Linda & Turan Duda Travel Fellowship 2024
Purvij Munshi l M.Arch Track I l May 2024
Empowering Marginalized Communities: Architecture as a Catalyst for Social Justice in Africa “As designers, we hold within our hands the power to rewrite the narratives of inequality and injustice. Through our craft, we can build bridges where there are walls, cultivate spaces of belonging amidst division, and weave threads of compassion into the fabric of our communities. Let us not underestimate the profound impact of our work nor the immense responsibility it entails. For every line we draw, every structure we shape, and every space we create has the potential to spark a revolution of empathy and solidarity. May we approach our practice with humility, courage, and a steadfast commitment to serving the greater good. For in the end, it is not the monuments we erect or the accolades we receive that define our legacy, but the lives we touch and the futures we inspire.” - John Cary, Design for Good: A New Era of Architecture for Everyone
Introduction In contemporary society, the creation of our built environment remains an exclusive privilege, reserved primarily for a select elite. Architects and designers, complicit in perpetuating this status quo, have allowed commercially-driven interests to dictate whose needs are met and which issues are addressed. Meanwhile, countless individuals across the globe grapple daily with social, political, and economic inequities; coupled with the urgent challenges of climate change, housing shortages, and sociopolitical unrest, there arises an imperative to craft environments that prioritize public interests. In such contexts, disciplines like architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture emerge as potent instruments for fostering transformative change within marginalized communities. These communities, often silenced and sidelined, stand to gain agency, access, and fundamental human rights through thoughtful design interventions. The intersection of social design, participatory practices, and understanding the challenges faced by marginalized communities becomes paramount in reimagining our built landscapes. Drawing from the ethos of inclusivity, we as designers must seize the opportunity to identify marginalized communities dealing with socio-economic-environmental challenges in Africa and analyze the effectiveness of design interventions aimed at addressing their needs.
Proposal In my ongoing research, I delve into identifying marginalized communities and understanding the pressing challenges they face, particularly focusing on the Maya Community in rural Kenya. Under the guidance of Professor Donghwan Moon, our project seeks to understand the complexities of urban challenges and the potential of architecture and design to mitigate them. The Maya Community, situated on a peninsula in Kenya, confronts a myriad of hardships, including poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation. One of the most pressing issues is the threat of
land insecurity and land grabbing, which undermines the community’s ownership and identity. Building upon the insights gained from our research in the Maya Community, I seek to extend my investigation to other marginalized communities across Africa. The lessons learned from studying the Maya Community’s socio-economic and environmental challenges will serve as a foundation for understanding similar dynamics in other regions of the continent. By connecting the findings and methodologies of our current research with the proposed study, I aim to ensure a coherent and comprehensive approach to identifying marginalized communities and analyzing the effectiveness of design interventions aimed at addressing their needs in Africa. Studying major cities provides a strategic entry point for identifying rural communities facing similar challenges. The urban-rural linkages and the impact of urbanization on surrounding areas offer valuable insights into the broader socio-economic and environmental context. By examining major cities, I can gain a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of urban centers and rural communities, thereby informing more effective and inclusive interventions. Africa presents a unique context characterized by demographic shifts, environmental vulnerabilities, and historical legacies of colonialism. The urgent need for infrastructure and design interventions in rural African communities underscores the significance of focusing on this continent. Additionally, Africa’s rich cultural diversity and traditional knowledge systems offer valuable resources for co-creating context-sensitive interventions with local communities. I draw inspiration from existing design interventions in Africa, including: a) The Makoko Floating School in Nigeria by the Architecture for Humanity organization, provides a resilient educational space for a marginalized waterfront community. b) The Butaro District Hospital in Rwanda by the MASS Design Group, exemplifies a holistic approach to healthcare design, integrating local materials and sustainability principles. c) The Gando Primary School in Burkina Faso by Architect Francis Kere, promotes cultural continuity and environmental stewardship through vernacular architecture. d) The Kibera Public Space Project in Kenya by Kounkuey Design Initiative, transforms underutilized areas into vibrant community hubs, fostering social cohesion and resilience; I plan to analyze the effectiveness of these interventions in addressing the needs of marginalized communities and draw insights to inform future design interventions.
