have medicinal properties. Amid this dense vegetation, numerous shrines, two palaces, five holy places, and nine places of worship have been laid out along the banks. Over the past four decades, numerous sculptures and works of art have been erected in honor of the goddess Osun. From the 1950s onwards, the forest’s history was marked by Suzanne Wenger, an Austrian adventurer and artist. After falling ill and being treated by a local herbalist, she married a Yoruba priest, adopted the local culture and devoted her time to restoring the shrines, defending the forest and the culture of the Yoruba, until she died in 2009. Together with local and foreign artists, Suzanne Wenger created the «New Sacred Art» movement in the early 1960s. Today, the modern sculptures they created stand side by side with the old traditional ones. These are intended to underline the sacredness of the place and to celebrate the deities. This restoration has given the place a new lease of life, making it a symbol of Yoruba identity beyond the country’s borders. Because of its sacred character, this forest is an important place for the community and its relationship with its deities. Indeed, regular worship services are held here, and every year festive processions are held to renew the mystical ties between the goddess and the people of Oshogbo, ensuring the preservation of the living cultural traditions of the Yoruba. The forest has been under the administrative control of the Osun State Government since 1990. Several measures have been put in place to prevent hunting, fishing, smuggling, logging and farming. After being declared a national monument in 1965 and upgraded in status in the 1990s, the forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. “The Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia…” Some 645 kilometres from the capital Addis Ababa, in what is now the Amhara region, lies the magnificent Lalibela. Perched on a mountainside, this monastic city is considered the largest Christian site in Africa. Its charm stems from the eleven rock-hewn churches built in the early 13th century by the order of King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela. Indeed, with the expansion of Islam, pilgrimages to the holy city were becoming increasingly difficult. King Lalibela, therefore, wanted to allow the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to have their own Jerusalem on their land. Hence the names «Black Jerusalem» or «Ethiopian Jerusalem» are often attributed to this city. Its monolithic churches dug below ground level, several tens of metres deep, are not only an essential cultural asset for the community, but they have also helped to shape the landscape as it is today. They form two groups in addition to an isolated church. Bete Giyorgis ©Sailko To the northwest: Bete Debre Sina, Bete Mikael, Bete Gologota-Selassié, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel and Bete Medhane Alem. To the southeast, about 300m from the first group: Bete Gebriel-Rufael, Bete Merqorewos, Bete Abba Libanos and Bete Amanuel. To the southwest: the solitary cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis. A network of tunnels and gorges carved into the rock connect all the churches. Other elements referring to the Bible have been included in the planning of the site over the years to reflect the authentic Jerusalem as much as possible. These include the Jordan River and Mount Sinai. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, the site has been attracting more and more people from different horizons either on pilgrimage or to dis-cover the place. Like all other heritage sites, these churches are threatened over time by natural constraints, some more than others. After the creation of shelters scaffolded and covered with corrugated iron sheets to protect them, UNESCO launched a competition in 2001 to design more aesthetic protection. In 2004, construction of the shelters designed by Italian architects Claudio Baldis-serri, Lorenzo Sarti and Aldo Aymonino began. However, these sloping roofs supported by gigantic metal pillars are not unanimously accepted, and for some people represent more of a danger than protection. “The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali…” In the heart of the beautiful city of Djenné, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, lies a jewel considered by many as the most prestigious monument in West Africa: The Great Mosque of Djenné. In addition to being the largest mud building in the world, it is considered to be the supreme representation of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style. This particular style is characteristic of this region and makes the mosques in the Sahel very recognizable. But unlike the other mosques, the Great Mosque of Djenné was built in a place that had not previously hosted a religious building. It was built in 1238 by Sultan Koi Komboro on the site of his palace. After his conversion to Islam, he decided to demolish his palace and build a mosque in its place. The next sultan built the towers and the one after that, the surrounding wall. In 1819, the city was taken by Sékou Amadou, following a holy war. He decided to destroy the mosque built by Koi Komboro because it did not reflect the simple and uncluttered Islam he preached. He, therefore, built a more modest mosque and prevented access to the great mosque which, without maintenance, rapidly deteriorated under the action of the elements. When the French arrived years later, the mosque was in ruins. It is under this french occupation that the present building was built. It was built between 1906 and 1907 under the supervision of Ismaïla Traoré. The building was built on a platform of 85 m in length and 75 m in width with non-parallel sides. The platform is elevated 3 m above the natural ground level and is accessible thanks to six staircases that symbolize the passage from the profane to the sacred. The building has a maximum capacity of about 1000 people. Despite the apparent symmetry of the building, the facades are all different. Several elements contribute to making them sublime and authentic; in particular, the texture of the earthen material, the openings, the pilasters surmounted by cones, and above all the bundles of Rodier palm sticks which also serve as scaffolding during the plastering work. The eastern façade, facing Mecca, is the most ornate and monumental with its three imposing minarets. Inside the Great Mosque ©Juan Manuel Garcia The building has a roofed section supported by 90 huge pillars connected by ogival arches. The roof, which is 8 m above the lower floor, has 104 holes for lighting and ventilation of the interior spaces. An uncovered area at the rear is bordered on three sides by galleries. Every year, maintenance work is organized for this colossal and fragile jewel, to protect it before the arrival of the rains. The whole community takes part in the plastering work under the direction of the Djenné masons’ guild. The material used is a clever mixture of earth and water, with rice bran, shea butter, and baobab powder, made by the inhabitants themselves. This activity is accompanied by great festivities that are very important for the community. “Aksum or Axum in Ethiopia…” Located in a mountainous region near the northern border of Ethiopia, the city of Aksum was between the Ist and VIth centuries the heart of ancient Ethiopia, the Aksumite Empire. This Empire at the crossroads of three continents, Africa, Arabia, and the Greco-Roman world was more powerful than the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. Axoum (Éthiopie) ©UNESCO_Francesco Bandarin Today, the old city of Aksum, a symbol of this former glory, is characterized by massive ruins dating from the Ist to the XIIIth century. These include monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs, and ancient castles. The city, with its many archaeological sites, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Among the most important sites in the city is a large stelae park with tens of monolithic obelisks. These are among the largest man-made monoliths. The largest one still standing is over 23 meters high and has a beautiful engraved decoration. However, there was a 33 meters high one that is said to have collapsed during its installation. The broken pieces are still on the site. The inscriptions made in the stone were certainly not only of decorative value. They have proved to be of great importance to ancient historians. Some of them contain texts in three languages, Greek, Sabean and Geza, inscribed by King Ezana in the 4th century after Christ. In 1937, after the occupation of Ethiopia by Mussolini’s armies, one of the Aksum obelisks was removed from the site and taken to Italy as a war trophy. It was erected in Rome, in front of the building that housed the Italian Ministry of Africa until 1945 and which became the headquarters of the FAO in 1951. After committing to return it in 1947, Italy finally did so in 2005. This was followed by the reinstallation of the obelisk on its original site in 2008. Obelisks were used as tombs for the kings of old. Over time, many tombs have been excavated, some looted, others spared. Their contents are now preserved in the archaeological museums of Aksum and Addis Ababa. Another major site in the city is the Church of St. Mary of Zion, located near the large stelae park. It is one of the churches built after the introduction of Christianity in the 4th century after Christ and is supposed to house the Ark of the Covenant. It is a bit sad that such masterpieces are often ignored and it is even more worrying to learn that some of them are threatened with extinction. Indeed, alongside the list of Unesco World Heritage sites, there is the list of World Heritage in Danger. Several of these extraordinary sites around the world are already listed, threatened with extinction mainly by human factors such as conflicts or uncontrolled urbanization. The ancient city of Djenné has been on this list since 2016, as the insecurity in the region prevents the maintenance and protection of this jewel. On the other hand, climate change would also be a threat, as it would have a significant impact on the availability of quality mud for construction and maintenance work such as the Great Mosque. None of the other heritages mentioned above is included in this list, but the committee has discussed in the past the possibility of including Lalibela. Several of its monolithic churches are indeed in a state of severe deterioration. The good news is that these monuments are increasingly being considered, and steps are being taken to ensure that for a very long time to come they can continue to maintain the harmony of local societies, provide information on historical facts and ways of life, and above all inspire us with their majestic and lasting character. Previous Next

Foumban is a city located in the west region of Cameroon, with a population of 83,522. It is a major town for the Bamoun people and is home to a museum of traditional arts and culture. This series presents some shots of this museum as well as the urban landscape of the city. Foumban-Cameroon Foumban is a city located in the west region of Cameroon, with a population of 83,522. It is a major town for the Bamoun people and is home to a museum of traditional arts and culture. This series presents some shots of this museum as well as the urban landscape of the city.

