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Yaoundé, Cameroon's political capital is one of the two most important cities in the country and is experiencing rapid population growth and spatial expansion. With a population estimated at more than 3.5 million inhabitants, the city has a metropolitan dynamic reinforced by its status as a political capital. This series resorts the energy of Yaoundé, as well as its spatial configuration between modern and precarious housing. Yaoundé-Cameroon Yaoundé, Cameroon's political capital is one of the two most important cities in the country and is experiencing rapid population growth and spatial expansion. With a population estimated at more than 3.5 million inhabitants, the city has a metropolitan dynamic reinforced by its status as a political capital. This series resorts the energy of Yaoundé, as well as its spatial configuration between modern and precarious housing.

< Back Pan-African Architecture Biennale 2026 The Pan-African Architecture Biennale (PAAB), launching in Nairobi in 2026, is a groundbreaking event redefining how Africa’s built environment is imagined and discussed. In this interview with the African Innovation Network for The African Cities Magazine, curator Omar Degan, Somali-Italian architect and founder of the Biennale, explains how PAAB rejects Eurocentric notions of “modernity” and architectural value, calling instead for architectural sovereignty by Africans for Africa. Rather than showcasing spectacle, the Biennale will foster debate, collaboration, and radical self-definition across disciplines like architecture, art, urbanism, literature, and policy. Structured around decolonization, democratization, and reconnection, it aims to dismantle inherited hierarchies, revive erased knowledge, and promote education rooted in African contexts. Rotating biennially across African cities and mirrored by an open-access digital archive, PAAB ensures inclusivity and continuity. For Degan, it’s not just an event but an infrastructural and cultural movement—a collective act to reclaim authorship and reimagine African futures on African terms. In 2026, Nairobi will become the stage for a historic first: the Pan-African Architecture Biennale (PAAB). It’s not just a new event, it’s a turning point. For the first time, architects, urbanists, designers, academics, artists, writers, and policy thinkers from across the African continent and its diaspora will gather to explore, question, and rewrite the architectural narratives that have too long been defined by others. But don’t expect sleek models of futuristic towers or polite panel discussions about “development.” This Biennale isn’t selling architectural spectacle. It’s demanding architectural sovereignty. Curated by Somali-Italian architect and educator Omar Degan, the PAAB is being shaped as a radical act of self-definition. A public space where African voices lead the conversation about African spaces. It’s a break from the legacy of Eurocentric frameworks that have long dictated what counts as “good design,” “progress,” or “modernity” on the continent. Africa has always been the center of life, of resources, of knowledge. This Biennale is about reclaiming that center. It’s about shifting the architectural discourse from one imposed on Africa to one authored by Africa. Degan doesn’t mince words. He’s not trying to imitate Venice or align with global design trends. His vision is rooted in the belief that architecture is not neutral, it is cultural, political, and deeply historic. And in a continent of over 1.4 billion people, 54 countries, and thousands of traditions, the idea of a single ‘African architecture’ is both problematic and powerful. The Biennale, in his hands, becomes a platform to deconstruct clichés, surface erased knowledge, and reimagine the future of African cities on Africa’s terms. This isn’t about chasing global relevance, It’s about recognizing that what’s happening here on this continent is already shaping the future. We just need to stop asking permission to say so. At the heart of the Pan-African Architecture Biennale is a bold provocation. Indeed what if everything we’ve been taught about African architecture is wrong? For too long, the architectural identity of the continent has been boxed into two shallow extremes. On one side, there’s the romanticized image of vernacular mud huts, frequently used in travel brochures and academic footnotes, rarely treated as serious architecture. On the other, the glass-and-steel mimicry of Western cities, where so-called “modernity” is measured by height, cost, and how closely a building resembles something seen in Dubai or Shanghai. There’s this dangerous idea that architecture in Africa doesn’t exist unless it’s a safari lodge or a luxury resort designed by someone from the West. That’s the result of decades of colonial framing and academic neglect. This false binary has done real damage. It erases the rich diversity of architectural practices on the continent, flattens cultural expression, and undermines local knowledge systems that have evolved over centuries to respond to specific environments, climates, and ways of living. But Degan isn’t advocating a nostalgic return to tradition, nor is he interested in simply adding African flair to Western templates. His call is for a contemporary African architecture that emerges from the continent’s own logic, one that speaks to its ecological conditions, cultural pluralities, and social dynamics. Architecture is not about style, it’s about relationships to land, to people, to heritage. He points to the double standard embedded in global design culture. In Europe, the stone-and-wood chalets of the Alps are hailed as iconic examples of regional architecture, proof of cultural continuity and environmental wisdom. But when similar values appear in African architecture, natural materials, passive cooling, climate sensitivity they’re often dismissed as backward or undeveloped. Why are our vernacular buildings seen as primitive?” They’re no less architectural. They just haven’t been celebrated through the same lens. Degan believes this lens needs to be shattered and the Biennale aims to do just that. By gathering a wide range of voices and projects from across Africa, it seeks to expand the architectural imagination of the continent and show that African architecture is not a style, but a living, evolving system of knowledge. This is not about aesthetics. It’s about power. It’s about who gets to define what counts as architecture, and who is left out of that definition. The PAAB is not just an event, it’s a challenge to the architecture world itself. Set to debut in Nairobi in 2026, and designed to roam from city to city across the continent every two years, the Biennale aims to spark nothing short of a continental reckoning. It’s a deliberate move away from static, elitist formats and toward something fluid, collective, and rooted in African realities. We’re not trying to copy Venice. We’re not interested in replicating Western models. This is something that needs to feel African, function African, and speak African. At its core, the Biennale is a manifesto for reclaiming authorship, framed around three guiding principles: decolonization, democratization, and reconnection. The Biennale is a direct response to centuries of colonial and neocolonial control over the architectural narrative of Africa. From the design of public spaces to the curriculum in architecture schools, much of what defines “good architecture” on the continent still comes from outside. This event is about taking back the pen about giving African architects, academics, communities, and creatives the space to define, critique, and project their own visions of the built environment. The Biennale seeks to dismantle inherited hierarchies of value, style, and legitimacy. I want real conversations. Hard conversations. Like, why are local architects left out of humanitarian projects? Why does African architecture only get recognition when it’s filtered through a Western lens? The physical event in Nairobi will feature exhibitions showcasing both built and speculative projects, documentation of vernacular practices, and design research rooted in African contexts. But this isn’t just about presentation, it’s about dialogue. Instead of the usual polished panel discussions, the Biennale will host open debates where friction is welcomed and difficult questions are confronted head-on. Workshops will engage not only professionals but also students and families, making space for intergenerational exchange and grassroots participation. Across the city, installations and pop-up events will decentralize the experience, taking the Biennale out of formal institutions and into public spaces. It welcomes not just architects, but sociologists, anthropologists, planners, artists, historians, community activists, writers, and even sci-fi authors. Because building the future of African cities isn’t just a technical task, it’s a cultural, social, and political one. I want to hear from sci-fi writers. They’re imagining futures. And architects need to be in conversation with that. With dreamers, storytellers, and community builders. Workshops will engage families, students, and citizens not just professionals. Discussions will be multilingual, and spaces will be physically and digitally decentralized. It’s a vision of architecture as something collaborative, public, and alive. I don’t care about cute exhibitions where people take selfies at the vernissage. I want debates. I want friction. I want uncomfortable questions. Most global architecture events cater to the few elite institutions, jet-setting practitioners, and media-friendly “starchitects.” The PAAB is designed to do the opposite. The Biennale is preparing a fully digitized, open-access version that mirrors its physical counterpart. Every exhibition, talk, and research project will be documented, archived, and made freely available online. The reality is 90% of the people who would benefit from this Biennale won’t be able to travel to Nairobi. So we’re bringing the Biennale to them. That’s not a compromise. That’s the point. This is not an afterthought or a supplement, it’s a core component of the Biennale’s vision. The digital platform is being designed as a long-term knowledge infrastructure, a living archive that grows with each edition and remains accessible to anyone, anywhere. For students in Kisangani, researchers in Accra, or architects in the diaspora, the Biennale will be just a few clicks away. The goal is to redistribute access to architectural discourse, to break the cycle where African architects must go through Western publications or institutions to gain visibility on their own continent. The structure of the Biennale also reflects its pan-African ambition. After its inaugural edition in Nairobi, the Biennale will rotate every two years, landing in a different African city each time. This mobility is more than symbolic. Each host city will shape the identity, themes, and content of its edition, ensuring that the Biennale remains rooted in local realities and reflective of the continent’s vast diversity. What it looks like in Dakar will not be what it looks like in Addis Ababa, and that’s the point. One of the most urgent battles the Pan-African Architecture Biennale hopes to ignite is not about buildings, it’s about education. For Degan, the crisis in African architecture starts in the classroom, where outdated syllabi continue to shape how the next generation of architects think, design, and imagine. We’re still teaching Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe like they’re gods. But how many students know about Demas Nwoko, Hassan Fathy, or even someone like Laurie Baker, who worked in India for decades ? This is not a call to erase Western architectural history, but a demand for relevance and balance. Why are African architecture students still learning about 20th-century European masters in isolation without grounding in their own contexts, their own histories, their own climates and communities? The result, Degan warns, is a profession that continues to design for ideals imported from elsewhere, instead of from the ground up. But he’s quick to point out that fixing this is not as simple as swapping out a few textbooks. The deeper issue is a systemic absence of African documentation. Generations of African architects have worked often under challenging conditions, but left little behind in the way of drawings, essays, case studies, or critical reflections. Without archives, without records, without publications, the knowledge vanishes. If practitioners don’t write, if they don’t publish, then the next generation has nothing to learn from. We need to build a culture of documentation, archiving, and knowledge-sharing. Otherwise, we’re just repeating the same mistakes in silence. The Biennale, then, is not just an event or a showcase, it’s a call to action for a more self-reflective, self-sustaining architectural culture. Through its digital archive, its cross-generational dialogue, and its continent-wide network of contributors, it