Research Questions What are the socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by marginalized communities in Africa, and how do they manifest in the built environment? What are the existing design interventions and communitydriven initiatives aimed at addressing the identified challenges, and what are their impacts and outcomes?
Impact As a researcher deeply immersed in the exploration of marginalized communities, particularly through my study of the Maya Community in rural Kenya, I possess a personal connection to the topic of my proposed research. This connection stems from a profound commitment to leveraging architecture and design as tools for social change and empowerment. Under the mentorship of esteemed professors at NC State University, including Prof. Donghwan Moon, Prof. Bryan Bell, Prof. Thomas Barrie, and Prof. Robin Abrams, I have gained valuable insights into the multifaceted challenges prevalent in marginalized communities worldwide. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of my research, instilling in me a deep sense of responsibility and purpose to address societal inequalities through design interventions. By integrating diverse perspectives and experiences, my research proposal aims to generate tangible impact and outcomes. Through the identification of marginalized communities and analysis of existing design interventions, I seek to inform policy advocacy and community empowerment initiatives. By employing participatory research methodologies, I aim to foster collaboration and co-creation of knowledge, ensuring that the voices and agency of marginalized communities are prioritized in decision-making processes related to urban development. Ultimately, my research contributes to advancing my future career by deepening my understanding of the effectiveness of design interventions in addressing the needs of marginalized communities in Africa. By embracing a paradigm shift towards design activism, I aspire to harness the transformative power of architecture and design to create tangible hope and progress for marginalized communities. Through collaborative efforts and community engagement, I believe that we can rewrite the narratives of inequality and injustice, building bridges of empathy and solidarity that transcend boundaries and transform lives. Additionally, I am grateful for the opportunity presented by the Linda and Turan Duda Travel Fellowship. Having seen firsthand the challenges these communities face, this fellowship would provide me with the opportunity to contribute towards improving lives and leveraging design as catalyst for social justice in marginalized communities in Africa.
Bibliography Banz, Claudia, Michael Krohn, and Angeli Sachs. Social Design: Participation and Empowerment. Zürich: Lars Müller Publishers, 2018. Bell, Bryan, and Katie Wakeford. Expanding Architecture: Design as Activism. Distributed Art Publishers, 2008. Cary, John. Design for Good: A New Era of Architecture for Everyone. Island Press, 2017.
Linda & Turan Duda Travel Fellowship 2024
Purvij Munshi l M.Arch Track I l May 2024
Travel Budget Daily Expense Breakdown Nairobi Kigali Dar es Salaam Cape town Johannesburg Ouagadougou Dakar
Days 4 3 3 4 3 3 5
Lodging $ 40 $ 50 $ 45 $ 60 $ 55 $ 35 $ 45
Food + Transportation $ 50 $ 30 $ 40 $ 60 $ 50 $ 30 $ 40
Total $ 360 $ 240 $ 255 $ 480 $ 315 $ 195 $ 425
End: Senegal Dakar Burkina Faso Ouagadougou
$ 2,270 Flights Raleigh to Nairobi Nairobi to Kigali Kigali to Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam to Cape Town Cape Town to Johannesburg Johannesburg to Ouagadougou Ouagadougou to Dakar Dakar to Raleigh
$ 1300 $ 200 $ 250 $ 400 $ 100 $ 600 $ 300 $ 1200 $ 4,350
Additional Expense International Data Plan Vaccines Travel Insurance Visas Supplies/ Equipment
$ 100 $ 490 $ 200 $ 350 $ 600 $ 1,740
Total Minimum 15 % Contingency
$ 8360 $ 1254
Total Expense
$ 9,614
Rwanda Kigali
Travel Plan
Tanzania Dar es Salaam
1. Kenya (4 days)
3. Tanzania (3 days)
Stop 1: Nairobi Nairobi provides insights into urban challenges and design interventions, including affordable housing initiatives and community-driven projects. It offers a diverse cultural landscape and a hub for NGOs and architects working on development projects.