< Back Digitizing Aguda/Afro Brazilian architecture heritage of Porto-Novo Benin through LIDAR scanning & social participation H. Killion Mokwete This study explores the use of LIDAR scanning and community engagement in the digital documentation of Aguda/Afro Brazilian architecture in Benin, as a vital component of the preservation of historically significant structures that face imminent demolition. Researchers from Northeastern University are working together on the project with local research partners from The African Heritage School-EPA in Porto-Novo. A small but significant digital database is developing as a result of several field studies, oral interviews, and digital scanning processes. This digital database is an essential component of a proof of concept pilot project that aims to create region-wide digital documentation and will involve collaborating with students and other local researchers to identify, catalog, and conserve Africa’s local building heritage. This pilot project is envisaged as a test case for potential expansion to other cultural regions with similar heritage buildings such as Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire where local partnerships are being developed. Digital tools and social participation are key to preserving postcolonial architectural heritage in Benin According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the African continent has some 98 designated World Heritage Sites (cultural) and more than half of these can be found in 35 Sub-Saharan African countries. However, many of these sites in Africa (a total number of 93, in 2018) are placed on the List of World Heritage in danger due to threats from extractive processes (mineral and oil exploration), armed conflict, acts of terrorism, climate change, poaching, and uncontrolled rural and urban expansions. Grande Mosque, Porto-Novo, Benin, by odysseesdarchitectures Most heritage buildings in Sub-Saharan Africa can be organized in three categories: pre-colonization (traditional), colonial and post-colonial. These eras provide a base socio economic and historical context which marks events and activities that shaped the urban morphology, geo-social landscape of much of the Africa continent and that of the global South. Traditional era of Sub-Saharan African building heritage can be defined as the period during which feudal African tribes and regions self-ruled and built varying vernacular structures dictated by socio economic status and means of production for each cultural region. The Colonial era in Africa can be defined as the period between the first colonization of an Africa Kingdom by the Dutch in the 16th Century when they colonized parts of the cultural regions of the modern day Ghana (Gold Coast). The colonization period saw the partitioning of African cultural regions into territorial boundaries defined by colonizers interests and colonial structures. The introduced colonial building typologies and urban morphology of urban centers included religions such as churches & cathedrals, trading centers, castles etc. The Post-Colonial era can be defined as the period after decolonization and independence of Sub-Saharan African countries. During this period, independence governmental buildings and other structures were built to signify new beginnings and future aspirations. The Great Mosque of Djenne, Part of Africa’s remaining building heritage that is a UNESCO Protected heritage site photo by zibaloo In this essay, we use culturally-significant sites in the West African nation of Benin as a case study to examine the ways in which digital tools, digital archiving platforms and local social participation may be leveraged to preserve cultural heritage building sites in African postcolonial societies. The focus is on the on the architectural heritage (between traditional and colonial) of the Aguda people and investigate the new ways of leveraging technology towards building heritage preservation, education and local empowerment through social participation. The Aguda of the Bight of Benin is a community composed the descendants of the Portuguese traders who settled in the region in the 1700s; the descendants of the Brazilian traders who came soon after; and the descendants of the retornados, i.e., former slaves who settled in this area upon their return from Brazil. The retornados, researchers put their numbers at anywhere from 3,000 to 8,000 were originally from a vast sub-region of western Africa, but upon their return, they settled mainly on the coast between Lagos, Nigeria and Anehó, Togo. Afro-Brazilian architecture in Porto-Novo reflects Aguda influence, yet faces neglect, limited preservation efforts, and climate threats. The Aguda’s influence in Benin’s urban morphology is best found in the City of Porto-Novo, where new typology of building style based on villa & manor designs of Brazil was mixed in with local vernacular to create a style popularly known as the Afro-Brazilian architecture style. This style is exemplified by building on generally two floors, with regular shapes, large verandahs on both sides of buildings with arcades, bays decorated with rich roman-like lintels and usually wooden shutters. The Afro-Brazilians returnees constituted artisans, cabinet makers, bricklayer’s/master builders, tailors, traders, carpenters and other trade skills. In 1897 in Lagos, there were 96 males registered with 6 cabinet makers, 11 bricklayers and builders, builders and master builders, 9 tailors and 21 carpenters, 24 traders and 17 clerks. 23 percent of the Afro-Brazilian populations were carpenters. Carpentry and bricklaying remain the main occupation of some of the Brazilian returnees. Afro- Brazilian houses are in a state of disrepair and suffer from neglect. The necessity for conservation and the salience of cultural heritage is mainly advocated by architects with limited resources towards rehabilitation and preservation. Typical private residence Afro-Brazilian (Sobrados) features two storey dwelling with clay ornate facades, decorated windows, balconies & doors with clay molding, breezeways (open source) Although some steps are being taken to protect heritage sites, Heritage protection in Porto-Novo, with a great successful example of the rehabilitation of the Vodoun sites across Porto-Novo by The Ouadada Cultural Centre) there is still not sufficient resources to undertake a comprehensive rehabilitation of all sites. The lack of resources organizations and advocacy towards building heritage also presents a diminishing role of local community in participating in defining their heritage assets and therefore loss of continuity across generation’s institutional memory. Furthermore, limited legal frameworks such laws towards heritage preservation for pre-development impact assessments make it easy for developers to prefer demolishing without any prior assessments. Benin, like most Sub-Saharan African countries, lacks accessible digitized databases and archive institutions with more African heritage archives being held in foreign institutions such as European, American and Australian universities and museums. The current work being undertaken by the (École du Patrimoine Africain (African Heritage School) lacks scaling opportunities and funding partnerships. Climate change impacts such as higher temperatures, worsening floods, threaten to condemn some African landmarks. There is no comprehensive data on the total number of African heritage spots at risk, but research co-led by Simpson on coastal sites found that 56 locations are already facing flooding and erosion exacerbated by rising sea levels. In Benin, the Aguda architecture buildings due to the material nature are quickly deteriorating due to heavy rains and flooding amongst others. A collaborative digital platform will preserve Benin’s architectural heritage by combining technology, local knowledge, and global partnerships The project’s conceptual framework for this research is centered on what is described by The Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (Council of Europe 2005) as ‘Heritage Community’ defined as “cultural heritage is a group of resources inherited from the past which people identify, independently of ownership, as a reflection and expression of their constantly evolving values, beliefs, knowledge and traditions. It includes all the aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time” . This new way of looking at heritage lays the foundations for redesigning relations between all the involved stakeholders. The proposed model for this project centers a partnership between researchers (local and international) and local community knowledge custodians through a social participation framework and leveraging technological tools towards documentation and curating of local building heritage physical and non physical cultural memory. By building on this collaborative platform framework, this research will leverage the following technologies and approaches: Modern 3D capture through LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry technology will be used to document the existing condition of heritage buildings and to create digital blueprints, enabling planners to prioritize preservation activities and furthering opportunities for future building renovations and reuse. Through centering community participation and storytelling, this research will activate community members’ role in celebrating unique cultural heritage embedded in their local built environment and defining and curating personalized building heritage narratives. Leica’s BLK360 Tripod LIDAR Scanner, BLK2FLY drone scanner, Infrared Temperature visualization, Onset Data loggers (Temperature & Humidity)Leica’s BLK360 Tripod LIDAR Scanner, BLK2FLY drone scanner, Infrared Temperature visualization, Onset Data loggers (Temperature & Humidity) By creating a locally hosted and searchable database of heritage buildings, this research will start the first-ever platform for an architectural heritage archive serving Benin and other sub-Saharan African countries. Creating three-dimensional digital models will enable community-based education and academic research opportunities focused on vernacular building methods, offering opportunities for virtual experiential connection, with focused outreach to the global African diaspora community seeking to connect and learn about African heritage. This innovative and interactive platform will be made accessible to local university partners (École du Patrimoine Africain (African Heritage School), who in turn will benefit from new opportunities for technical and socio-cultural teaching and research. The proposed platform will be based on a collaborative model, developed in partnership with local communities who are custodians of culturally significant architectural artifacts. Models, historical records, and local narratives about heritage sites can be shared with diverse local community members, leveraging local press, libraries, and municipal archives. There is a critical need for coordination and technical support from Northeastern University, where researchers and students will serve as partners with community-based organizations, bringing innovative tools for creating a multimedia digital archive, technical expertise, and cross-regional coordination to create and maintain the platform and to carry out ongoing research on traditional building practices and the cultural, historical, and technological significance of diverse architectural resources. A digital platform will document and preserve endangered heritage sites in Porto-Novo, Benin, using multimedia tools and local engagement The proposed digital platform will document heritage sites across sub-Saharan Africa using multimedia tools such as computer-aided drawings (CAD), photographic documentation, written narratives, audio storytelling, hand drawings, models, and other media. It will engage local communities by building their capacity to collect, preserve, and assess the social value of their built environment, fostering sustained participation in preservation activities. Additionally, the platform will serve as an educational resource, providing access to archival data on cultural heritage sites for researchers, educators, community planners, and citizens both locally and internationally. A proposal for a pilot project acting as a proof of concept for the broader research will be based in Benin, in the City of Porto-Novo in Benin and will analyze and document the cultural heritage building which is endangered through urbanization, neglect, climate change and other socio economic threats. Collaborating team: Dr. Franck Komlan Ogou, Dr. Jessica Parr,Dr. Patricia Davis, Bahare Sonaie-Movahed Previous Next