hopes to create a new reference library for African architectural education, one written from within. For Degan, the Biennale is also a political intervention, a way to build momentum behind local agency and push back against a top-down, imported vision of urban development. He believes African architects should have a stronger voice not just in the profession, but in policymaking, planning, and governance. We need to stop asking for a seat at the table. We need to build the table ourselves, and make it strong enough that no one can ignore it. The most radical ambition behind the Pan-African Architecture Biennale may not lie in what it presents, but in how it exists. From the start, Omar Degan has been clear: this is not another iteration of Venice in warmer weather, nor a tribute act to Chicago or Lisbon. It’s not about adapting a Euro-American model to African soil, it’s about a strory rooted in African realities, complexities, and contradictions. This has never been done before. That’s why it’s hard. But if we don’t create an African model for architectural discourse now, then when? What Degan and his team are attempting is not just a cultural event it’s an infrastructural shift. One that questions the frameworks of prestige, the flows of funding, the language of validation. One that builds its own platforms, its own archive, its own vocabulary. And crucially, one that does not wait for approval. Each one of us has a role to play. Students, practitioners. the moms bringing their kids to see what the future could be. This is not a passive event, this is a collective act. Participation doesn’t require a plane ticket. If you can’t be in Nairobi, the Biennale will meet you where you are digitally, openly, in your language and on your terms. Through its digital platform, open access archive, and decentralized philosophy, the PAAB is actively dismantling the idea that meaningful architectural discourse only happens in the room where power gathers. What’s being launched in 2026 is not a culmination, it’s a beginning. A beginning of new networks, new pedagogies, new alliances across borders and disciplines. A beginning that insists African cities are not blank slates for imported visions, but living systems of memory, struggle, creativity, and resilience. Get the full African Cities Magazine 6 Download the full article here degan-article-african_cities_magazine_6_english-20250826 .pdf Download PDF • 4.12MB Previous Next

< Back Combler la fracture numérique et autonomiser les jeunes au Niger Au cœur du Niger, une révolution numérique est en cours. Digital Niger, une organisation à but non lucratif, est en première ligne de ce mouvement, offrant aux jeunes les compétences nécessaires pour prospérer à l'ère du numérique. À travers ses programmes de formation innovants et ses partenariats, Digital Niger comble la fracture numérique et favorise l'émergence d'une nouvelle génération de jeunes compétents en technologie. Digital Niger est une communauté de plus de 25 volontaires aux parcours divers (communication, électronique, logistique, comptabilité), mais animés par la même passion : la « Technologie ». « Nos principaux objectifs sont vraiment de réduire la fracture numérique et de promouvoir l'inclusion technologique parmi les jeunes. » Digital Niger est une association à but non lucratif officiellement créée le 17 janvier 2023, bien que ses activités aient commencé bien avant cette date. Issaka Maman Lourwana, le fondateur, explique : « Nous organisons de nombreuses formations numériques. Nous couvrons également l’alphabétisation numérique, la cybersécurité et la formation aux outils digitaux. De manière générale, c’est pour les jeunes mais aussi pour les personnes plus âgées qui souhaitent aujourd'hui se reconvertir vers des carrières dans le numérique ou la technologie, si je puis dire. Parmi nos objectifs, nous souhaitons créer un centre de formation numérique accrédité, offrant divers programmes de formation dans la sous-région et, pourquoi pas, à travers toute l'Afrique, pour contribuer à former des leaders en transformation digitale. Digital Niger propose un large éventail de programmes de formation adaptés à différents groupes d’âge et besoins. Pour les jeunes de 8 à 15 ans, les programmes se concentrent sur la fabrication numérique et la familiarisation avec les ordinateurs. Ils apprennent ce qu'est un ordinateur, comment il fonctionne et les bases de son utilisation. Pour les jeunes de 15 à 35 ans, la formation comprend le codage et la programmation (Python, JavaScript, HTML), la robotique, l'intelligence artificielle, le design thinking, la cybersécurité, ainsi que des programmes spécifiques pour encourager les jeunes filles à se lancer dans le domaine de la technologie. Ces programmes visent à préparer les jeunes aux carrières dans la technologie numérique en leur fournissant des compétences pratiques et recherchées. Digital Niger organise des activités pour rassembler la communauté Tech, telles que Tech Tea, le Niger Digital Day avec l'UNICEF et l'ANSI, Iftar Tech, LinkedIn Local Niamey, etc. « Une femme de 23 ans a pu obtenir son premier ordinateur grâce à une formation qu'elle a suivie chez Digital Niger. Cela a marqué un tournant dans sa vie professionnelle, démontrant l'impact tangible de nos programmes. » La sélection des participants aux programmes de Digital Niger varie selon les tranches d’âge. Pour les jeunes de 8 à 15 ans, Digital Niger collabore directement avec les écoles publiques et privées pour proposer ses programmes. Par exemple, ils ont travaillé avec l’école privée Allianz pour introduire leurs formations. Pour les jeunes de 15 à 35 ans, la promotion des programmes de formation se fait principalement via les réseaux sociaux (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Certains programmes sont gratuits, tandis que d'autres sont payants pour financer les activités de l’association. Les formations à la carte permettent à ceux qui souhaitent se spécialiser, comme dans Power BI, de contacter Digital Niger pour une formation spécifique. Digital Niger utilise diverses méthodes pour mesurer l'impact de ses programmes de formation. Avant chaque formation, des critères et des indicateurs de performance (KPIs) sont définis. Après la formation, un sondage de satisfaction à 30 jours est réalisé pour évaluer le niveau des compétences acquises et la satisfaction des participants. Les résultats montrent un taux de satisfaction global de 83 %. « Digital Niger surmonte les défis technologiques grâce à des partenariats stratégiques, en faisant progresser la formation en IA, les plateformes d'e-learning et le soutien à l'entrepreneuriat pour les jeunes. » Digital Niger fait face à plusieurs défis communs aux initiatives en Afrique, notamment en termes d'infrastructures technologiques. Le manque d'espaces adéquatement équipés avec des machines et des équipements informatiques représente un obstacle majeur, tout comme la difficulté d'accès à des connexions Internet stables et abordables. En outre, les coupures de courant fréquentes perturbent les programmes de formation. Pour pallier ces problèmes, Digital Niger a stratégiquement programmé ses sessions de formation en fonction des coupures de courant et cherche activement des partenariats pour améliorer à la fois l'infrastructure technologique et l'accès à Internet. Les partenariats stratégiques jouent un rôle crucial dans le renforcement des programmes de Digital Niger. Avec des membres qui sont des acteurs clés de l’écosystème numérique nigérien, l’organisation facilite les collaborations avec des startups locales, des institutions gouvernementales et des organismes internationaux comme les Nations Unies. Un programme de mentorat initie les jeunes de 12 à 20 ans au monde professionnel, tandis que des partenariats avec des entreprises offrent des stages et des opportunités d'immersion, apportant ainsi une expérience pratique et un développement de carrière pour les jeunes. Pour l’avenir, Digital Niger a plusieurs projets ambitieux en cours. Un hub technologique sera lancé pour soutenir les jeunes entrepreneurs à travers les phases de pré-incubation, incubation et accélération de leurs projets numériques. De plus, un centre de formation en intelligence artificielle proposera des cours de 12 à 18 mois pour développer l’expertise en IA. Une plateforme d'e-learning est également en développement, avec pour objectif de produire du contenu local et de collaborer avec des plateformes internationales comme Coursera pour élargir les opportunités éducatives. « L'Afrique est le continent le plus jeune au monde. Avec la technologie numérique qui est transversale à tous les domaines, j'encourage tous les jeunes à se former au numérique. Nous devons être résilients et trouver des solutions pour développer notre continent. » Les témoignages des jeunes formés par Digital Niger mettent en lumière l'impact positif des programmes. Par exemple, une étudiante au Maroc a pu terminer son cursus grâce à un stage obtenu par le biais de Digital Niger. Un autre témoignage marquant est celui d'une jeune femme qui a acquis son premier ordinateur grâce à un programme de formation, illustrant l'importance des compétences numériques pour l'autonomisation et l'employabilité des jeunes. Digital Niger joue un rôle essentiel dans la réduction de la fracture numérique et la promotion de l'inclusion technologique au Niger. Malgré les défis, l’organisation continue de former des jeunes, de collaborer avec des partenaires stratégiques et de planifier des projets ambitieux pour l'avenir. Comme le souligne Issaka : avec des initiatives comme Digital Niger et le soutien d’organisations comme le Africa Innovation Network, l'Afrique progresse vers un avenir numérique prometteur, ouvrant de nouvelles opportunités pour sa jeunesse et transformant ses villes en pôles technologiques dynamiques. Previous Next

< Back Exploiter l'Internet des objets pour améliorer la qualité de l'air urbain à Douala Cameroun Dr OLINGA OLINGA Joseph Magloire La ville de Douala, en tant que capitale économique du Cameroun, fait face à des défis environnementaux majeurs, notamment dans la gestion de la qualité de l'air. Une urbanisation rapide, une croissance démographique, un parc de véhicules vieillissant et une augmentation des activités industrielles contribuent à la détérioration de la qualité de l'air, posant de sérieux risques pour la santé et l'environnement. Le projet "Clean Air for All African Cities", en collaboration avec la mairie de Douala et l'Université de Douala, a lancé le déploiement de capteurs IoT à faible coût à travers la ville pour surveiller en temps réel les principaux polluants. Ce projet pilote vise à fournir des données essentielles pour orienter les stratégies d'atténuation, sensibiliser le public et éclairer les décisions politiques. Bien que Douala ne dispose pas encore d'un plan d'action spécifique pour la gestion de la qualité de l'air, cette initiative représente une étape cruciale vers l'amélioration de la qualité de l'air et la préservation du bien-être de sa population urbaine. L'étude souligne la nécessité d'un plan global de gestion de la qualité de l'air, aligné sur les meilleures pratiques internationales, pour faire face aux défis environnementaux croissants de Douala. Le coût du développement industriel de la principale ville du Cameroun En raison de son statut privilégié de capitale économique, la ville de Douala est en quelque sorte victime de son propre potentiel économique. D’un point de vue environnemental, les principaux défis auxquels Douala est confrontée sont la gestion des déchets, les inondations récurrentes et, de plus en plus, la pollution de l'air. La qualité de l'air à Douala est un problème majeur, car la ville connaît une urbanisation rapide et une croissance démographique, combinées à l'augmentation du parc de véhicules vieillissants, à l'absence d'un système de transport urbain de masse et à la hausse des activités industrielles. En effet, la ville abrite les deux zones industrielles les plus importantes du pays, les zones industrielles de Bassa’a et de Bonabéri, qui représentent à elles seules près de 70% du tissu industriel national. En plus de ces sites, la Mission d'Aménagement et de Gestion des Zones Industrielles prévoit la création d'autres zones industrielles, notamment à Yassa sur 400 hectares et à Dibombari sur 300 hectares. La mise en opération prochaine de ces zones industrielles contribuera sans aucun doute à la détérioration de la qualité de l'air dans la ville. Il va sans dire que la qualité de l'air est désormais un facteur à prendre en compte dans l'évaluation de l'exposition de la population aux risques sanitaires. Vue sur la ville de Douala au Cameroun, Leandry Jieutsa 2023 Internet des objets pour des villes à l'air pur La dernière étude sur la qualité de l'air à Douala remonte à 2003. Actuellement, sous la supervision du Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Protection de la Nature et du Développement Durable, une étude est en cours pour identifier les principales sources de pollution atmosphérique à Douala, dans le but de les atténuer. De plus, la collaboration entre