The challenges of traffic congestion, civic engagement and shrinking public spaces are key themes for cities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; these same challenges cut across West Africa’s cities, too. November 4-5, African Urbanism participated in the conference “Towards a Roadmap for Sustainable Cities in the MENA Region” in Beirut, Lebanon,… Continue reading Sustainable Cities conference bridges cultures, demonstrates shared experiences on public spaces
Tag: public spaces
Re-imagining Accra’s “public spaces”
What if we let go of the limiting idea of our public spaces as “city parks” and began exploring the entire range of social spaces that already exist in the city? This is the first in a series of posts. Talented architects, designers and public space practitioners, green space enthusiasts, and everyday citizens dream of… Continue reading Re-imagining Accra’s “public spaces”
A PARK(ing) Day in Accra, Ghana: Transforming car spaces into people’s spaces, for a weekend
Here in Accra, Ghana, PARK(ing) Day came a little bit early this year (around the world, it’s to be celebrated on September 20th this year). But the essence of what we celebrated and promoted — transforming a car park into a people’s park to demonstrate the importance of public spaces, community activity and recreation —… Continue reading A PARK(ing) Day in Accra, Ghana: Transforming car spaces into people’s spaces, for a weekend
Reblog: Accra’s Mmofra Foundation puts children at the center of public space design
Originally published at UrbanAfrica.net by Victoria Okoye. “Mmofra means children,” explains Amowi Phillips of the Mmofra Foundation, giving the backstory on the children’s park that unfolds around us. Overhead, the gray sky and the sprinkle of droplets threaten rain, but here below we’re in an expansive green space full of life and activity. She takes me around… Continue reading Reblog: Accra’s Mmofra Foundation puts children at the center of public space design
Reblog: “Accra’s Efua Sutherland Children’s Park has limited access”
The 12-acre green space in central Accra known as Efua Sutherland Children’s Park is one of the city’s largest parks. Situated in the city centre and proximate to the government ministries zone, the national theatre and the city’s largest hotel, one might expect the space to be busy on a typical weekend afternoon. But in… Continue reading Reblog: “Accra’s Efua Sutherland Children’s Park has limited access”
Nationalism, spatial iconography, political history: Exploring Accra’s “Big Six” monuments for Republic Day
A series of major roundabouts (traffic circles) and one interchange in the city commemorate some of the Big Six, Ghana’s forefathers and leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention political party who agitated for and helped usher in independence from British rule in 1957. On July 1st of each year, Republic Day marks the formal creation… Continue reading Nationalism, spatial iconography, political history: Exploring Accra’s “Big Six” monuments for Republic Day