< Back Le fonds rotatif : un outil communautaire de cofinancement pour le développement des villes Pauline Leporcq, Bénédicte Hinschberger, Bea Varnai Le fonds rotatif pour la rénovation urbaine est un mécanisme de financement solidaire et inclusif, créé dans l’objectif d’apporter des réponses à un double défi : les revenus limités et l’exclusion bancaire des populations vulnérables des villes sénégalaises d’une part, et d’autre part le déficit d’infrastructures urbaines résilientes, d’habitat digne et d’accès aux services essentiels auquel elles sont confrontées. Cet outil de financement - porté par la FSH et son ONG d’appui technique, urbaSEN - s’inspire de la tontine, caisse d’épargne solidaire traditionnelle, dans laquelle cotise un groupe de personnes issues le plus souvent du même quartier. Les montants épargnés sont confiés à tour de rôle à chacun des membres du groupe, permettant d’améliorer l’économie familiale ou de réaliser des projets spécifiques. Le remboursement des moyens financiers mis à disposition se fait selon les modalités accordés par le groupe. En focalisant ce mécanisme sur les besoins liés à l’habitat et au cadre de vie, le fonds rotatif permet depuis 2015 aux populations vulnérables de bénéficier de prêts pour la réhabilitation de leurs logements et de co-financer des aménagements urbains. Le fonds est géré par la Fédération Sénégalaise des Habitants (FSH), réunissant des groupements d’épargne communautaire qui portent des projets de sensibilisation, de communication et de formation sur le droit au logement et à l’amélioration du cadre de vie depuis 2014. Aujourd’hui, la FSH se déploie dans toute la banlieue de Dakar, dans les régions de Thiès (2019), Louga (2019), Ziguinchor (2022) et de Fatick (2024) et réunit près de 18 000 membres. Le fonds rotatif autonomise les municipalités et les habitants du Sénégal, favorise la collaboration et améliore l'accès au financement pour le développement local La commune de Djiddah Thiaroye Kao située dans la banlieue de Dakar est composée majoritairement de quartiers spontanés et abrite plus de 160 000 habitants. L’habitat y est principalement auto-construit de manière incrémentale, le plus souvent avec des matériaux de faible qualité et une absence d’encadrement de professionnels qualifiés. Étant l’une des plus densément peuplée du pays, la commune fait face à de nombreux défis sociaux, économiques et environnementaux. Le déficit d’infrastructures d’eau et d’assainissement conduit à des problèmes de santé, aggravés par de fortes inondations. Sensibilisation avec un groupe sénégalais, Bénédicte Hinschberger 2022 Dans le contexte d’inondations particulièrement dévastatrices de la fin des années 2000, les habitants s’organisent pour apporter des solutions aux problématiques liées à l’habitat et au cadre de vie. Cette dynamique, appuyée par des professionnels issus de l'aménagement, la mobilisation sociale et la planification urbaine, permet d’engager le processus de restructuration urbaine de la commune, et donne naissance à la Fédération Sénégalaise des Habitants en 2014. Dès le début, une attention particulière est portée à l’accès au financement pour réaliser des aménagements, ouvrages et activités de renforcement pour les membres de la Fédération. C’est ce qui amènera à la création du fonds rotatif. A la même période (2013), l’Etat sénégalais lance l’Acte III de la décentralisation, qui délègue aux communes la gestion, l’organisation et la planification de leurs territoires. Mais ce transfert de compétences ne s’accompagne pas des moyens nécessaires pour organiser techniquement et financièrement la structuration des services communaux. Déjà en grandes difficultés, les communes peinent à mettre en œuvre l’Acte III, et donc à offrir aux habitants des services et des infrastructures de qualité dont ils ont grandement besoin pour améliorer leur cadre de vie. Les ressources financières des communes proviennent principalement des fonds de l’Etat (fonds d’équipement des collectivités locales, et fonds de dotation) disponibles auprès du Trésor Public. Cependant, leur gestion est collective pour l’ensemble des communes, ce qui rend très inégale l'accès aux ressources et complique le processus de décaissement des sommes préalablement budgétisées par les communes. De fait, la réactivité et la capacité d'agir des communes pour répondre aux besoins des populations locales sont limitées. Les ressources communales sont également alimentées par différentes taxes, mais ceci reste de l’ordre du résiduel et ne permet pas d’assurer une bonne gestion organisationnelle interne de la commune avec un budget prévisionnel annuel structuré et le recrutement de ressources humaines sur le long terme. Ainsi, le développement du fonds rotatif s’inscrit dans le contexte général de précarité financière des communes sénégalaises et du difficile accès des populations vulnérables aux outils de financement traditionnels. Il démontre la pertinence d’outils de financement citoyen accessibles au plus grand nombre, pour pallier la difficulté à mobiliser des ressources publiques locales, résultat d’un cadre juridique et institutionnel inadapté aux besoins réels des autorités locales et de leurs habitants. Le fonds constitue ainsi un vecteur de collaboration entre les habitants et les communes à travers la mobilisation d'un apport financier des habitants aux projets locaux. Il contribue ainsi à légitimer leur place dans la définition et la mise en œuvre de projets d'aménagements et de quartiers. Le fonds rotatif au Sénégal permet la réhabilitation des logements et des infrastructures par la communauté, améliorant la collaboration locale et les projets de développement cofinancés Le mécanisme du fonds rotatif est adossé à un dispositif d’accompagnement technique qui garantit la qualité des travaux et sa bonne utilisation : des technicien.nes réalisent un diagnostic du logement/du quartier/des ouvrages à rénover et accompagnent le ménage dans le choix des artisans et le suivi des travaux à l’échelle de la parcelle et du quartier. En effet, le fonds permet de financer la réhabilitation de l’habitat, le développement d’activités génératrices de revenus (AGR) par les groupes d’habitant.es, et la co-conception et co-construction d’ouvrages semi-collectifs d’eau et d’assainissement (puisards partagés entre quelques familles, branchements AEP) et d’aménagements publics de plus grande ampleur (drains, regards, pavages drainants, bassins, tampons, espaces verts et d'infiltration des eaux de pluie, etc.) A l’échelle de la commune de DTK qui compte plus de 100 groupements membres de la FSH, soit environ 3 000 personnes fédérées, ce dispositif a permis la réhabilitation de 408 maisons et une cinquantaine de chantiers sont encore en cours auprès de différents bénéficiaires. De plus, à l’échelle du quartier, plusieurs ouvrages ont été réalisés dans une approche de co-conception entre les différentes parties prenantes (élus, points focaux de la commune, Office National de l’Assainissement (ONAS), techniciens, habitants). Au total - 3 arrêtoirs d’eau, 6 déversoirs raccordés au réseau existant, 445 mètres de canalisation, 6 regards circulaires, un caniveau superficiel muni d’un pavage drainant raccordé au système de drainage existant - ont été réalisés. Le total du budget des travaux de 35 605 962 CFA a été cofinancé par la commune (50 %), les habitants (5 %) et subventionné par le projet (45 %). Dans tout le Sénégal, ce sont plus de 1 000 maisons qui ont été réhabilitées, et près de 300 ouvrages communautaires. Le fonds rotatif autonomise les résidents, favorise le développement urbain participatif et inspire des initiatives similaires à travers l'Afrique de l'Ouest, renforçant la résilience et la collaboration Les ouvrages collectifs co-conçus et co-financés par les habitant.es traduisent concrètement dans l’espace public la portée du fonds rotatif en tant qu’outil de renforcement du pouvoir d’agir des habitant.es . Grâce à leur apport financier, ces dernier.es ne sont plus seulement bénéficiaires d’infrastructures réalisées par d’autres groupes d’acteurs, mais au cœur des processus de décision qui les définissent et les produisent. Les habitants participent au dialogue territorial qui permet de faire évoluer positivement et durablement la situation locale et les conditions de vie par un meilleur niveau d’équipement. De plus, la participation financière des habitant.es motive leur contribution à la bonne gestion et à la maintenance des ouvrages. Des modalités de gestion spécifiques sont ainsi définies pour chaque type d’ouvrage, impliquant les groupes d’habitants de la zone et visant à garantir leur pérennité. Bénéficiaire de la FSH Sénégal 2022 Crédit Equipe média urbaSEN Ces ouvrages mis en œuvre de manière participative sont le résultat d’une démarche intégrée - sociale, environnementale et financière - qui garantit leur réplicabilité à long terme. Celle-ci est accentuée par les activités de formation des artisans locaux qui sont mises en œuvre en lien avec les projets. Ces formations contribuent à une meilleure structuration du tissu économique local et à une amélioration de la qualité des ouvrages et des logements réalisés. Articulées à d’autres moyens de lutte contre les inondations (sensibilisation, messages d’information avant les pluies, réalisation d’ouvrages structurants de drainage par les acteurs publics), elles contribuent à augmenter effectivement la résilience des quartiers face au risque climatique. Récemment, cet outil de financement a inspiré d’autres fédérations d’habitants organisées dans la sous-région ouest-africaine. Des mécanismes similaires ont été développés au Burkina Faso (2021) et en Guinée Bissau (2023) et se déclinent selon les besoins et réalités locales. Actuellement, les représentants des fédérations de ces différents pays portent la volonté de se réunir en confédération sous-régionale avec leurs voisins afin de partager des savoirs, des outils et des méthodes innovantes de construction et de financement de la ville. Le fonds rotatif améliore les conditions de vie au Sénégal, en favorisant la finance communautaire et en favorisant la transparence entre les résidents et les autorités locales Par l’amélioration des conditions de vie d’environ 150 000 habitants du Sénégal, et 1 milliards de francs CFA de prêts accordés depuis 2015, le fonds rotatif a démontré sa pertinence en tant qu’outil financier pour l’amélioration du cadre de vie des populations défavorisées. Le portage “habitant” de l’outil et sa reconnaissance par les autorités locales assurent une appropriation forte et une démultiplication de son envergure grâce à la sensibilisation des habitants et la formation des communes dans l’élaboration de budgets participatifs pour appuyer ces dynamiques. L’ensemble de ces innovations renforcent la transparence et la confiance entre les acteurs publics locaux et les populations. Ainsi, le fonds rotatif s’inscrit comme un outil stratégique de plaidoyer pour la reconnaissance de la finance communautaire par les acteurs publics et les bailleurs internationaux et le renforcement de l’inclusion financière des populations. Previous Next

