tactical urbanism

For African cities, ‘tactical urbanism’ has its limits

In Accra, a bicycle vendor has set up shop at the sidewalk in the area of Mamobi.

It was a few years ago that the framework of tactical urbanism, a concept particularly promoted and popularized by U.S. planning design firm Street Plans Collaborative, gained traction, particularly in the United States and European contexts. The idea of tactical urbanism refers to locally led, low-cost and short-term built environment interventions aimed at improving local… Continue reading For African cities, ‘tactical urbanism’ has its limits

Dakar: A city full of color

Here in Dakar, it seems that the entire urban landscape is full of color: The walls, the sidewalks, the transport, houses and buildings, as well as the bright clothes of urban dwellers themselves. For example, the bright contrast between the light brown sands of this Sahelian city and the azure sky. The walls dressed in… Continue reading Dakar: A city full of color

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