la Communauté Urbaine de Douala (CUD) et l'Équipe Pluridisciplinaire de Recherche sur les Changements Climatiques (EPR-CC) de l'Université de Douala, dans le cadre du projet "Clean Air for All African Cities", a permis l'installation de huit (08) capteurs pilotes dans certains quartiers de la ville. Sur la base de ces sources d'information, il peut être conclu que les principales sources de pollution atmosphérique à Douala sont les émissions du trafic automobile, les activités industrielles, la poussière soulevée par le trafic, et dans une certaine mesure, la combustion des déchets. Vue sur la ville de Douala au Cameroun, Leandry Jieutsa 2023 L'Internet des objets (IoT) offre des opportunités uniques pour surveiller la qualité de l'air en temps réel et en détail à l'échelle d'une ville dense et étendue comme Douala. Il a été choisi dans le cadre du projet "Clean Air for All African Cities" car cette technologie de capteurs à faible coût développée par AIRQO permet un suivi de la qualité de l'air en temps réel, à moindre coût et de manière peu intrusive, en déployant un réseau de capteurs connectés. Les informations collectées sont essentielles pour orienter les décisions, les actions, et la mobilisation collective pour une meilleure qualité de l'air en milieu urbain. À ce jour, huit (08) capteurs pilotes ont été installés dans certains quartiers de la ville. Le déploiement de ces capteurs a été effectué dans les zones les plus polluées de la ville, notamment le long des grands axes routiers, dans les quartiers industriels, et dans les zones densément peuplées suivant une grille prédéfinie. Le défi est de densifier ce réseau pour disposer d'un maillage suffisamment fin des données collectées afin d'informer les décideurs sur les mesures d'atténuation à prendre. Les données collectées à ce jour portent sur les principaux polluants atmosphériques (particules fines, oxydes d'azote, ozone, dioxyde de soufre, etc.), ainsi que sur les paramètres météorologiques (température, humidité, vent, etc.). Il ressort des données actuelles qu'à moyen terme, la pollution atmosphérique aura un impact négatif majeur sur la santé de la population urbaine à Douala, augmentant les risques de maladies respiratoires, de maladies cardiovasculaires et de cancers. Elle a également des conséquences sur l'environnement et les bâtiments, dégrade la qualité des écosystèmes, et contribue au changement climatique. La réglementation camerounaise ne recommande pas encore ce type de document ; cependant, les meilleures pratiques internationales en la matière, notamment l'Accord de Paris de 2015, recommandent que les États élaborent une Contribution Déterminée au niveau National (CDN) qui présente les engagements nationaux en matière de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, et donc, des polluants atmosphériques. Au niveau local, le Plan d’Action pour l’Énergie Durable et le Climat sert de cadre d’action pragmatique. Dans le contexte camerounais, un plan d'action pour la réduction des émissions et la gestion de la qualité de l'air pourrait inclure l'amélioration des connaissances locales sur les sources de pollution grâce à l'installation d'un réseau de capteurs connectés, y compris le renforcement des capacités des acteurs locaux dans la collecte, le traitement, et l'analyse des données, la mise en place de zones vertes à faibles émissions (hôpitaux, écoles, espaces sportifs, etc.), la promotion des modes de transport propres et de la mobilité douce (marche et vélo), comme recommandé dans le Plan de Mobilité Urbaine Durable de Douala (PMUS), ainsi que le renforcement des réglementations sur les émissions industrielles, et la sensibilisation aux problématiques de pollution de l'air. Cependant, à ce jour, la Ville de Douala n'a pas encore mis en œuvre de plan d'action spécifique sur la qualité de l'air, mais ce projet pilote réalisé avec l'Équipe Pluridisciplinaire de Recherche sur les Changements Climatiques (EPR-CC) de l'Université de Douala, dans le cadre du projet "Clean Air for All African Cities", pourrait constituer une première étape importante. Previous Next

< Back African Cities Magazine 3 October 31, 2022 This third edition opens with an interview with Jean-François Habeau, Executive Director of the Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV), on the issue of financing sustainable cities in Africa. The urban planning innovation section is followed by a wide range of innovative projects based on participation and collective construction. In order to inspire a larger number of people and particularly young people, this edition features a portrait of Aziza Chaouni, Principal architect at Aziza Chaouni Projects and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. Finally, the magazine ends with a sweep of the main events on African cities that took place during the year. Financing Sustainable Cities in Africa Interview with Jean-François Habeau, Executive Director of the Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV) The urbanization of the African continent constitutes an important economic potential provided that it is accompanied by policies aimed at low-carbon, inclusive and sustainable economies... Portrait: Aziza CHAOUNI, Principal architect at Aziza Chaouni Projects and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto A sustainable city is a city that offers enough affordable social housing. I think that giving access to housing to a large part of the population is already removing a lot of injustice. I think that it is absolutely necessary to review all our policies in terms of social housing in Morocco and in Africa. Innovative practices of urban transformation based on participation, collective making, digital technologies, dialogue, art, design English version Version française Previous Next

< Back Gearing Up & Mainstreaming Public Space: The City of Cape Town’s Quality Public Places Programme Bobby Gould-Pratt This article will discuss plans to gear up the delivery of public places within the Quality Public Places (QPP) Programme which started approximately 25 years ago by the City of Cape Town’s Urban Planning and Design Department. While just over 105 spaces across Cape Town have been implemented via the programme to date, its success has been varied, with many obstacles to the implementation of public space being encountered which includes like many other African cities, limited budgets to plan and build as well as poorly aligned governance structures to ensure adequate maintenance and management of public space. In response to a critical review of the QPP programme, a range of proposals have been identified to initiate the shift to mainstream public space within the city administration. Two of these focus areas will be discussed in this article to demonstrate the approach being taken to gear up public space delivery within a continuing context of limited budgets, constrained resources and great community need. Introducing the Quality Public Places Programme Cape Town, located on the southern tip of Africa, is South Africa’s second largest economic node and is its second most populous city. The city is currently undergoing rapid growth and urbanisation which is intensifying a range of existing challenges including poverty, high unemployment and violent crime, as well as reinforcing its extreme levels of spatial inequality- a legacy of the former apartheid system. As Cape Town moves towards overcoming these pressing challenges and realising its vision to build a City of Hope, which is defined in its various policy documents, as ‘a city that is prosperous, inclusive and healthy, where every resident can envision and realise a better future for themselves, their families and their communities,’ a focus on the performance of the public realm and the implementation of public space has an important role to play in achieving this vison. As confirmed by UN Habitat in Place Making and the Future of Cities; ‘Building inclusive, healthy, functional, and productive cities is perhaps the greatest challenge facing humanity today. There are no easy solutions and yet a key part of the puzzle lies right in the heart of the world’s urban areas: the public spaces.’ The City of Cape Town’s Quality Public Places Programme, began in response to South Africa’s democratic transition in the late 1990’s with its founding ethos related to an imperative to contribute to a more just, dignified and liveable city as well as the need to address issues of inequality, spatial fragmentation and environmental degradation. Quality of Public Places Programme: Workstreams (Source: Urban Planning and Design Department; City of Cape Town) Targeted public realm interventions were identified and focused in locations of greatest social and economic deprivation, with these public spaces being purposely different from others previously developed in the city, in that they were positioned in structurally and symbolically significant locations while having the potential to integrate different communities, promote accessibility, support microeconomic opportunities or establish a new and positive sense of place. All of the spaces intentionally adopted a holistic understanding of space that did not differentiate between municipal zoning designations. They were multifunctional in nature as well as being minimalist, generative and catalytic. Typical public spaces projects included: urban squares or forecourts at public transport or community buildings with amongst others, opportunities created for social and economic exchange as well as cultural commemoration; multifunctional community spaces with street trading, markets, play courts and food gardens; and street upgrades with a focus on improving pedestrian accessibility, safety and linkages between community facility clusters and public nodes. Examples of a variety of QPP project implemented across Cape Town in the early 2000’s (Source: Author and Urban Planning and Design Department; City of Cape Town, archives) While there have been many noteworthy achievements within the Programme including creating a greater awareness of public space, to promoting interdisciplinary collaboration on infrastructure projects as well as the receipt of several international awards in its early years, its overall impact has been varied. This in part relates to the reprioritisation of limited funding away from public realm improvement to address other competing demands in a rapidly growing city. The transversal nature of the QPP public spaces has also created blurred governance responsibilities between City departments that are predominantly arranged in silos. The complexity of requiring different departments to co-ordinate various activities within a single space has been a contributing factor to the neglect and poor maintenance of many public spaces implemented within the programme. Further challenges have been to convince City departments to take on the asset owner function of many of the proposed QPP spaces leading to a slowdown of public space delivery within the programme from 2010 onwards. High crime and a lack of personal security in Cape Town has also had a profound impact on public life and perceptions of public space across the city. Both public and private buildings are taking an inward focus, leading to blank walls and poor surveillance onto streets and public spaces. High walls and fencing as the favoured solution to secure facilities and spaces from vandalism further erodes public life by inconveniencing pedestrians as well as creating a disjointed public realm. Material choices are also not only motivated by limited funding but also the need to be extremely robust to vandalism and theft leading to a lack of comfort and joy within the public realm. Today, building on its founding ethos- which is still as relevant, the Quality Public Places Programme has expanded its focus to not only enable the implementation of place-making projects within the department but to also place emphasis on enabling and supporting all public realm partners in developing an integrated and sustainable public environment. Moving forward particular emphasis is being placed on pilot projects to demonstrate practical as well as innovative place-making solutions that others can be easily replicate. A range of separate but linked workstreams have been identified that will direct future work within the Programme with the specific objective of integrating and concentrating efforts towards promoting quality public realm outcomes. In starting to gear up for increased public space delivery, a strategic approach has been adopted which acknowledges upfront that not all the solutions to existing challenges within the programme can be solved at once. Current emphasis is being placed on both top-down and bottom-up initiatives. Vision and Direction: Establishing a Citywide Public Space System A key area of focus in building a case for increased public space delivery is to establish existing and future public space needs. Empirical data and facts are required to convince decision makers which is particularly challenging when people have different perceptions of public space- including