< Back Urban-Rural linkages at the center of urban policy agenda in Africa Grace GITHIRI, Inès Diurtionnel NGOUANOM, Antonio KIPYEGON Urban-rural linkages in Africa are a significant challenge, with rapid urbanization and rural-urban migration putting pressure on urban and peri-urban areas. UN-Habitat and partners implemented the "Leaving no space behind: strengthening urban-rural Linkages (URL) in Africa" project in four countries: Cameroon, Guinea, Nigeria (Niger State), and Tanzania (Zanzibar). The project aimed to enhance the capacities of policymakers and change agents at all levels to collect and use evidence for fostering cross-sectoral, multi-level frameworks, strategies, and action plans for integrated and inclusive territorial development. The project involved the development of context-specific normative toolkits, capacity-building sessions, technical dialogues, and advisory services to stakeholders. The project also provided an overall framework for the review of the National Urban Policy (NUP) for each country and in the data collection process at a local level. The project aimed to strengthen the synergies between urban and rural communities and spaces, promoting integrated territorial development and achieving global goals. Traditional approaches to planning and development viewed urban and rural areas as two separate entities creating a dichotomy between the two. In reality, the boundary between urban and rural areas is diffused, and the two are intertwined and connected in a functioning system of linkages that sustains the interactions between them. While urban growth might bring prosperity to many urban regions, the urban dividend is often not shared across the territory. In some countries, small and intermediary cities, which are a crucial link for integrated territorial development, find it difficult to define their roles in the contemporary economy; hence adversely suffering from uncontrolled growth, poverty, lower incomes, high youth unemployment rates, inward migration from rural areas and outmigration of mainly young and skilled. To address these urban-rural linkages challenges in the African context, UN-Habitat and partners implemented, the project “Leaving no space behind: strengthening urban-rural Linkages (URL) in Africa” in four countries: Cameroon, Guinea, Nigeria (Niger State), and Tanzania (Zanzibar) Funded by the United Nations Development Account this project supported the four countries to enhance their urban-rural linkages and bridge the urban-rural divide by enhancing the capacities of policymakers and change agents at all levels to collect and use evidence for fostering cross-sectoral, multi-level frameworks, strategies, and action plans for integrated and inclusive territorial development. Ensuring the entire project cycle was inclusive and participatory, UN-Habitat employed several delivery methods, including the development of context-specific normative toolkits and guides, national and subnational capacity-building sessions, technical dialogues as well as advisory services to a wide array of stakeholders, including government officials, academia, civil society and women and youth groups. The project implementation involved the creation of awareness along with capacity-building activities on the significance of strengthening URL. Through the awareness-raising activities, the countries were also able to define their priorities or key pressing issues towards functional and inclusive URL at the national and local levels. This was to provide an overall framework for the review of the National Urban Policy (NUP) for each country and in the data collection process at a local level respectively. In Africa, the urban-rural divide is a reality that participating countries must address. To be specific, rapid urbanization, due to rural-urban migration is placing enormous pressure on urban and peri-urban areas, including intermediary cities. Large cities and metropolitan areas are already experiencing urban sprawl and expanding their border to peri-urban areas, surrounding rural areas, and hinterlands. When expanding in such an unplanned manner, cities consume valuable (close by) agricultural land (in some cases) which could in turn affect food security and food systems in general. Similarly, fragile ecosystems are being transformed into urban land uses, impacting ecological resources such as waterways, fisheries, and forests. The 2017 report of the UN Economic Commission on Africa on “Urbanization and Industrialization for Africa’s Transformation” states that Africa's least urbanized countries are urbanizing fastest due to rural-urban migration, a phenomenon which still remains even as countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, unlike global trends, the urban-rural disparities in Africa do not seem to narrow with increasing urbanization. Low connectivity and insufficient infrastructure in rural areas widen these inequalities between urban and rural areas and since economic investment is often low, job opportunities remain few. The 2017 report of the UN Economic Commission on Africa states that “management of the rural-urban transition in a way that promotes equity is one of the major challenges facing policymakers in most African countries.” The situation in the project countries is no different, for example in Cameroon, rural-urban migration was defined as the main cause of urban sprawl. The reasons for migration as described above, specifically the search for better opportunities due to urban and rural disparities and inadequate infrastructural development. In Niger State, Nigeria, the inefficiencies of infrastructure, leading to a declining local economy, is one of the main contributors to poverty among rural populations. Connecting food producers to urban markets and enhancing the flows of goods, products, and information would improve the lives of the rural dwellers, and also promote urban food security. In Guinea Conakry, the poor connectivity of physical infrastructure, information transfer, and social connectivity cause a major development gap between rural and urban areas. The case in Zanzibar, Tanzania is no different; the poorest and least developed, low literacy levels and access to health care among other challenges being experienced, in rural areas. Faced with these challenges, the call to strengthen the synergies between urban and rural communities and spaces is pivotal towards integrated territorial development and achieving global goals. The project thus provided for the countries to define their priorities, gather data, review policy, and make recommendations for policy enhancements. UN-Habitat implemented the project using several delivery methods to ensure an inclusive, effective, and participatory approach. These include the development of innovative, contextspecific normative tools and guides, capacity development sessions as well as technical dialogues and advisory services. UN-Habitat coordinated activities at the regional level and offered normative tools for adoption in the country's contexts. The main activities in the field were over ten capacitybuilding workshops, data collection exercises at different locations, policy reviews, and recommendations for enhancing the policy frameworks in the lens of urbanrural linkages. One unique aspect of the project is that it integrated inputs from technical experts and local communities or stakeholders to inform the policy review and recommendation process. Approximately 2500 people were engaged during the implementation of this project. The project not only gathered inputs for policies but the stakeholders involved had their capacities strengthened which will be replicated to others and in their daily work on urban-rural linkages. Data collection was also collected using digital tools such as Kobocollect which made data collection, analysis, and presentation quicker and relatively more accurate. The digital tool was not only innovative but also minimized the use of paper contributing to environmental conservation. The capacity-building workshops and related activities were also hybrid; both physical and online especially during COVID-19 restrictions allowing for continuity of project activities. In Cameroon, the project began by bringing together a country team which was composed of over 20 people from different sectors. They defined three priority issues that would be key in addressing urban-rural disparities. They are: improving road and transportation infrastructure; telecommunications infrastructures; Partnerships and financial services. Along with the definition of priorities, UN-Habitat worked with stakeholders such as government officials, civil society, and academia, to develop a report on the general challenges and state of urban-rural linkages in Cameroon. Similarly over thirteen policies, laws, and strategies were reviewed on the nature and extent to which they had addressed urban-rural linkages. The other related activities were data collection and six workshops on awareness, capacity building, and validation of project outcomes. In Zanzibar, Tanzania, the multi-stakeholder country team defined three priorities for strengthened urbanrural linkages. The priorities were: food security, social services, and infrastructural services. A URL situational report comprising the challenges and opportunities was developed, with the contribution of all stakeholders. Over 20 policies and strategies were also reviewed guiding the recommendations thereof. Data collection of both secondary and primary sources was conducted in the selected sites, including farms, marketplaces, and from community groups. To further enhance inclusivity and participation from all the five regions of Zanzibar, up to five workshops in the five regions were conducted to raise awareness on URL, enhance the participant's capacity as well as validate the project outcomes, attended by over 100 diverse participants. In Niger State, Nigeria, the project was implemented under the umbrella of the Niger State Urban Support Programme, which consisted of urban-rural linkages, state urban policy, and integrated development planning. The strengthening urban-rural linkages component was then integrated as a chapter in the Niger State urban policy, which was approved by the State Executive Council in June 2021, A multi-stakeholder team formulated to coordinate the project identified priority issues as infrastructure and human security. Similar to Zanzibar, the Niger State team conducted policy reviews, defined the gaps, and provided fitting recommendations to enhance urban-rural linkages. A report was also prepared on the status of URL in Niger State with specific examples of ongoing projects and initiatives by other partners and governments on rural electrification, rural road upgrading, and market studies. Through the project, a total of three workshops were conducted, which included training on data collection and validation workshops various consultative meetings along with the NUP development process. Guinea Conakry started with a stakeholder’s awareness workshop conducted in Conakry bringing together relevant stakeholders together to understand and discuss the relevance of urban-rural linkages. They also developed the status