Cultures

Learning From Kigali

How do African urbanization and contemporary architecture take shape under the pressures of rapid urban growth, global foreign investment, urgent socio-economic and environmental performance demands, and the needs of rural to urban societies?

Kigali, the capital of Rwanda has re-designed itself to be Africa`s model gateway city, a global example for implementing environmental cleanliness and leapfrogging future-orientated sectors of innovation. The topography of hills, villages, and wetlands, the dynamics between visible and invisible infrastructures of the formal and informal city, and contrasting realities of central and peripheral areas challenge the implementation of visionary policies projecting a future for a middle- income country by 2035.

We will explore diverse urban atmospheres, engage with our local partners, students, architects, planners, and changemakers to discuss questions on resilience and sustainability. We will visit vibrant public spaces, agricultural wetland projects, innovation hubs, and prototypical architectures for health and education that promote process, material resourcefulness and design as a tool to positively impact people in complex transient african environments.