practitioners of the built environment! While public space is generally accepted as “places which are publicly owned or of public use, accessible and enjoyed by all for free and without a profit motive,” it can take many spatial forms as well as being a social construct that is shaped by differing users values, beliefs and requirements, making it particularly difficult to define as well as quantify. It is critical to move away from reactive to proactive planning for public space provision that recognises the overlapping, fluid and multifunctional dimension of public space as well as its structural function. Emerging Integrated Public Realm Framework (Source: Urban Planning and Design Department; City of Cape Town) Building on the recommendations in the Global Public Space Toolkit prepared by UN-Habitat, a ‘public space system’ is being developed for Cape Town as part of its Metropolitan and District Planning Review process. This layer will allow public space, including open space, streets, markets and public facilities to be purposely conceptualised as a separate and independent system, while also showing its linkages and dependencies to the other functional networks within the city. Historically public space has been indicated within other various traditional mapping layers like the green infrastructure network, access system and public facilities network, which although correct has meant that it gets ‘lost’ and not properly accounted for. Giving the public space system status within formally recognised planning instruments will start to institutionalise public space with the City administration, which is critical for it to be properly funded and accounted for. Defining the public realm and the range of public spaces within it, is also becoming increasing critical as City of Cape Town policies continue to promote densification and infill development to support greater urban efficiencies. A clear vision on the location, character and quality of the public realm and its network of public spaces is required to give guidance for both green-field and brown-field development to ensure liveable neighbourhoods. A fundamental shift of the ‘public space system’ approach will be for all the typologies of public space within an area to be holistically considered and the opportunities of the collective to emerge in identifying potential place-making opportunities, particularly when vacant open land is limited and creative solutions are needed. Demonstrate: Prioritisation of Living Streets as a public space typology for Implementation Existing street condition on Ingulube Street, Philippi, Cape Town. Source: Bobby Gould-Pratt The second area of focus relates to the prioritisation of street regeneration projects. These projects are termed ‘living streets’ and are being specifically targeted as there is limited vacant public land available to provide functional public open space, particularly in existing poorly resourced parts of the city where current intensification is predominantly occurring. It is critical that existing roads which can take up to 30% of the total developable land area for a neighbourhood are better planned to serve community needs. In many cases, streets now present the only opportunity to provide social and recreational space as well as opportunities to support emerging micro economic activity. These projects are also being targeted as bulk infrastructure in many parts of the city is failing due to age or is inadequate for the growing demand created by intensification. In these locations, the infrastructure which predominantly lies under streets, needs to be replaced. This presents an opportunity to optimise limited public investment to influence more interdisciplinary and multifunctional approaches to street design and ensure potential place-making opportunities are not lost. A focus on street upgrade projects is also a precursor for supporting community stabilisation in neighbourhoods with greatest crime and social dysfunction. Ensuring that streets are clean, safe and attractive will bring dignity and hope. Typically, street improvement projects within the programme have focussed on the area within the street reserve (public land) and do not include the spaces and properties abutting the reserve, which are also integral to supporting safe, walkable and active environments. A more holistic approach to undertaking street improvement projects is required, where equal focus is given to enabling changes adjacent to the street reserve as well as within it. In many cases the solution to creating liveable streets lies in a partnership between the public and private, that begins with a broader contextual understanding and is expressed in a holistic street vision that outlines the required range of sequenced actions from both public and private actors. This approach has been explored in several projects, with the Ingulube High Street project being a good case study. Located in Philippi, with one of the highest crime rates and greatest socio-economic deprivation in the city, the street forms a key link between a large public transport interchange and a key metropolitan activity corridor making it an intense hive of activity. The street struggles to perform adequately for a range of reasons with a dominant factor being its original layout, which prioritises cars above people. Sidewalks widths are inadequate for both street trading and pedestrian use, leading to unsafe and unhygienic conditions for its users. In some sections, access to properties lining the street is taken from behind, leading to blank facades and an inability for property owners to easily optimise the economic opportunity occurring on their boundary. A holistic review of the street has been explored that proposes not only changes within the street reserve but consideration of the abutting properties on the street edge. Rezoning and other town planning mechanisms to allow property owners to easily respond to economic opportunity as well assist with making an active street interface are identified, while proposals to allow the street to better serve all user needs including vehicular, pedestrian, trading and recreational in a healthy, safe and dignified manner are proposed. This includes converting the street into a one-way route to create sufficient space for trading and pedestrians as well as much needed place-making opportunities. Existing public spaces at key intersections along the route have also been identified for upgrades which were originally constructed in the Programme in the early 2000’s. Realising this Living Street vision will take time, buy-in and trust from communities. Current initiatives are focused on community stabilisation and capacity building as well as a focus on addressing inadequate municipal services before public realm improvements can commence. A range of other street regeneration initiatives, located in differing contexts across the city are in various stages of planning and conceptualisation from St Georges Mall within the city’s historical centre, to Spine Road in Khayelitsha- a township on the outskirts of the city. All of these projects are being conceptualised and planned with external partners and stakeholders which is an essential element to ensuring their long-term sustainability and success. The intention is to entrench and mainstream this more holistic approach to street improvement to realise a network of active, safe, green and memorable streets across the city. Next steps and Lessons for the Future The QPP programme was founded on a recognition that public space needs to be planned and managed in a transversal and collaborative manner which in turn invites complexity and the delivery of successful spaces a challenge. This in many ways was an ‘achilles heel’ of the Programme which led to a slow down of public space delivery when they were not properly maintained and managed. The examples discussed in this article to support the mainstreaming of public space within Cape Town and to kick start increased public space delivery in the QPP programme, are still transversal in nature as it is a core element of public space. The key difference 25 years on, is that although there is appreciation for public space, there is a recognition that the city administration must also be ready and structured to receive them. Significant focus is therefore being given to ensuring that public space is treated like other infrastructure services to ensure it is adequately accounted and planned for. A reflection on the lifespan of the QPP programme demonstrates that there are no simple solutions to place making. The spaces that have endured are the ones that had both institutional structures in place to support them as well as communities to receive and value them. Moving forward the selection of public space projects for implementation needs to be strategic and targeted to optimise limited resources as well as to show case the value of public space within the programme. It can be argued that any type of well-planned public space project will make a difference, however in Cape Town, or any country in the Global South there isn’t this luxury. Living street projects have the ability to maximise limited resources as well as having the potential to make profound changes to improving the liveability of neighbourhoods and the lives of ordinary citizens, if they are not planned as infrastructure or engineering projects but conceptualised as places of social and economic enablers of change. Freedom Square, Bonteheuwel, Cape Town. Completed in 2023 (source: SouthLand Photography, David Savage) Get the full African Cities Magazine 6 Download the full article here bobby-article-african_cities_magazine_6_english-20250826 .pdf Download PDF • 5.15MB Previous Next

< Back The potential of Artificial Intelligence for Africa The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform African cities, but its successful integration requires a comprehensive understanding of its implications and the development of appropriate governance frameworks. The digital sector is set to grow by around $180 billion by 2030, with jobs in AI expected to grow by over 200% by 2025. AI has the potential to address challenges such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to essential services, such as improving healthcare outcomes, enhancing agricultural productivity, and optimizing urban infrastructure. AI governance, where AI ethics meet implementation through institutions and regulation, is crucial for upholding these values in the AI ecosystem. The Global Index on Responsible AI provides governments with baseline information on their country's AI activities, offering clear benchmarks for countries to ensure their citizens' rights are protected and promoted in the context of AI use. Responsible AI refers to the design, development, deployment, and governance of AI in a way that respects and protects all human rights and upholds the principles of AI ethics. “AI governance, the way in which I like to define and describe it, is where AI ethics meets implementation through institutions and regulation. So AI ethics are the values that should guide the use and development of artificial intelligence.” Rachel Adams, PhD, the Founder and CEO of the Global Center on AI Governance The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of technological advancement, reshaping industries and societies worldwide. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to transform African cities is immense. However, the successful integration of AI requires a comprehensive understanding of its implications, as well as the development of appropriate governance frameworks. The digital sector is primed for immense growth, accounting for around $180 billion by 2030, set to increase as a consequence of the enactment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Jobs in AI are likely to grow by over 200% by 2025. AI’s potential is already being used to help detect cases of tuberculosis in Nigeria, combatting poachers in Malawi, and to prevent crop disease by Cashew farmers in Ghana. Further, a program run by the South African Department of Health, called ‘MomConnect’ uses AI chatbots and software to assist over 1.8 million mothers with pre- and post-natal care. AI can be broadly defined as the simulation of human intelligence in machines, enabling them to perform tasks that typically require human cognition. This includes learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. AI applications are diverse, ranging from natural language processing and computer vision to machine learning and robotics. In the African context, AI has the potential to address a wide range of challenges, including poverty, inequality, and limited access to essential services. For instance, AI-powered systems can be used to improve healthcare outcomes, enhance agricultural productivity, and optimize urban infrastructure. AI governance really should be about how we create rules and standards that can guide everybody within the AI ecosystem to ensure that we uphold these values as AI is designed, developed, used, governed and so forth. The Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI) is the first tool to set globally-relevant benchmarks for responsible AI and assess them in countries around the world. This study constitutes the largest global data collection on responsible AI to-date. In its first edition, the Global Index on Responsible AI covers 138 countries and jurisdictions, including 41 countries from Africa. “One of the most significant things about the Global Index on Responsible AI is it included data collected from 41 African countries and no study had ever been so comprehensive in assessing responsible AI or even just AI across so many African countries.” One of the key implications of the findings of the Global Index on Responsible AI for Africa is the need for increased investment in local AI capacity. By fostering a vibrant AI ecosystem, African countries can develop their own AI technologies and applications, reducing their dependence on foreign solutions. Additionally, the index highlights the importance of building a skilled workforce capable of harnessing the power of AI. Rachel stated that the Global Index on Responsible AI provides governments with baseline information on their country's responsible AI activities and commitments. She emphasized that AI is often multi-sectoral and requires a comprehensive understanding of government-wide efforts. The index offers clear benchmarks for countries to ensure that their citizens' rights are protected and promoted in the context of AI use. These benchmarks include guidelines on public procurement, building AI skills, implementing AI ethics principles, and having data protection laws and institutions. By conducting the index annually, governments can track their progress in AI adoption and its impact on their societies. “The Global Index on Responsible AI showed us that just because you have a policy in place does not mean that you are ensuring that these technologies are governed in a way that is ethical, responsible, and protects human rights and democracy. So having a Policy alone - and policies are not binding - they just kind of demonstrate executive intent. They demonstrate that a government cares about this issue and recognizes its importance and will do a set of things.” Rachel continued to further state that they have a problem on the continent where they develop policies but lack the funding or capacity to implement them. She emphasized the need for active agencies within countries, such as oversight institutions, data protection authorities, human rights commissions, and sectoral level bodies, to understand the impact of AI on their sectors and adjust accordingly to ensure that societal values are not negatively impacted. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of networks of people, particularly civil society organizations, to be involved in this process. Global Index on Responsible AI: 2024 Scores Comprehensive, comparable, country-level data She continued by emphasizing the important role of universities and research communities in understanding the best ways to govern AI. She highlighted the lack of knowledge about the precise impacts of AI on African societies and economies, emphasizing the need for research to inform policy decisions. She also cautioned against implementing rigid government approaches similar to those in the European Union, which could hinder the growth of local innovators. Instead, she advocated for governance mechanisms that support the growth of local industries and do not impose excessive compliance costs. Additionally, Rachel stressed the importance of civil society in advocating for change, educating the public about AI, and ensuring that people's rights are protected. “The responsible design, deployment and governance of AI are proportionate to the purpose of its use and meet the technological needs of the individuals and societies it seeks to serve.” When it comes to tracking and measuring responsible AI, it’s important that it’s clearly defined. That means defining responsible AI through a human rights lens. Responsible AI refers to the design, development, deployment and governance of AI in a way that respects and protects all human rights and upholds the principles of AI ethics through every stage of the AI lifecycle and value chain. It requires all actors involved in the national AI ecosystem to take responsibility for the human, social and environmental impacts of their decisions. Rachel mentioned that South Africa had a low score for frameworks, indicating a lack of governance efforts. However, South Africa scored highest in government actions, demonstrating active involvement in AI development and safeguarding. Other countries with interesting AI policies include Senegal and Egypt, which focus on building local AI ecosystems and promoting international cooperation. While these countries have made progress in AI governance, the implementation of regulatory standards is still awaited. Rachel also mentioned her involvement in drafting the African Union Continental AI strategy, which aims to establish such standards for the continent. Regional average scores through the lens of pillars and dimensions “The African Observatory on Responsible AI serves as a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration on AI-related issues.” It brings together researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the potential of AI for the continent and address the challenges associated with its adoption. The African Observatory plays a crucial role in promoting the development of AI governance frameworks. By fostering dialogue and consensus among stakeholders, the Observatory can help to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly in Africa. Rachel mentioned that the African Observatory on Responsible AI is working to build the capacity of researchers across the continent in AI ethics. The Observatory is launching two certificate courses, one on AI and human rights in Africa with the University of Pretoria and another on African AI ethics and policy with the University of Cape Town. Additionally, they are working to raise the visibility of African voices and expertise in global AI debates and decision-making. “AI can play a significant role in addressing challenges related to Africa rapid urbanization and improving the quality of life for urban residents.” In terms of urban Infrastructure, AI can optimize traffic management, energy consumption, and waste collection. For instance, in Nairobi, AI-driven traffic management systems help reduce congestion by adjusting traffic light patterns in real-time. Similarly, in Cape Town, AI is used to monitor and manage energy consumption, leading to more efficient use of resources. In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostic tools and personalized medicine can improve healthcare access and outcomes. In Kenya, chatbots like SophieBot provide medical advice and information, making healthcare more accessible, especially in remote areas. In Nigeria, AI-driven platforms like Ubenwa use machine learning to detect birth asphyxia from a baby’s cry, potentially saving lives. In education, AI can personalize learning experiences and enhance educational outcomes. In South Africa, the Siyavula platform uses AI to provide personalized learning experiences in mathematics and science, helping students improve their understanding and performance. In financial Services, AI can enable more inclusive financial services and improve access to credit. In Ghana, AI-powered microlending apps like Fido use machine learning to assess creditworthiness and provide loans to individuals who might not have access to traditional banking services. “While the potential of AI for African cities is immense, there are several challenges that need to be addressed.” The lack of high-quality data can hinder the development and deployment of AI applications. Rachel stated that more data is needed and that existing data should be used more effectively. She emphasized the importance of data governance and data protection, noting that most African countries have data protection laws and authorities. She advocated for implementing these laws, capacitating oversight institutions, and informing people about their rights. Additionally, she highlighted the need to ensure responsible data collection practices and create a culture of data protection compliance and respect for personal data and emphasized that existing laws can address these issues rather than requiring new ones. Infrastructure limitations, such as insufficient internet connectivity and computing power, can constrain AI adoption. Additionally, talent shortages due to the scarcity of AI skills and expertise can limit the development and implementation of AI solutions. Ethical concerns also arise with the use of AI, particularly related to privacy, bias, and accountability. Rachel acknowledged that AI systems are often biased due to their reliance on Western data and worldviews. She emphasized the need to develop more representative data sets from African sources and to prioritize African-generated content in training these systems. Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of ensuring a fair and ethical supply chain for content and data generation, including intellectual property issues and worker protection. Adams stressed the importance of considering these factors when building capacities for more representative AI systems. Rachel Adams also expressed deep concern about the worsening of global inequality due to AI. She pointed out the bias and elitist nature of AI, which disproportionately benefits those with access to technology. To address these imbalances, Adams emphasized the need to ensure that AI does not exacerbate existing inequalities. She also voiced her concern about the lack of focus on structural inequality in AI research and governance. Adams underscored the critical role of governance in understanding and addressing these inequalities, particularly emphasizing the efforts of the Global Center on AI Governance. On AI colonization, Rachel acknowledged the question and mentioned her upcoming book, "The New Empire of AI: The Future of Global Inequality," which addresses the issue of AI colonization. She emphasized the need for regulations and guidelines to prevent exploitation by foreign AI firms and the importance of building local AI ecosystems. While acknowledging the presence of AI, she suggested that Africa should focus on building its own capacity to use AI for its own challenges rather than rejecting it entirely. She highlighted the existing talent and innovative AI applications in Africa that uphold African values and encouraged their support and promotion for a positive impact on African societies. “To overcome these challenges, African countries need to invest in data infrastructure, develop AI talent, and establish ethical guidelines for AI development and use. Additionally, international cooperation and knowledge sharing can play a crucial role in accelerating AI adoption in Africa.” Rachel continued to state that governments should primarily focus on regulating the emerging AI industry. She suggested that governments share their data with trusted partners through well-crafted public procurement or data sharing guidelines. While governments don't need to build AI themselves, they can share resources to enable locally appropriate AI development. She emphasized that AI should not be used as a solution for everything and highlighted the importance of considering when AI is the right solution and when it is not. Adams recommended that governments upskill their public servants and policymakers to make informed decisions about AI usage, ensuring ethical and responsible implementation. The Global Index on Responsible AI and the African Observatory on Responsible AI provide valuable insights into the potential of AI for African cities. By addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities, African countries can harness the power of AI to improve the lives of their citizens and drive sustainable development. Rachel at REAIM Summit Previous Next