report on URL in Guinea along with a review of over ten relevant policies. Data collection was also collected to understand the three priorities identified as infrastructure, environmental issues, and economic activities. Four workshops were held in Conakry on awareness, capacity building, and validation of project outcomes. The urban policy process kicked off after the project closed, and a specific section on urban-rural linkages will be integrated with the policy document. The aim of the project was mainly to build the capacities of the stakeholders in the project countries towards enhancing urban-rural linkages and integrated territorial development through policies, and strategies among other frameworks. The projects were anchored in the project countries along with the urban policy process apart from Cameroon where the policy was already completed. The project saw several milestones reached and significant progress made in enhancing urban-rural linkages. Some of the progress made and results achieved include: Multisectoral country teams (national, and local) responsible for promoting and ensuring the consideration of urban-rural links in policies and strategies were set up and equipped through capacity-building activities and related project activities. They will thus continue playing a major role in advancing the agenda as ambassadors of urban-rural linkages initiatives in their works. The capacities of more than 2500 stakeholders in the government, private sector, academia, and civil society have been strengthened on what urban-rural linkages entail and why it is important including how local initiatives contribute to the agenda. This was not only through the capacity-building activities and data collection process but also through the reports developed that will be disseminated in the relevant languages in each project country In all four project countries, urban-rural linkages will form part of the national or sub-national (Zanzibar and Niger state) agendas having been integrated into the urban policies. In Niger state, a chapter dedicated to policy actions for managing urban-rural linkages was adopted. Urban policies form a key reference document for legislation, planning, and related strategies or projects whose benefits would be incremental at different governance levels. Another impact is that another project commenced as a multiplier effect benefitting Niger state and Cameroon with the main focus on food and transportation between urban and rural areas in the context of pandemics. This is through the University of Nairobi and partners, showing the emerging interest of academia to advance the topic of urban-rural linkages. The Project achieved its main objective is to advance the knowledge and capacities of urban-rural linkages in the context of African countries. The approach employed in the implementation of this project involved both experts and local stakeholders to collect evidence for policy enhancement. To engage these diverse stakeholders, context-specific normative tools were developed, core country teams trained, and the tools implemented. Through the various tools being piloted and adapted accordingly, the country reports were developed and shared with all stakeholders on the status of urban-rural linkages. The policies were then reviewed through the lenses of the emerging issues in the reports and recommendations developed. To contextualize and understand the situation further, study sites were identified, and data were collected in a defined functional area. The data collected provided an in-depth understanding of the nature, challenges, and opportunities of urban-rural linkages in specific contexts. The main results were a piloted toolkit that can be replicated in other country contexts, urban-rural linkages policy recommendations, and improved capacities of the stakeholders involved on ways of advancing the agenda post-project period. One of the lessons learned from this project which will be beneficial in future related projects or initiatives is the complex and broad yet context-specific nature of urbanrural linkages. The policy actions in each country are expected to lead to urban and rural food security, better connectivity and inclusive flows of commodities, people, services, and information, management of urban-rural migration, protection of the environment, and managed urban sprawl among other long-term benefits, for integrated and sustainable territorial development. Previous Next

< Back Abuja Urban Lab: collective action as a catalyst for transforming waste governance Vanessa Vovor The Abuja Urban Lab, launched in December 2023 by the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), is an innovative initiative aimed at transforming waste management governance in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), this CoM SSA project focuses on creating a sustainable and climate-responsive waste governance framework to address the environmental impacts of rapid urbanization and population growth. By engaging a diverse range of stakeholders—including local government bodies, academia, the private sector, civil society, youth groups, and traditional leaders—the Urban Lab facilitates collaborative solutions that incorporate local knowledge and innovative practices. This article explores the objectives, approach, and anticipated impact of the Abuja Urban Lab, highlighting its potential to serve as a model for other African cities facing similar challenges. Abuja’s rapid urbanization has led to waste management challenges, prompting collaborative solutions for urban resilience Solid waste disposal point, eAbor Photography for CoM SSA Abuja, as Nigeria’s first planned city and capital since 1991, has experienced rapid urbanization, leading to significant challenges in waste management, such as environmental degradation, illegal dumping and burning of waste, which exacerbate climate-related hazards such as flooding and pollution. The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), responsible for managing waste within its jurisdiction, struggles with inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and overlapping governance mandates with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB). To address these challenges, AMAC, with the support of the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), developed and launched its Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP) in 2022. The action plan sets ambitious targets for climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as access to sustainable energy, with a key focus on improving waste management as a critical component of enhancing urban resilience. A rapid assessment conducted in early 2023 by the African Centre for Cities, in collaboration with CoM SSA, identified critical waste management issues in Abuja, including inefficient landfill management, lack of waste flow specialization, and governance challenges. Recognizing the need for a coordinated and inclusive approach, AMAC selected the topic of waste governance as the Urban Lab’s central theme in April 2023 with inputs from a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from AMAC, AEPB, Nile University, Baze University, and other academic institutions in Abuja. The Abuja Urban Lab was subsequently established to foster collaboration among an even wider range of stakeholders to co-create innovative solutions for waste management that align with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The Abuja Urban Lab employs a participatory, inclusive approach, engaging diverse stakeholders to co-create sustainable waste management solutions AMAC SEACAP Launch July 2022 Abuja CoM SSA The Abuja Urban Lab employs a deeply participatory and inclusive approach to tackle waste management challenges by convening stakeholders across various sectors. With Nile University of Nigeria serving as an anchor of the process, consultations with the public sector are held with not only the Abuja Municipal Area Council and Abuja Environmental Protection Board, but also with key subnational representatives and bodies of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) such as the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, the Minister Senior Special Assistant on Environment and Waste Management, the Satellite Towns Development Agency, the Permanent Secretary on Health and Environment and the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council. Moreover, civil society organizations, such as the Association of Women Town Planners of Nigeria, play a crucial role in ensuring gender-sensitive planning and inclusivity. Youth groups, particularly those affiliated with local universities, contribute innovative ideas and fresh perspectives, while the private sector, represented by recycling companies, waste collectors and other environmental service providers, provides key insights integral to developing a circular economy in Abuja. The informal sector, including waste pickers and small-scale recyclers, is actively engaged to ensure their critical role in the waste management ecosystem is recognized and integrated into formal processes. Additionally, traditional rulers and community leaders are involved to raise awareness among local communities and incorporate cultural practices into waste management solutions. This comprehensive and inclusive model fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration, ensures cultural relevance, and integrates local knowledge into waste governance solutions. A significant milestone of the Urban Lab was the city-to-city exchange in May 2024, which facilitated a visit to Lagos for a group of Abuja Urban Lab stakeholders to learn from Lagos’s advanced waste management strategies. This exchange provided valuable insights into policy reforms, public-private partnerships, and inclusive governance models that can be adapted for Abuja. The Urban Lab continues to focus on strengthening stakeholder engagement, conducting in-depth policy reviews, and addressing governance challenges to develop practical and sustainable waste management strategies tailored to Abuja’s needs. The Abuja Urban Lab aims to transform the city’s waste management, enhancing environmental health, economic growth, and social inclusion The Abuja Urban Lab is anticipated to have a transformative impact on the city’s waste management system, contributing to environmental health, economic development, and social inclusion. By supporting the development of a more cohesive and inclusive waste governance structure, the Urban Lab aims to create an enabling environment for future sustainable infrastructure projects, such as waste valorization facilities. Through its inclusive stakeholder consultation process, the Lab is working to create strong policy recommendations aligned with international environmental standards. These efforts are expected to support the adoption of sustainable waste management practices across the city, contributing to Abuja’s long-term urban planning and development strategies. The CoM SSA Urban Lab’s emphasis on improving governance structures and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders—including government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and the informal sector—lays the foundation for future investments and innovations in waste management. The Lab’s emphasis on social inclusion ensures that all voices are heard, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among participants. This coordinated approach is expected to support AMAC in achieving its SEACAP targets, including a 20% reduction in waste-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The Abuja Urban Lab’s impact extends beyond environmental benefits, contributing to the overall resilience of Abuja’s urban environment and serving as a model for other African cities facing similar challenges. The Abuja Urban Lab provides a replicable model for sustainable waste management and climate resilience through stakeholder collaboration and long-term environmental goals The Abuja Urban Lab represents a significant advancement in addressing the intertwined challenges of waste management and climate resilience in Nigeria’s capital. Through its participatory approach and collaborative solutions, the CoM SSA Urban Lab is creating a blueprint for sustainable urban development that can be replicated in other African cities. The ongoing collaboration among stakeholders, including government bodies, academia, civil society, the private sector, and traditional leaders, ensures that the project not only meets its immediate goals but also contributes to long-term environmental sustainability and social equity in Abuja. After facilitating its Urban Lab approach in the capital, the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa would remain a partner of choice for the city in the preparation of urban infrastructure projects to further enhance waste management efficiency. President of Women Town Planners Association of Nigeria and AMAC Head of Environement Abuja June 2024 CoM SSA Previous Next