Stop 3: Dar es Salaam Tanzania’s largest city and economic hub, offering a blend of Swahili culture, colonial architecture, and modern urban development. It provides opportunities to study waterfront revitalization projects and community-based initiatives.
- Visit Kibera, one of Africa’s largest informal settlements, to understand urban challenges and learn from the Kibera Public Space Project by Kounkuey Design Initiative. - Meet with NGOs, Slum Dwellers International and Habitat for Humanity Kenya. - Connect with local architects involved in affordable housing initiatives and community-driven projects.
2. Rwanda (3 days) Stop 2: Kigali Known for its cleanliness and urban development initiatives, Kigali offers insights into sustainable urban planning and architecture. Rwanda has witnessed remarkable progress in post-conflict reconstruction and community-driven development projects. - Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to gain insights into Rwanda’s history and its impact on urban development and reconciliation efforts. - Visit the Butaro District Hospital designed by the MASS Design Group to understand its innovative approach to healthcare architecture and community inclusive design. - Explore other various design initiatives by MASS Design Group like Kigali Public library, and Gashora Girls Academy. - Meet with local architects and NGOs.
Start: Kenya Nairobi
- Explore the historic district of Stone Town to experience Tanzania’s Swahili culture and colonial architecture. - Visit Kariakoo Market, one of the largest open-air markets in East Africa, and engage with vendors and residents to understand the socio-economic challenges. - Explore community-based initiatives in neighborhoods like Temeke and Kinondoni, where grassroots organizations are addressing local challenges such as sanitation, education, and youth empowerment.
4. South Africa (7 days)
Stop 5: Johannesburg (3 days) Johannesburg, known as the “City of Gold,” is a vibrant metropolis characterized by its dynamic urban landscape and cultural diversity. It has been a focal point for innovative design interventions and community-driven initiatives aimed at fostering social cohesion and revitalizing urban spaces. - Visit projects such as the Jeppe Park Renewal Initiative and the Inner-City Property Scheme, which aim to revitalize public spaces and improve housing conditions. - Visit Diepsloot Township, Alexandra Township, and the Inner City Regeneration Project, which are aimed at addressing the socio-economic-environmental challenges. - Meet and connect with local architects and NGO’s involved in community-driven initiatives.
South Africa Johannesburg
5. Burkina Faso (3 days)
Stop 4: Cape Town (4 days) Offers a rich blend of cultures, historical sites, and architectural diversity. It has seen significant design interventions aimed at addressing social challenges, such as informal settlements and urban renewal projects.
Stop 6: Ouagadougou Ouagadougou is known for its vibrant cultural scene, traditional architecture, and community-based initiatives. Ouagadougou offers opportunities to study indigenous building techniques, sustainable design practices, and grassroots development projects.
- Visit the District Six Museum to learn about the history of forced removals and apartheid policies on marginalized communities in Cape Town. - Visit Khayelitsha Township, one of the largest informal settlements in Cape Town. - Explore the Langa Cultural Precinct and learn about community-driven projects aimed at preserving cultural traditions and promoting economic development.
- Visit Gando primary school by Ar. Francis Kéré, which cite sustainable architecture and community empowerment. - Visit the Maison de la Femme (House of Women), a community center and vocational training facility that supports women’s economic empowerment. - Explore other projects of Ar. Francis Kere in Burkina Faso like, Centre de Santé et de Promotion Sociale, Léo Surgical Clinic & Health Center, and Lycée Schorge Secondary School.
South Africa Cape Town
6. Senegal (5 days) Stop 7: Dakar Dakar offers a rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and architectural diversity. It has been a hub for design activism and community-driven initiatives addressing urban challenges and promoting social equity. - Visit Village des Arts, a vibrant artistic
community addressing social and cultural issues through their art. - Visit Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its historical significance as a major hub of the transatlantic slave trade. - Visit Maison de la Gare, an NGO dedicated to supporting talibé children who are often coerced into begging on the streets and learn about how they provide access to education, healthcare, and vocational training for these children.