< Back L’African Cities Lab : une plateforme de cours en ligne au service de la transformation urbaine en Afrique Le projet African Cities Lab (ACL) est une initiative révolutionnaire regroupant plusieurs universités africaines, visant à créer une plateforme bilingue pour l'éducation numérique sur le développement urbain. Proposant des MOOCs et des formations en ligne, l'ACL forme les acteurs urbains pour les défis à venir en Afrique d'ici 2050. Allant au-delà des cours en ligne, elle offre une exploration interactive de l'avenir urbain africain avec des cours interactifs, des études de cas réelles, et des outils pratiques dispensés par des experts. Malgré des défis techniques, financiers et sociaux, le projet explore des modèles économiques durables tout en maintenant un accès gratuit. L'ACL contribue significativement à former des acteurs clés pour un développement urbain durable et inclusif en Afrique. Une initiative portée par le continent Le projet African Cities Lab (ACL) est une initiative conjointe de plusieurs universités africaines qui vise à créer une plateforme bilingue anglais – français, d’éducation numérique africaine sur le développement urbain, offrant des MOOCs de qualité et des formations continues en ligne pour les professionnels. En d’autres termes, le projet African Cities Lab a pour ambition de former le maximum d’acteurs urbains capables de faire face aux défis auxquels les villes africaines feront face d’ici 2050. Mais la plateforme de MOOCs African Cities Lab est bien plus qu'une simple collection de cours en ligne. C'est un portail dynamique où la découverte de l'avenir urbain africain se dévoile à travers des cours interactifs basés sur les réalités des villes et proposés par des experts du domaine, des études de cas concrets et des outils théoriques utiles. L'objectif est de développer les compétences des citoyens, mais aussi des professionnels et des innovateurs afin de façonner des villes africaines durables, connectées et inclusives. La durabilité passe donc pas la formation ; c’est du moins de pari de fait l’African Cities Lab. Pour cela, l’initiative a été développée autour de trois axes que sont la plateforme, les cours en lignes, et les formations rendant ainsi le projet totalement indépendant face aux infrastructures existantes. Addis Ababa, Ethiopie Des défis à la fois techniques, financiers mais également sociaux Si acquérir un espace suffisant sur un serveur est aisé, héberger des cours de plusieurs semaines facilement accessibles et lisibles sur des téléphones portables, des tablettes, le tout dans un contexte de connexion internet instable est un défi majeur. L’accès à Internet en Afrique variant considérablement d'une région à l'autre, le défi majeur consiste à garantir l’accès à la plateforme pour les apprenants, qu'ils soient en zone urbaine ou rurale. Ensuite, la mise en place d'une infrastructure serveur solide est essentielle. La plateforme doit être capable de gérer un trafic en constante augmentation, tout en offrant un accès rapide et fluide aux cours et aux contenus. L'intégration de contenu multimédia, tels que des vidéos et des documents interactifs, est également une tâche complexe. Gérer ces éléments tout en maintenant une expérience utilisateur sans faille exige des compétences techniques avancées. La compression optimale pour un rendu de qualité a ainsi été l’objet de nombreuses questions. La sécurité des données est un défi omniprésent. La protection des informations personnelles des utilisateurs et de leurs progrès dans les cours est une priorité absolue. La plateforme doit donc mettre en place des mesures de sécurité robustes pour protéger ces données sensibles. Financé pour une première période de trois ans et demi par le Secrétariat d’État à l’économie en Suisse, le projet doit maintenant réfléchir à un modèle économique durable. Question d’autant plus difficile que les cours doivent rester libres d’accès et gratuit pour rester dans la philosophie de départ. Des pistes de solutions sont aujourd’hui à l’essai. Enfin, c’est un défi social. La création d’une communauté entre les apprenants, les professionnels de l’urbain et les partenaires qui animent et réalisent les cours sont au cœur du projet. Que ce soit dans l’évaluation des exercices entre pairs au sein même des cours en ligne, la prise de contact direct entre un professionnel et un partenaire pour obtenir un avis sur une question urbaine spécifique ou la mise en commun de force pour résoudre une problématique, la plateforme African Cities Lab développe différentes solutions gratuites pour faciliter la mise en relation. Une communauté sur Whatsapp existe par exemple pour les diplômés des MOOCs afin qu’ils puissent interagir et bénéficier d’un accès privilégié à des événements spécifiques. Groupe d'étudiants utilisant la plateforme sur un téléphone mobile Un éventail de contenus Des MOOCs axés sur la mobilité urbaine aux cours sur l'aménagement urbain, la gouvernance digitale ou encore l’éco construction, la plateforme African Cities Lab propose une variété de contenus conçus pour répondre aux défis complexes et spécifiques des villes africaines. Des experts de renommée mondiale partagent leur savoir-faire et leur expérience, offrant aux apprenants un accès direct aux dernières innovations dans le domaine du développement urbain et durable en Afrique. Quelques exemples de cours disponible sur la plateforme Un MOOC dans la lumière : La Gestion des données urbaines : clé du développement de villes africaines intelligentes », du Center of Urban Systems de l’UM6P Parmi les MOOCs offerts, celui-ci met un accent sur la collecte de données grâce à des moyens à bas coût tel que le crowdsourcing pour concevoir des solutions urbaines telles que des solutions de sécurité ou de mobilité urbaine. Vous découvrirez le rôle essentiel des données urbaines dans le développement des villes intelligentes et des moyens innovants de les collecter. En outre, vous aurez un aperçu approfondi des technologies de pointe telles que les systèmes d’information géographique, la télédétection et l’analyse des données massives, et apprendrez comment elles peuvent aider à créer des solutions pour les villes africaines. Ce MOOC m'a permis de me lancer dans le développement d'un projet qui permettra aux citoyens béninois d'avoir une vue claire des actions du gouvernement dans leur localité, en mettant en place une application mobile et web où chaque projet gouvernemental sera répertorié et où chaque citoyen contributeur pourra mettre à jour ces informations accessibles à tous. Ces données seront utiles non seulement pour le gouvernement, mais aussi pour les autorités locales et les citoyens. J'ai eu l'occasion de postuler pour un poste de chef de projet informatique sur le marché français très compétitif, et j'ai été sélectionné. À mon avis, ce qui a joué en ma faveur était la mention d'une certification en gestion des données urbaines. Aziz Vorrez, l'un des tout premiers « apprenants » de la plateforme Aziz Vorrez, l'un des tout premiers « apprenants » de la plateforme Les principales thématiques que nous couvrons dans ce MOOC sur la gestion des données urbaines répondent à un manque de connaissance dans l’utilisation des données. Nous avons abordé trois thématiques de façon chronologique à savoir : Les données urbaines massives c'est quoi? Comment collecter ces données à moindre coût à travers notamment le crowdsourcing ? Comment traiter et visualiser ces données pour une meilleure analyse. Le MOOC offre ainsi une meilleure compréhension de l'utilisation des données dans le contexte africian. Il offre les méthodes avancées d’apprentissage automatique telles que les classifications pour mieux sortir des connaissances des données. Ceci permettra de trouver des solutions aux problématiques urbaines en terme de mobilité, de gestion des déchets ou des infrastructures. Le MOOC offre aussi des études de cas pour appliquer ces données. El Bachir DIOP, l'un des initiateurs du MOOC sur la gestion des données urbaines El Bachir DIOP, l'un des initiateurs du MOOC sur la gestion des données urbaines 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 Projet de Développement Urbain Intégré et de Résilience du Grand Antananarivo : Des impacts durables sur la capitale de Madagascar Antananarivo, la capitale de Madagascar, avec ses 1,5 million d'habitants intra-muros et près de 2,5 millions en périphérie, est un paradoxe géographique. Le Projet de Développement Urbain Intégré et de Résilience du Grand Antananarivo (PRODUIR), financé par la Banque Mondiale, vise à améliorer les conditions de vie dans les quartiers défavorisés. La réhabilitation du Canal C3, crucial pour la protection contre les inondations, est en cours, avec des travaux d'aménagement et d'assainissement. La réhabilitation des digues de l'Ikopa et de la Sisaony est proche de l'achèvement. Le projet englobe également des interventions à l'échelle des quartiers, des travaux urbains, et un appui institutionnel pour renforcer la gouvernance urbaine. Ces actions intégrées visent des impacts durables sur la vie des habitants d'Antananarivo. Antananarivo, la capitale de Madagascar, une ville historique et pleine de paradoxes. Située à une altitude moyenne de 1 280 m dans la région des hauts plateaux, l’agglomération est aujourd’hui la plus grande ville de Madagascar, dont le développement s’étend au-delà de sa limite administrative. Avec ses quelque 1,5 million d’habitants, Antananarivo intra-muros concentre plus d’un tiers de la population urbaine du pays, accusant ainsi une forte domination dans le réseau urbain. Avec sa périphérie, la capitale malgache compte près de 2,5 millions de personnes qui y vivent ou qui y travaillent au quotidien. Elle produit à elle seule près de la moitié du PIB du pays. La singularité d’Antananarivo vient aussi de sa géographie particulière. La ville est dominée par une colline de direction méridienne où se trouve le palais du Rova, ancienne résidence royale, qui domine à l’ouest la plaine du Betsimitatatra avec un escarpement abrupt de plus de deux cents mètres. Antananarivo entre la colline et la plaine A ces quartiers collinaires ou centraux, s’opposent ceux de la plaine, situés à l’ouest, dont la vaste zone aménagée dans les années soixante sur d’anciennes rizières abritant des bâtiments administratifs et la grande cité planifiée des 67 hectares. Cependant, avec la pression démographique conjuguée au poids important de l’exode rural les anciennes plaines rizicoles marquées de quelques noyaux d’habitations, sont rapidement devenues des quartiers très denses développés anarchiquement, et caractérisés par différentes formes de précarités (Anatihazo, Andavamamba, Ankasina…). C’est dans ces quartiers inondables et majoritairement précaires qu’œuvre le Projet de Développement Urbain Intégré et de Résilience du Grand Antananarivo (PRODUIR). Sur sollicitation du Gouvernement Malagasy, la Banque Mondiale s’est engagée à appuyer le développement urbain intégré du Grand Antananarivo sur le long terme, dans le cadre d’une série de projets. PRODUIR étant le premier projet de la série, a bénéficié d’un financement IDA de 125 millions de dollars, dont l’exécution s’étalera jusqu’en 2025. Mis en œuvre sous tutelle du Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire et des Services Fonciers (MATSF), le projet vise de manière générale à améliorer les conditions de vie en milieu urbain et la résilience aux inondations des populations dans certains quartiers défavorisés du Grand Antananarivo. Le projet vise de manière générale à améliorer les conditions de vie en milieu urbain et la résilience aux inondations des populations dans certains quartiers défavorisés du Grand Antananarivo. Protéger Antananarivo et ses environs contre l’inondation Le Canal C3, comme principale axe d’intervention La réhabilitation du Canal C3 est une priorité pour la protection de la plaine d’Antananarivo contre les inondations pluviales. Celui-ci fait partie des trois principaux canaux de drainage des eaux pluviales de la plaine urbanisée d’Antananarivo. 48% des fonds sont destinés à la remise en état de fonctionnement des infrastructures hydrauliques, dont le canal C3 qui s’étale sur 12 km. Près de 115 000 m3 de boue de curage sont prévues être enlevées durant les travaux qui consistent également à la remise en état de cet ouvrage de drainage dans son état initial théorique à travers des curages et des renforcements de berges. L’aménagement d’un site de confinement des boues de curage ainsi que l’aménagement d’un site de réinstallation des populations affectées par le projet viendront aussi accompagner cet axe majeur du projet. L’assainissement et le curage du canal C3 sur une longueur de 12 km seront effectués à partir de février 2024 pour permettre aux eaux de pluies de s’écouler plus facilement et rapidement. En outre, le projet améliorera les quartiers traversés par le canal C3 avec la création de routes, de cheminements piétons le long du canal et de passerelles, l’installation d’équipements sanitaires, de lavoirs et de bornes fontaines ainsi que les emplacements pour bac de collecte des ordures ménagères. Ces travaux d’intérêts généraux réduiront sensiblement les inondations qui s’aggravent tous les ans dans les zones basses et auront des retombées multiples sur la santé, la mobilité et les activités économiques de la population concernée. La réhabilitation des digues, un avancement à grand pas Aujourd’hui, l’un des grands chantiers de PRODUIR est en passe d’être terminé : la réhabilitation de la digue de l’Ikopa et de la Sisaony, parmi les ouvrages majeurs de la protection de la plaine d’Antananarivo face aux inondations. En plus de ces actions, des travaux de confortement et de réhabilitation de quelques tronçons de digues d’une longueur totale de 1,3 km seront réalisées. Il s’agit notamment des digues endommagées durant les épisodes climatiques successifs de 2022, présentant un risque élevé pour l’ensemble de l’agglomération d’Antananarivo. L’ensemble de ces travaux, permettront de réduire considérablement les expositions des quartiers vulnérables et de la population urbaine, aux risques d’inondation récurrentes que subit la capitale de