< Back African Cities Lab Summit 2023 Workshop May 23, 2024 Marrakech, Morocco Deployment of digital technologies in African cities: emerging issues and policy recommendations for local governments The African Cities Lab Summit 2023 was co-organized by the African Cities Lab, the Center of Urban Systems at Mohammed 6 Polytechnic University in Morocco, and Sèmè City in Cotonou in May 2023. This initiative aimed to create a truly collective, international, and intergenerational platform, connected and open to the world, where all stakeholders in urban development could reflect on digital and smart cities as new models for African cities. The discussions addressed topics such as data governance, data-driven urban planning, and the impact of datafication on citizens’ quality of life. Within Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Ben-Guerir, AIN conducted a workshop on the challenges of governance in African cities in the digital age. The objective was to explore the implications of the digital transition of African cities and to formulate recommendations for local governments. The discussions highlighted mechanisms to mitigate the negative effects of emerging technologies. Three main challenges were identified: the digital divide, risks related to personal data, and algorithmic biases, thus emphasizing the inequalities and concerns related to citizen protection in this context. The African Cities Lab Summit 2023 provided an innovative platform exploring the crucial role of data in urban development in Africa. By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, this summit contributed to defining innovative strategies to harness the potential of data and catalyze positive transformation in African cities. Following this event, a scientific article titled «Digital Revolution in African Cities: Exploring Governance Mechanisms to Mitigate Societal Impacts» was written and published. Read the full paper here Previous Next

On November 9, 2023, the prestigious K Hotel in Douala was the vibrant scene of the fourth edition of the captivating World Cities Day Talk. < Back World Cities Day Talk edition 4 On November 9, 2023, the prestigious K Hotel in Douala was the vibrant scene of the fourth edition of the captivating World Cities Day Talk. On November 9, 2023, the K Hotel in Douala hosted the fourth edition of the World Cities Day Talk . This annual event, organized by the Africa Innovation Network (AIN) in collaboration with architecture firms NANDHAA, Focus Group and FAH'SI Group , brilliantly explored the theme of urban resilience in Cameroon, attracting nearly 50 participants to an enriching evening at the K'Hotel in Douala. It was also the ritual opportunity to unveil the new issue of the African Cities Magazine by the AIN. This vibrant magazine highlights the multiple facets of African cities, celebrating innovations and best practices in architecture, urban planning, design and urban art (download edition 4 of the magazine at: https://www.africinno.com/africancitiesmagazine?lang=fr ). The evening began with a warm welcome from the organizers, followed by a captivating recap of past editions of the World City Day Talk, providing fascinating historical insight. AIN then opened the discussions by presenting both an interactive Quiz and a video which provided an understanding of the current context of urban resilience in Cameroon, thus laying the foundations for future discussions. The interventions were dynamic and fascinating. Dr. Magloire Olinga brilliantly moderated a discussion on the key actors involved in urban resilience in Cameroon. In his speech, he presented the role and responsibilities of each actor. He insisted on the blocking points to be corrected to allow concerted intervention by each actor. The rest of his speech strongly engaged the audience who did not fail to provide contributions and questions to better understand the subject raised. The following topics brilliantly explored the challenges to achieving this resilience, while Horcel Sokeng shared key perspectives on the action levers essential to this urban resilience, including the subject of concerted urban governance for good coordination and consistency in actions that contribute to the development of cities; and also citizen participation through civic and informed acts to avoid exposing oneself to any risk in order to understand urban resilience. The practical discussions on the acquisition and security of real estate in Cameroon, led by Wisdom International, allowed participants to better understand the regulatory and security process of acquiring real estate in Cameroon; this through the presentation of each step and the key players that each person wishing to settle in a place should consult. Dongmo Justice's dynamic presentation on the importance of research and innovation in building resilient cities highlighted the crucial impact of these elements in urban transformation. An energetic conclusion closed the evening, followed by a photo and networking session, allowing participants to exchange and nourish the ideas shared. The appointment has already been made for next year for a new edition of this annual meeting which promises to be just as exciting. Previous Next

< Back Un parcours de recherche création pour repenser les espaces publics : Récit d’un pilote à Douala au Cameroun Le parcours de recherche-création sur l’analyse et le design des espaces publics en Afrique s’inscrit dans une volonté de repenser des modèles d’aménagement endogènes et inclusifs, ancrés dans les réalités locales. Organisé sur neuf semaines en format hybride par Africa Innovation Network, le Campus AFD, et la ville de Douala il combine activités asynchrones, ateliers en ligne, et ateliers en présentiel. Sa démarche repose sur trois piliers : s’inspirer des imaginaires pour réinventer les espaces publics, apprendre et créer à travers l’expérimentation collective, et enfin diffuser et influer par la production de rapports, d’articles, de capsules et d’événements publics. Les participants, issus de profils interdisciplinaires ont été sélectionnés pour représenter la diversité des usagers et enrichir la co-construction des savoirs. Les résultats soulignent la nécessité de penser les espaces publics comme des communs urbains avec des règles partagées, de former les praticiens à un urbanisme sensible, et de concevoir des carrefours fluides conciliant commerce, mobilité multimodale et sécurité. Ce parcours propose ainsi un cadre méthodologique inédit et un plaidoyer pour des espaces publics plus inclusifs, créatifs et adaptés aux pratiques locales. Pourquoi les espaces publics ? Le point de départ de ce parcours repose sur un constat majeur : les modèles urbains dominants sont souvent inadaptés aux réalités des habitants, qui réinterprètent et réutilisent les espaces publics selon leurs besoins. Friches urbaines, trottoirs, rues ou places deviennent ainsi des lieux de vie sociale, culturelle et économique. Dans les villes africaines, l’espace public se révèle être un véritable lieu de confluence où se rencontrent, s’entrechoquent et se recomposent pratiques sociales, imaginaires culturels et dynamiques économiques. Occupation de la rue pour des activités ludiques lors de la Semaine de la mobilité 2025 à Douala. Photo : Leandry Jieutsa. Il ne s’agit donc pas seulement d’infrastructures urbaines, mais de terrains d’expérimentation, de laboratoires vivants où émergent des formes inédites d’occupation et de production de l’espace. Ces espaces incarnent un paradoxe : d’un côté, des formes urbaines importées, issues d’un urbanisme dit « moderne » et standardisé ; de l’autre, des usages locaux qui, bien que souvent qualifiés « d’informels », traduisent en réalité des aspirations endogènes profondément ancrées. Les rues, en particulier, deviennent des lieux centraux de vie, d’échange et même de participation démocratique. Cette inadéquation entre formes, fonctions et usages s’explique par de multiples facteurs : les ruptures historiques liées à l’esclavage et à la colonisation, la standardisation des modèles urbains, le déficit de compétences locales, la faible théorisation de l’espace public, des problèmes de gouvernance, ou encore la coexistence d’imaginaires multiples et parfois déconnectés des réalités. Or, face à une urbanisation rapide dont les bénéfices économiques tardent à se concrétiser, les villes africaines doivent définir leur propre identité. Repenser les modèles de développement urbain devient une nécessité, afin de permettre aux villes du continent d’affirmer leur souveraineté culturelle et économique dans un contexte de mutations accélérées et de défis globaux tels que le changement climatique. C’est dans cette perspective qu’a émergé ce parcours: une démarche exploratoire qui mobilise la recherche-création, alliant analyse scientifique, expérimentations et participation citoyenne. L’objectif est de dépasser la vision strictement fonctionnelle de l’espace public pour l’aborder comme un lieu de récits et de projections collectives, où les imaginaires urbains trouvent à s’exprimer. En mettant en lumière les pratiques d’appropriation (qu’il s’agisse des marchés dits informels, des rues investies par les jeunes ou des places publiques transformées en espaces de débat) ce parcours entend impulser de nouvelles manières d’analyser et de construire la ville. Un parcours pour inspirer de nouvelles pratiques de fabrique urbaine Ce parcours de recherche-création propose une immersion dans la compréhension et la réinvention des espaces publics à travers une approche pluridisciplinaire et collaborative. Il vise à analyser leur rôle central dans les dynamiques urbaines du continent, en intégrant les dimensions historiques, sociales, économiques et environnementales. L’initiative invite à comprendre l’importance des espaces publics, à construire une analyse pluridimensionnelle autour de l’inclusion sociale, de la mobilité, de l’économie urbaine, de l’adaptation climatique et du design urbain, et à réimaginer ces espaces à partir d’approches endogènes. L’usage des nouvelles technologies, notamment de l’intelligence artificielle, y est exploré comme levier pour une conception et une gestion plus innovantes et inclusives. Le parcours s’articule autour de quatre piliers : s’inspirer, apprendre et créer, diffuser et influer. S’inspirer consiste à mobiliser les imaginaires collectifs, symboliques et mémoriels pour réinventer des modèles africains d’aménagement et d’harmonisation des usages. Apprendre et créer s’incarne dans un programme de deux mois mêlant activités asynchrones, ateliers en ligne et sessions en présentiel autour d’études de cas concrets, permettant aux participants de documenter les usages et de tester des outils adaptés. Diffuser et influer vise à inscrire les résultats dans le débat public et institutionnel à travers des ressources multimédias, un numéro spécial d’African Cities Magazine, un événement de lancement et la participation à des forums et cafés urbains, afin de renforcer l’impact de la démarche à différentes échelles. Travail d’équipe lors du premier atelier en présentiel du programme d’analyse et de conception des espaces publics à Douala. Porté conjointement par Africa Innovation Network, le Campus AFD, le programme repose sur une équipe pédagogique engagée dans la production et la valorisation de savoirs endogènes pour éclairer les politiques publiques d’aménagement. Les animateurs, spécialistes des dynamiques urbaines africaines, sociologues et experts des espaces publics, ont conçu et animé une série de cours et d’activités favorisant la transmission de connaissances et le partage d’expériences entre les participants. Grâce à une approche interdisciplinaire, le parcours a réuni des participants issus d’horizons variés : urbanistes, architectes, ingénieurs, sociologues, artistes, communicants, activistes et spécialistes de la gouvernance. Cette diversité a permis d’enrichir la réflexion collective, de croiser les savoirs et d’esquisser des visions innovantes pour repenser les espaces publics. À travers la co-construction d’idées et d’outils, les participants ont produit des propositions concrètes capables d’alimenter les politiques publiques et d’inspirer de nouvelles pratiques de fabrique urbaine sur le continent. Neuf semaines de partage D’une durée de neuf semaines, ce parcours adopte un format hybride combinant apprentissage autonome, ateliers collaboratifs en ligne et sessions pratiques sur le terrain. Les activités asynchrones offrent aux participants la possibilité d’explorer, à leur rythme, des ressources variées telles que vidéos, textes, podcasts, quiz et exercices, formant un socle théorique essentiel à la réflexion collective. Les ateliers en ligne favorisent les échanges et la co-construction de grilles de lecture endogènes, tandis que les ateliers en présentiel permettent d’expérimenter ces approches dans des contextes réels et de formuler des visions partagées pour l’avenir des espaces publics. Cette articulation entre théorie, interaction et pratique encourage un apprentissage continu et collaboratif, garantissant une compréhension fine et contextualisée des enjeux urbains. Séance d’échange et d’apprentissage mutuel entre les participants lors du premier atelier en présentiel à Douala. Le parcours repose sur un écosystème d’outils numériques et collaboratifs qui facilitent la participation et le partage de connaissances. La plateforme MOOC du Campus AFD héberge les cours, lectures et quiz, constituant la base des apprentissages individuels. Miro sert de tableau blanc interactif pour structurer les analyses collectives, tandis que Padlet permet de partager les productions et d’échanger sur les travaux des pairs. Zoom soutient les ateliers en ligne et les discussions en direct, et une communauté WhatsApp renforce la dynamique du groupe par des échanges informels et un suivi régulier entre les participants et l’équipe pédagogique. Les contenus hebdomadaires sont organisés en séquences progressives. Les premières semaines posent les fondations théoriques en explorant les définitions, dimensions et imaginaires liés à l’espace public, tout en invitant les participants à mobiliser leurs propres expériences pour construire une lecture endogène des usages et des enjeux. Les semaines suivantes sont consacrées à l’expérimentation d’outils d’analyse et d’action (observation, cartographie participative, méthodes narratives et sensibles) adaptés aux réalités locales. Enfin, les dernières semaines ouvrent la réflexion sur les approches et innovations en matière d’aménagement, de gouvernance et de co-construction des espaces publics, en s’appuyant sur des études de cas inspirantes à travers le continent et sur la notion des communs comme levier d’inclusion, de solidarité et de justice spatiale. Ainsi, le parcours propose un véritable laboratoire d’apprentissage collectif où les savoirs locaux rencontrent des méthodologies contemporaines pour repenser les espaces publics à la lumière des défis actuels et des imaginaires partagés. Trois ateliers collaboratifs en ligne Le parcours s’est structuré autour de trois ateliers collaboratifs en ligne, moments clés d’échanges, de co-construction et de mise en perspective collective. Le premier atelier, organisé lors de la semaine inaugurale, a posé les bases du programme autour d’une réflexion participative sur la question « Qu’est-ce que l’espace public en Afrique ? ». À travers des discussions en sous-groupes et des exercices de brainwriting, les participants ont partagé leurs perceptions, élaboré une compréhension commune et pris conscience de l’importance de reconsidérer les espaces publics comme leviers de transformation urbaine. Cet atelier a également permis de créer une dynamique de groupe et d’instaurer un engagement collectif dès le lancement du parcours. Le deuxième atelier, tenu à mi-parcours, a préparé l’analyse de terrain en invitant les participants à construire une grille de lecture endogène pour observer et comprendre les espaces publics. En s’appuyant sur l’intervention de Julieta Leite, spécialiste des approches sensibles et spatiales, les échanges ont permis d’articuler les dimensions sociales, environnementales, économiques et de mobilité dans une perspective africaine. Les participants ont travaillé en sous-groupes thématiques pour identifier les outils les plus pertinents, débattre de leurs usages et élaborer une première grille d’analyse commune, véritable socle méthodologique pour la suite du parcours. Le troisième atelier, en semaine 8, a marqué une transition vers l’action et la prospective. À partir des diagnostics précédemment établis et d’exemples inspirants présentés par Clémentine LARATTE (GRET), les participants ont imaginé des récits projetés en 2035 autour de personas symbolisant différents usagers (commerçante, moto-taximan, écolier, personne à mobilité réduite, etc). Ces récits ont permis d’esquisser des futurs souhaitables où formes, usages et fonctions des espaces publics s’articulent harmonieusement. L’atelier s’est conclu par une mise en perspective collective des visions produites, mettant en évidence les convergences, les tensions et les acteurs clés à mobiliser. Il a ouvert la voie à la co-construction d’une vision intégrée pour la transformation du carrefour Bassong et, plus largement, des espaces publics. Deux Ateliers d’expérimentation en présentiel Le parcours s’est enrichi de deux ateliers d’expérimentation en présentiel, organisés à Douala, choisie comme ville laboratoire pour explorer les liens entre inclusion, mobilité, environnement et économie urbaine. Le carrefour Bassong, situé dans le 5 e arrondissement, a servi de terrain d’étude emblématique : un espace dense, traversé par de multiples flux et révélateur des défis de la métropole en matière de cohésion sociale et de planification urbaine. Ces ateliers ont permis de confronter les savoirs théoriques aux réalités du terrain et d’expérimenter des outils collaboratifs favorisant une approche sensible et partagée de la fabrique urbaine. Entretien de terrain avec un vendeur ambulant mené par les participants lors de l’activité d’observation sur le terrain à Douala. Le premier atelier en présentiel, intitulé Lire et comprendre l’espace, a constitué un moment décisif du parcours. Sur deux jours, il a permis d’expérimenter différentes méthodes (design thinking, cartographie participative, facilitation graphique, méthode ATL-9, usage d’images aériennes et outils numériques) pour articuler savoirs experts et vécus citoyens. La première journée a été consacrée à l’immersion sur le terrain du carrefour Bassong : observations directes, enquêtes, micro-trottoirs et cercles de narration ont permis de révéler la diversité des pratiques et des perceptions. La seconde journée a favorisé la mise en commun des résultats et la formulation de propositions concrètes d’amélioration à travers croquis, collages et récits fictifs. De cet atelier, quatre enseignements majeurs se dégagent : la richesse des profils a amplifié la qualité de la lecture collective ; les récits d’usagers ont révélé des dimensions invisibles aux méthodes classiques ; l’immersion sensible a permis une compréhension fine et incarnée des enjeux ; et l’inclusion des usagers marginalisés s’est imposée comme condition essentielle à la durabilité des propositions. Séance d’examen et de retour d’information sur le travail de groupe dirigée par M. Ebongue Ngoh Jean Daniel, directeur de l’urbanisme, du développement et de la mobilité au conseil municipal de Douala. Le deuxième atelier en présentiel, organisé en clôture du parcours, a prolongé cette dynamique en orientant les participants vers la co-création de scénarios prospectifs pour transformer les espaces publics. À l’aide d’une fresque analytique, de la méthode des persona et du design thinking, les participants ont élaboré des visions situées à partir de cinq figures d’usagers : Muna l’écolière, Aminata la commerçante, Sophie l’usagère, Rigo le mototaximan et Albert la personne handicapée. Ces récits ont permis d’aborder les dimensions croisées de gouvernance, d’inclusion, d’aménagement et d’économie urbaine. Le deuxième jour, accompagné par des experts tels que Guy Tchakam, Danièle Diwouta et Bruno Proth, a conduit à la structuration des scénarios et à la formulation de recommandations concrètes présentées lors d’une restitution finale. Les travaux ont souligné la nécessité d’une approche collaborative et inclusive de la conception urbaine, où institutions, experts et citoyens partagent la responsabilité des espaces publics. Faire des espaces publics des communs urbains Le parcours a permis de produire une analyse approfondie et transversale du carrefour Bassong, à Douala, en mobilisant des approches sensibles, participatives et interdisciplinaires. Les résultats, issus d’observations, d’ateliers de co-analyse et de propositions d’aménagement, traduisent une compréhension renouvelée des espaces publics comme lieux d’inclusion, de mobilité, d’économie, d’environnement, de gouvernance et d’innovation sociale. Illustration résumant les enjeux clés de Bassong Junction, site pilote du programme, réalisée collectivement par les participants, les animateurs et les résidents locaux afin de mettre en lumière les dynamiques spatiales et sociales en jeu. En matière d’inclusion urbaine, les observations et micro-trottoirs ont révélé une organisation fortement marquée par le genre : les femmes dominent les activités de restauration et de commerce de détail, tandis que les hommes se concentrent dans la mécanique et les motos-taxis. La présence d’enfants vendeurs ambulants souligne la dimension socio-économique informelle du site, alors que l’absence quasi totale de personnes handicapées pointe une exclusion structurelle. Les cercles de narration ont mis en lumière la vulnérabilité accrue des femmes en situation de handicap et les obstacles physiques à leur participation à la vie urbaine. En réponse, les participants ont proposé un parcours piéton sécurisé avec signalétique inclusive et espaces de repos, accompagné d’un récit