Madagascar. Les travaux de confortement de digues pour protéger la ville contre l’inondation 2023 Des interventions à l’échelle de quartier, pour transformer la vie de la communauté Le projet se focalise également à la structuration de divers quartiers de la capitale et de ses environs à travers des travaux urbains relatifs à l’amélioration de la mobilité et de l’accessibilité, de l’accès aux services d’assainissement de base, et de renforcement de la résilience (ruelles, bibliothèques, marchés, passerelles…). Ce, dans le but d’améliorer les conditions de vie des habitants de la Ville des Mille (l’un des surnoms de la capitale), et d’insuffler une transformation et une restructuration du paysage urbain. Près de 500 infrastructures devraient être construites d’ici la fin du projet qui bénéficieront à un peu plus de 650 000 personnes. D’autres travaux de restructuration et de rénovation urbaine seront aussi identifiés et réalisés dans les prochaines phases du projet. Toutes ces infrastructures ont des finalités communes : contribuer au bien-être de la communauté, au désenclavement des quartiers et à l’amélioration des quartiers bien souvent précaires avec une très forte densité de population. Appuyer les institutions pour une gouvernance urbaine résiliente Dans une de ses sous-composantes, le PRODUIR appui le MATSF et les Communes concernées pour la réalisation d’une étude urbaine et sociale visant à doter la zone d’intervention d’un plan d’urbanisme de détail, qui sera l’outil de référence pour la définition des investissements dans la rénovation urbaine. Sur le plan institutionnel, plusieurs activités de renforcement de capacité sont également lancées pour améliorer la gouvernance urbaine, la gestion municipale et l’internalisation des recommandations des outils de planification, mais aussi pour améliorer les capacités des acteurs à répondre rapidement et efficacement à une situation d’urgence/crise notamment les cas de catastrophes. A travers ces interventions multiples et intégrées, le projet veut induire des impacts durables sur la capitale de Madagascar et ses habitants. Previous Next

< Back Faire la ville ensemble : co-construire la ville africaine par l'apprentissage Stéphanie Wattrelos Rutily, Insaf Ben Othmane La tendance mondiale à l'urbanisation s'accélère, avec plus de la moitié de la population mondiale vivant en ville, une proportion qui devrait atteindre 70 % d'ici 2050. Cependant, 90 % de cette croissance se produit en Asie et en Afrique, avec 75 % concentrée dans les villes intermédiaires de moins d'un million d'habitants. Les gouvernements africains sont confrontés à d'énormes défis pour améliorer les conditions de vie et répondre aux besoins des nouveaux citadins. L'urbanisme participatif représente un changement de paradigme qui appelle à des arrangements coopératifs où les habitants et les acteurs de la ville participent au processus de planification, de conception et de gestion. Le Campus AFD, Oecumene Spaces For Dignity et Africa Innovation Network ont co-construit « Faire La Ville Ensemble » pour soutenir les acteurs de la ville dans la prise de conscience des changements de paradigme nécessaires. La structure pédagogique numérique alterne entre apprentissage en ligne et temps collaboratifs dans un atelier numérique, fondée sur des principes pédagogiques innovants. Nous vivons dans un monde en rupture, où tout change, tout s'accélère, tout devient plus complexe, plus fragile et incertain. La planète s'urbanise à un rythme sans précédent. Déjà, plus de la moitié de la population mondiale vit en ville ; cette proportion atteindra 70 % d'ici 2050. Toutefois, bien que cette tendance soit mondiale, elle n'est pas uniforme : 90 % de la croissance urbaine mondiale se produit en Asie et en Afrique, avec des caractéristiques variées d'un pays à l'autre en termes de vitesse, d'échelle, de structure du tissu urbain et de couverture territoriale ; la croissance urbaine se déroule dans des mégapoles, mais 75 % de cette croissance se produit et continuera de se produire dans les villes intermédiaires de moins d'un million d'habitants. Les gouvernements africains, tant nationaux que locaux, sont confrontés à d'immenses défis pour améliorer les conditions de vie de leurs habitants et répondre aux besoins des nouveaux citadins. L'ampleur, la force et la vitesse de ces changements nous obligent à agir rapidement, à réinventer nos façons de penser et de vivre dans le monde, et surtout à replacer les habitants et les utilisateurs au cœur de la construction des villes et des territoires. « L'urbanisme participatif est un paradigme de planification qui appelle à des arrangements coopératifs dans lesquels les habitants et les acteurs de la ville sont impliqués dans le processus de planification, de conception et de gestion. Il promeut le dialogue ouvert et la collaboration fructueuse entre les parties prenantes : habitants, utilisateurs, experts, décideurs et investisseurs, permettant de renforcer la cohésion sociale et une meilleure gestion des ressources avec un engagement toujours plus grand des communautés, des institutions locales et des acteurs locaux. Cependant, l'urbanisme participatif n'est pas intuitif. Il nécessite un fort engagement des maîtres d'ouvrage et, par conséquent, des élus locaux ainsi que la participation d'une vaste gamme d'acteurs prêts à s'investir. Il requiert un investissement important en temps et en ressources, une méthodologie structurée et des efforts ciblés pour assurer le succès. Qui dit urbanisme participatif dit participation. De nouvelles compétences doivent être acquises pour mobiliser et fédérer les acteurs locaux, collaborer et co-construire. » Insaf Ben Othmane Hamrouni, Fondatrice et Directrice exécutive, Œcumene Spaces For Dignity. La construction de la ville, en Afrique comme dans le monde, ne peut plus se faire sans les habitants, les utilisateurs, les acteurs économiques, les associations, les experts et les opérateurs. Cela doit être présent à toutes les étapes du projet (de sa conception à sa mise en œuvre). Ce changement de paradigme dans la manière de penser l'urbanisme et cette reconfiguration des rôles impliquent de nouveaux « modes de faire » : « faire avec » et, surtout, « faire ensemble ». Le continent africain bénéficie de certains atouts, tels que : La puissance de l'innovation africaine combinant à la fois l'esprit du jugaad (faire mieux ou aussi bien avec moins de ressources) et le leapfrogging (capacité à faire un bond qualitatif) ; Une culture du collectif et de la fabrication informelle de la ville (une culture de l'apprentissage communautaire) ; L'émergence des communs urbains, qui prennent la forme de « lieux, publics ou privés, partagés par les habitants qui développent des usages pluriels, impliquant ainsi une multitude d'acteurs différents dans une gouvernance ouverte et mobilisant les ressources variées du territoire, matérielles et immatérielles, pour des usages destinés à différents cercles d'utilisateurs » (Françoise et al., 2022). Ces communs urbains se concrétisent de manière plus tangible par le développement de tiers-lieux culturels, de terrains de sport, de jardins partagés, de Fab labs, d'espaces de marché et de communautés d'apprentissage. En Afrique, des initiatives d'urbanisme participatif ont émergé dans le processus de fabrication du tissu urbain et prennent des formes multiples, telles que l'urbanisme tactique, l'urbanisme éphémère, l'urbanisme temporaire, l'urbanisme transitoire, etc. Véritable levier de transformation des territoires par la co-construction, le partage, la participation et l'innovation, l'urbanisme participatif offre de nombreuses opportunités pour construire des territoires plus inclusifs, résilients et durables, répondant aux besoins de leurs habitants. Pour Luc Gnacadja, la gestion et la gouvernance urbaine doivent se hisser à la hauteur des défis. Le premier facteur requis est le leadership et la qualité managériale des acteurs clés de la gouvernance publique. « Nous ne sommes pas équipés pour sortir de nos schémas mentaux et inventer de nouvelles manières de faire ; nous devons collectivement apprendre à libérer nos imaginaires et à nous affranchir de nos préjugés, à penser systématiquement et à connecter plutôt que séparer. Il ne s'agit pas d'éclipser le savoir-faire technique, mais de renforcer la capacité à identifier, mobiliser et synergiser les initiatives sur le terrain pour activer des collaborations qui mettent en valeur l'intelligence collective et partagent la connaissance, la créativité et la co-construction de solutions propres à chaque territoire. Et cela doit être appris, vécu et expérimenté plutôt que décrété. » Stéphanie Wattrelos Rutily, Urbaniste, chargée de projets pédagogiques, Campus AFD. La ville africaine durable doit être plus inclusive, libérant la créativité de chacun pour construire des solutions durables. Pour relever le défi de la ville pour tous et soutenir les acteurs de la ville dans la sensibilisation aux changements de paradigme nécessaires, le Campus AFD, Oecumene Spaces For Dignity et Africa Innovation Network ont co-construit, avec et pour ces acteurs, « Faire La Ville Ensemble » un nouveau parcours d'apprentissage immersif et collaboratif. Ses objectifs : comprendre les dynamiques complexes à l'œuvre dans les territoires urbains ; identifier les notions de participation et co-définir ensemble les concepts clés pour une participation ouverte et partagée en Afrique ; sensibiliser et initier les acteurs de la ville en Afrique aux approches et outils pour co-construire des projets urbains en s'appuyant sur l'intelligence collective et la créativité. Cette formation vise à transformer les postures et à accompagner le changement pour passer du rôle traditionnel de chef de projet à celui de facilitateur au sein de son territoire. « Ce que je retiens de mon parcours sur “Faire la ville ensemble”, ce sont ces moments intenses qui ponctuent les différentes phases de mise en œuvre de la participation comme outil essentiel à la fabrication de la ville. Cet exercice complexe et instructif nous a permis, en tant que participants, de faire face aux défis de nos villes, notamment en Afrique, où l'anarchie, la précarité et l'absence de planification stratégique en constituent le trait central. Mais à mesure que nous apprenions ces méthodes de participation, nous avons réalisé qu'il est possible de rêver de villes africaines inclusives et durables qui se construisent différemment, avec de nouvelles approches impliquant les différents acteurs dans la création d'une vision partagée de leur ville. Cela permet aux autres parties prenantes de planifier ensemble et de travailler vers un objectif commun. Ces méthodes bénéficient à l'Agence d'urbanisme du Grand Tunis, qui intervient principalement pour assister les autorités locales dans l'élaboration de leurs outils d'urbanisme, constituant une opportunité de mettre ces approches en pratique. » Jihene Ghiloufi Dahmeni, Ingénieur, Directrice de la gestion de l'information urbaine, Tunisie. La structure pédagogique numérique « Faire la Ville Ensemble », co-construite avec les acteurs locaux, alternera apprentissage en ligne et temps collaboratifs dans un atelier numérique, en s'appuyant sur des principes pédagogiques innovants, à savoir : Conçue comme un commun numérique, la plateforme « Faire la Ville Ensemble » propose du contenu éducatif dynamique et interactif (expériences de terrain, vidéos, infographies, boîtes à outils, quiz...) à découvrir à son propre rythme et en autonomie ; Et pour explorer, inventer, se mettre à la place de… et apprendre par le jeu, l'intelligence collective et la créativité, des ateliers numériques collaboratifs ponctuent tout le parcours pour ceux qui disposent de plus de temps. Plus qu'une simple formation, « Faire la Ville Ensemble » est une véritable expérience d'apprentissage qui s'appuie sur l'innovation, l'intelligence collective et la puissance du partage d'expériences. C'est avant tout une communauté d'acteurs de la ville engagés dans la volonté de replacer l'humain au cœur de la construction de la ville. Previous Next

< Back Improving urban water services in Rundu, Namibia with the Digital Job Card Abigail Kemper; Dora Hegyi; Yuming Pan Rundu is a town in the North of Namibia, on the Okavango River. Despite having a perennial source of water, Rundu town residents often face water shortages, where the taps run dry. A representative of Rundu Town Council stated, “We cannot say with certainty why we are losing water”. The artisans and technical managers have a good sense of the areas where they attend to the most water leakages, defective meters and illegal connections, however the data or evidence of this is lacking. This limits the development of evidence-based plans and undermines the ability to justify budget requests or secure external funding. Together with Rundu Town Council, UNITAC identified the need for a digital solution to capture data by artisans attending to water and sanitation related jobs. The uptake of the Digital Job Card in Rundu Town Council is expected to enhance service delivery and water loss management by enabling accurate data collection, streamlined database integration, real-time performance monitoring via dashboards, and proactive task management through customizable notifications. Why do the taps run dry? Residents in Rundu do not understand why the taps run dry when their town is settled alongside the Okavango River, bordering Angola. The river sustains the community as a source of clean water as well as fish, and “Rundu is famous for its beach” according to local town representatives. It is an attractive tourist destination, and the urban population has grown at a rapid rate from 25,500 in 1999 to 118,000 in 2024, making it the second in size after the capital, City of Windhoek. Despite having a perennial source of water, residents often face water shortages. Approximately 50% of Rundu residents live in informal settlements according to the local authority. In Ndama Informal Settlement, communal stand pipes with prepaid water meters supply the community as well as private households from in formal settlement areas. Many households collect water on foot or with spaghetti pipes (illegal connections tapping into the municipal supply system). The formal and illegal connections experience low pressure in the pipes and as a result, inadequate and unreliable water supply. Borehole pump to supply the new school located south of Ndama Informal Settlement, by Kemper_2024 Rundu Town Council is responsible for upgrading informal settlements in the town boundary and delivering basic urban services to residents, businesses and organisations in Rundu as provided for in Section 30 of the Local Authorities Act (Act 23 of 1992) as amended for the administration of Local authority affairs within the proclaimed Local authority area of Rundu. This includes supplying water and sanitation services to informal settlement residents. At the same time, the Town Council is mandated to recover the costs and generate revenue from these services. However, the estimated water leakage index for Rundu is between 26 - 34%. This indicates a high rate of water losses for which no revenue is collected. Furthermore, the Town Council has accrued a debt of N$ 333 million (approx. USD 18.7 million) with the country’s bulk water supplier, NamWater as of March 2025 according to Petersen S (2025). A representative of Rundu Town Council stated, “We cannot say with certainty why we are losing water”. This is a multi-faceted problem which requires a deeper dive into the water supply and demand side issues. A detailed evaluation of the available data, interviews and site visits to Rundu were conducted by the United Nations Innovation and Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC) between November 2024 – March 2025. The local authority and bulk water supplier, NamWater have plans to extend the water supply infrastructure. However, several data management and data collection issues remain. Installing bulk meters at each supply point will enable the town to check whether the total volume of water received from NamWater is as much as the Town Council is being billed for. The artisans and technical managers have a good sense of the areas where they attend to the most water leakages, defective meters and illegal connections, however the data or evidence of this is lacking. This limits the development of evidence-based plans and undermines the ability to justify budget requests or secure external funding. Additionally, on a household scale, some customers with water meters have raised concerns that the readings and charges on their meters are inaccurate. This is cited as one of the reasons why customers are not settling their accounts. A People Centered Smart City approach Rundu is one of four local towns in Namibia where the BMZ-funded UNITAC project “Just transitions in vulnerable places” is exploring digital and urban data solutions to improve enhanced evidence-based decision making. It builds on and supports the work of various existing urban initiatives in Namibia, aiming to improve the information base for effectively enhancing climate resilience of informal settlements through mapping, data collection, data management, data governance and provision of climate smart basic infrastructure in informal settlements. Since 2023, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has supported this project and the local adoption of digital and data solutions needed to upgrade informal settlements. The combination of national government support and the possibility to explore various use cases at the local government level has given the project legitimacy and flexibility to examine the unique needs of local towns and iteratively develop and collaborate with local stakeholders, such as the Namibia Housing Action Group and GIZ ISUD programme. Ideation and user testing workshops_Barnard_2025 Adopting a user-centered Design Thinking approach ensured that the development of digital and data solutions was not tech-driven but focused on real human needs, exemplifying UN Habitat’s People-Centered Smart Cities model. UNITAC and Rundu Town Council identified the delivery of water services as one of the main local challenges and priorities in Rundu related to building climate resilience in informal settlements. Based on several engagements with the Technical Management including the Finance Manager, user needs assessments and the detailed evaluation of available data, a solution for digitally capturing data by artisans attending to water and sanitation related jobs was desired. Similar challenges related to data management, but varying use cases and priority areas have been reported across different town councils and various departments. Following the design thinking process, a versatile digital tool named ‘Digital Job Card’ has been conceptualized, developed and tested to fulfill these diverse needs. The Digital Job Card is a web and mobile application designed to work both online and offline. The app digitalizes the process of creating and tracking job cards for different urban services or issues such as water infrastructure maintenance, electricity fault reporting, or building inspection for local authorities in Namibia. With this system, technical staff and clerks can track and report on the completion of their tasks or the status of an issue, allowing supervisors and managers to have sight of the data in near real time. The collected information can be used for monitoring processes, data management, analysis and visualisation, thereby improving information accessibility and evidence-based decision-making, planning and service delivery. The prototype was developed in collaboration with Rehoboth Town Council initially, another partner town of the project. Like Rundu Town Council, the technical management team participated in user needs and ideation workshops, as well as user testing sessions. The prototype was developed with scalability in mind. It was intentionally designed to be easily customizable by other towns and simple enough to adopt in the business processes of one division or multiple divisions of the local authority. The mobile application leverages KoboToolbox for offline data collection and enables town councils to create and edit forms autonomously. The app also integrates customised components for user authentication and real-time notifications. Apache Superset is used for data visualisation so that town councils can easily monitor KPIs, as well as detect operational bottlenecks, hence contribute to efficient resource management. With accurate records of water services and issues, Rundu will be able to improve service delivery The uptake of the Digital Job Card can have a very positive impact upon service delivery and improve the ability of Rundu Town Council to better manage water losses. The Council will also be able to communicate to residents, how and where the water network requires repair, and what options they have to purchase a water connection or collect water. This will go a long way to improving service delivery. There are four components of the tool, which have a positive impact on service delivery. The first component is data collection. More accurate location data is collected using GPS functionality of the Digital Job Card. Previously the artisan manually captured the address or description of the location, however the common names for street addresses did not always match the cadastral information and could not easily be mapped, limiting the ability to conduct any geospatial data analysis. Furthermore, digital forms adapted from paper-based system can be easily created and customized in a no code/low code environment. They support interactive question formats such as conditional logic, multimedia inputs and pre-filled options, which make data collection more efficient and accurate. Digital Job Card app streamlines data collection and storage, enabling structured, real-time input from the field with temporal and spatial dimensions. Data collected can be exported directly or through API by admin users for downstream analysis. User testing with artisans supervisors and technical managers in Rundu in March 2025_Kemper The second component is the dataset. Datasets collected through Digital Job Card APP brings town councils closer to establishing an integrated database, that consolidates various data sources, including cadastral and consumer information. The third component is the dashboard. The dashboard, like other business intelligence tools offers users an overview of important metrics or indictors. For example, the technical manager can monitor response times – calculated as the time from when the job was assigned to the time it was completed. The visualized data also serves the reporting requirements. Supervisors who used to manually generate charts and graphs to report the monthly or weekly activities of their service teams, can now do so at the click of a button. The fourth component is theommunication and workflow. Email and SMS notifications are set to the user’s preferences. For example, it may be set to alert the Manager when a new task is assigned and or completed, or only when the number of incomplete or unassigned tasks exceeds a certain threshold warranting attention from the Manager. This has a positive impact on more effective management and service delivery improvements. Previously, the workflow required artisans to collect request form in the front desk and obtain hand signature or in-person approvals upon job completion. This process can lead to delays, particularly when managers are not available or out of town. With 6-12 months of data collected by artisans using the Digital Job Card in the field, the Head of Water and Sanitation will be able to assess where specific jobs and issues are most prolific and in which season. It is expected that over time, evidence of where water leakages are most often repaired will indicate aging infrastructure. Evidence of where new water connections are installed, illegal connections are removed, or broken water meters are common, will all significantly contribute to the town’s ability to manage water losses and plan appropriate interventions. This data can also help motivate for budget and finances to prioritise such interventions. The Digital Job Card is ready for uptake in other towns with the same aim to improve service delivery The uptake of the Digital Job Card in Rundu Town Council is expected to enhance service delivery and water loss management by enabling accurate data collection, streamlined database integration, real-time performance monitoring via dashboards, and proactive task management through customizable notifications. Much hope rests in the possibility for innovation to address Africa’s challenges, (Adesida et al 2021) and this is a real-world example. However, the impact of this project will be determined by local commitment to use the tool in their daily operations. The value and quality of the data collected will only be as good as the users let it be. The uptake of the tool needs to be driven by the Technical Managers and supervisors who are responsible for using the tool and instructing artisans to use the tool. The Digital Job Card’s innovation lies in its simplicity. The application is easily customisable in a no code/low code environment and it is easily scaled to other towns and multiple business processes. It allows local authorities (especially secondary towns unable to implement city scale solutions) to take one step at a time in the direction of digital tools and services. This simple tool catapults the ability of local authorities to improve service delivery by communicating real-time service-related requests and status updates within the local authority and with customers. And by creating access to information and service performance data which informs better urban planning and sustainable infrastructure planning. Other towns and local governments are invited to contact unitac@un.org to find out more about implementing the Digital Job Card in their daily operations. Get the full African Cities Magazine 6 Download the full article here kemper-article-african_cities_magazine_6_english-20250826 .pdf Download PDF • 3.40MB Previous Next