d’usager illustratif pour sensibiliser à la diversité des besoins. Sur le plan de la mobilité urbaine, les analyses ont mis en évidence la prédominance des motos-taxis, véritables acteurs du quotidien, mais aussi la complexité des flux piétons et des conflits d’usage. Le carrefour apparaît comme un espace à la fois vivant et désordonné, où l’ingéniosité des usagers pallie l’absence de planification formelle. Les propositions formulées prévoient la création d’aires dédiées aux motos-taxis, la sécurisation des traversées et la requalification des trottoirs pour garantir une meilleure cohabitation entre modes de déplacement et usagers. L’approche environnementale a révélé de fortes nuisances visuelles et sonores, des dépôts sauvages de déchets et un manque de végétation, malgré une qualité de l’air globalement acceptable. Ces constats ont conduit à la proposition d’un plan de requalification environnementale intégrant une meilleure gestion des déchets, le renforcement de la couverture végétale et des dispositifs de réduction du bruit. Ces recommandations ont été illustrées à travers des cartes annotées et des bandes dessinées sensibles, rendant compte du vécu environnemental du site. Concernant l’économie urbaine, les analyses montrent que le carrefour Bassong fonctionne comme un écosystème dynamique d’activités formelles et informelles. Loin d’un désordre, cette effervescence économique témoigne d’une véritable intelligence spatiale endogène. Les participants ont proposé un modèle d’aménagement modulaire pour le commerce informel, articulant zones partagées et plan d’organisation spatiale, afin de valoriser l’économie populaire comme moteur de régulation et de développement local. En termes d’outils et de méthodes, le parcours a mis en évidence la nécessité de dépasser les instruments classiques d’analyse pour privilégier des approches adaptatives et inclusives. Les participants ont expérimenté la fresque analytique, la méthode des persona et le design thinking, favorisant la co-analyse et la co-création. Comme le souligne Danièle Diwouta, « tout est dans la méthode » : concilier formes, usages et temporalités est essentiel à une fabrique urbaine sensible et durable. Sur le plan de la gouvernance, les discussions ont révélé la complexité des rapports entre institutions, usagers et opérateurs économiques. Les participants ont formulé la proposition d’une charte de fonctionnement partagée, définissant des règles claires de salubrité, d’hygiène et d’occupation commerciale. Illustration visionnaire du futur de Bassong Junction, co-créée par les participants et les acteurs locaux, dépeignant un espace urbain attrayant et inclusif combinant des formes flexibles et des fonctions mixtes. L’objectif est de renforcer la coopération et la coresponsabilité, en concevant les espaces publics comme de véritables communs urbains, gérés collectivement. En matière d’acteurs et de rôles, les échanges ont souligné la nécessité d’une implication coordonnée entre bailleurs, ministères, collectivités et citoyens. Les participants recommandent de revoir les termes de référence des projets urbains pour y intégrer systématiquement des démarches participatives et de co-design. Le ministère de l’Urbanisme est invité à considérer les carrefours comme des plans de secteur d’urbanisme intégrant les dimensions sociales, culturelles et économiques. Les écoles d’architecture et d’urbanisme sont encouragées à inclure ces approches dans leurs formations afin de préparer une nouvelle génération de praticiens sensibles aux contextes locaux. Enfin, les propositions d’aménagement insistent sur la hiérarchisation du carrefour Bassong dans la typologie urbaine de Douala. Les participants envisagent les carrefours comme des espaces hybrides, fluides et évolutifs, conciliant commerce, circulation multimodale, accessibilité universelle et convivialité. Cette approche flexible permet d’imaginer des espaces publics inclusifs et vivants, capables de s’adapter aux temporalités locales et de renforcer la vitalité économique et sociale des quartiers. En somme, le parcours a permis d’élaborer un ensemble cohérent de diagnostics, de visions et de propositions, ancrées dans le terrain et portées par la diversité des participants. Ces résultats constituent une base solide pour repenser les espaces publics comme des lieux de cohésion, d’équité et d’innovation urbaine. Ce programme de recherche-création a mis en lumière plusieurs leçons clés Photo de groupe prise après la cérémonie de remise des certificats marquant la fin du programme d’analyse et de conception des espaces publics à Douala. Ce parcours de recherche-création a permis de mettre en lumière plusieurs enseignements clés : la nécessité de considérer les espaces publics comme des communs urbains, la pertinence d’impliquer tous les acteurs, habitants, autorités locales, experts, bailleurs, dans un processus de co-analyse et de co-design, ainsi que l’importance de concevoir les carrefours et espaces publics comme des formes fluides et inclusives, capables de concilier mobilité, économie, environnement et vie sociale. Au-delà des résultats immédiats, ce parcours confirme l’importance de développer des méthodologies innovantes et sensibles, ancrées dans les réalités locales, mais transférables à d’autres villes africaines. Il démontre que la transformation des espaces publics ne peut être pensée uniquement comme une question d’infrastructures, mais comme un levier de cohésion sociale, de vitalité économique et de durabilité urbaine. Ce travail collectif invite désormais à renforcer cette dynamique collaborative et créative, en donnant une place centrale aux usagers et en consolidant les alliances entre institutions, praticiens et communautés. C’est à cette condition que les villes africaines pourront inventer des espaces publics véritablement adaptés à leurs besoins et aspirations, porteurs d’inclusion et de souveraineté urbaine. La version complète du magazine est accessible ici Télécharger l’article complet ain-article-african_cities_magazine_6_francais-20260118 .pdf Download PDF • 6.59MB Previous Next

< Back African Cities Magazine 2 October 31, 2021 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. Special feature: Education in architecture, planning and design in Africa: challenges and vision for more sustainable and resilient African cities A series of interviews with academics, researchers and heads of urban studies teaching institutions to understand the challenges and draw a common vision of how to teach architecture and urban planning to build more sustainable cities in Africa. Interview with Professor Jérôme Chenal Academic Director Excellence in Africa (EXAF - EPFL) I n this interview conducted by Patrick Emmanuel Somy ij Abidjan in Ivory Coast , the themes mentioned are the challenges of African cities, the role of education in urban studies for more sustainable cities in Africa, the models of the urban planners of tomorrow, the vision of the African city of tomorrow, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFGQU3-z1Bk Portrait of Hayate Ndiaye, president of the national order of architects of Chad The sustainable city is above all a city thought locally by the inhabitants... English version Version française Previous Next

< Back World cities day talk 2024 Conference November 9, 2023 Cameroon Rethinking urban development through transport and inclusive mobility The World Cities Day Talk (WCDT) is an annual event co-organized with the Nandhaa firm to celebrate World Cities Day. This event aims to provide a forum for discussion on the issues facing African cities and to raise awareness of urban development challenges in Africa. It also seeks to reflect on innovative solutions that can address the identified challenges. Thus, gathered around a key theme of sustainable urbanism in Africa, city stakeholders and professionals share their knowledge and experiences. The WCDT2023 was held on November 9, 2023, at the K Hotel in Douala, Cameroon, focusing on the theme of urban resilience. This edition took place in a context marked by the resurgence of disasters in Cameroonian cities (landslides, floods, etc.). The discussions aimed primarily to highlight the various stakeholders involved in building more resilient cities in Cameroon, the challenges they face, and the available action levers to overcome these challenges. Nearly 50 participants were engaged by the insights shared by distinguished professionals. Subsequently, the debate shifted to more cross-cutting topics contributing to urban resilience, such as land management and technological innovation. Online and/or in-person, the WCDT brings together numerous city stakeholders every year to discuss inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities in Africa. Moreover, this event is also dedicated to the launch of the African Cities Magazine. Previous Next

Africa Innovation Network is a think tank developing new approaches for more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities in Africa. We bring together experts in diverse and varied fields to offer sustainable and innovative solutions for a better urban future in Africa. Acerca de Who we are Africa Innovation Network brings together experts in diverse and varied fields to offer sustainable and innovative solutions for a better urban future in Africa. We are a think tank developing new approaches for more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities in Africa. We develop initiatives, projects, programs, and materials to support cities to move forward to more sustainable human settlements. Our approach is human-centered and based on frugal innovations. We are developing simple, participative ideas and solutions to make our cities and our rural areas a better place for all. Our work is based on creativity and innovation to propose solutions that help to build a better future in our cities for all. Initiatives of Africa Innovation Network are made to analyze, understand and develop solutions in order to promote sustainable development in our cities. What we offer INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN PROJECTS Through our network of experts and specialists in urban planning, architecture, engineering, transport and mobility, geographic information systems, design, etc. we accompany cities and territories in the creation of more inclusive and sustainable living environments through sustainable planning tools, coaching, capacity building, urban development strategies, marketing tools, strategic plans, etc. COUNTRY/REGION/CITIES MAGAZINES The country magazine uses the same ideology and structure of African Cities Magazine but on the scale of a country, a specific city, or any scale of territory. The aim is to work with local actors to draw up a picture of the dynamics of architecture, urban planning, design, art, architectural and urban heritage. DOCUMENTARY SERIES We produce documentary series on the scale of countries, cities and territories that give voice to the continent’s actors to draw a vision of more sustainable, resilient and inclusive African cities, particularly through the potential of innovation and technological development. Urban planners, architects, designers, artists, engineers and simple city dwellers, our documentary series aims to take stock of the urban dynamics of the target territory, while taking a forward-looking look at the future. Our documentaries analyze the urban dynamics of the target territories and draw the fundamentals to build more resilient and sustainable urban settlements. Let’s Work Together Get in touch so we can start working together. First Name Last Name Email Thanks for your message. We will get back to you soon. Message Send