Aanewsletter january2010 eng

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Maputo - Newsletter January 2010

AFRICAN

PERSPECTIVES 2009 : E XPEDITION TO

MAPUTO

Fig 1_ Cover of African Perspectives 2009: Expedition to Maputo booklet.

News Following the African Perspectives side-event to Maputo in September 2009, we are happy to announce the launch of the booklet African Perspectives 2009: Expedition to Maputo. With the intention to explore Maputo within the theme of African Perspectives 2009: (Re)Source the City Centre a trip to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, was prepared by the Faculty of Architecture and Physical Planning in Maputo Mozambique (FAPF). Trips to various areas of the city and lectures were organized as part of the short but captivating trip. This publication serves to capture our experience and impressions of the city on the Indian Ocean and opens what we trust will be a fruitful relationship bringing many

possibilities for cooperation. The booklet can be downloaded via the ArchiAfrika website. Together with this launch, Rachel Stella Jenkins, our visual and communication manager, responsible for our newsletters and website, has spent two months in Mozambique. Therefore this month we issue a special feature on the city of Maputo, including visuals and pictures from the city Maputo to illustrate the remarkable tradition of urban designs and the creativity of the informal areas. The core contribution is focused on the question: if informality can be seen – or appreciated - as modernity. This topic was


Fig 2_ 2 Spreads taken from the booklet African Perspectives 2009: Expedition to Maputo.

discussed between Rachel and our partners from the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo: Luis Lage, Júliho Carilho, Anselmo Cani, Vecente Joaquim and João Tique. The discussion is a continuation of the debate which was held during the above mentioned visit to Maputo as part of the African Perspectives conference.

gress in Angola in 2011 and subsequently at the next UIA Congress later that year. An excellent opportunity to show the world what Africa has to offer to the architects community in the world, so make sure that Iain will be updated on your findings.

What else can we put in the Spotlight of this issue other than the work of Pancho Guedes, responsible for a large production of amazing architecture in Mozambique. In September 2007 an exhibition on his oeuvre was opened in the Swiss Architecture Museum in Basel. Since then the exhibition has been travelling around the world and amongst others shown in South Africa and Portugal. But for those who missed this, we found an alternative.

Within the organization of ArchiAfrika, a lot is happening. Whilst starting the preparations for the African Perspectives conference in Casablanca in 2011, other works are underway. In the next newsletter we aim to inform you further on this. First enjoy this issue, but be on the lookout for the next one!

In this newsletter you will also find a call from Iain Low, editor of the Digest of African Architecture. Iain is in search of significant buildings which will be built and realized by 2010 for a special issue of the Digest commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the African Union of Architects. This issue will be presented at the AUA Con-



Maputo is rich in architectural heritage, walking around the ‘concrete city’ is like walking around an open-air museum. Pattern, symmetry and bold shapes can be found in the Modernist and Art Deco relics strewn across the city. The selection of pictures shown were taken while walking around the streets of Maputo. This and Previous page, photography by Rachel Stella Jenkins


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Images taken from Faculty of Architecture and Physical Planning image bank.

1 _ Royal Netherlands Embassy (photo B. vd Lans, Archiafrika) 2_ Santo Antonio da Polana church 3 _ Santo Antonio da Polana church 4 _ Radio Moรงambique headquarters 5 _ National Museum of Money 6_ Hotel Tivoli

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Fig 1_ Informal dwelling, Maputo. (Image taken from Traditional Informal Settlements in Mozambique: from Lichinga to Maputo (2004) FAPF, Maputo).

Report Is Informality Modernity? By Rachel Stella Jenkins

In accompaniment to the launch of the book: AFRICAN PERFSPECTIVES 2009: EXPEDITION TO MAPUTO. An open discussion circa the subtopic of the book; Modernity and Informality, was held at the Faculty of Architecture and Physical Planning (FAPF) at the University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) in Maputo, Mozambique on Friday 15 January 2010. Present at the round-table discussion were: Luís Lage, PhD (Director of the FAPF and Lecturer), Júliho Carilho, PhD (Lecturer and Researcher at the FAPF), Anselmo Cani (Lecturer and Deputy Director for Academic Affairs), Vicente Joaquim (Lecturer and Deputy Director for Administration), João Tique, PhD (Lecturer and Deputy Director of Research at the FAPF). Mozambique’s overall population is estimated to be 22.635 million in 2010. The current 38% urban dwellers are expected to rise to 54% (31.117 million) by 2030. In 2003 it was estimated that 94% of households were in slums. Presently, by estimation of Professor Paul Jenkins (School of Architecture, Edinburgh College of Art & School of the Built Environment, Heriot Watt University), the informal sector (informal access to land, informal dwellings and informal access to services) makes up 80%. Below is a selection of quotes made during the discussion giving an insight into the issue of informality and formality in Maputo. Is informality modernity? And vice-versa modernity informality? How are the concepts of informality and modernity defined in the Mozambican context? Can our cities be directly designed and transformed by their inhabitants? What would be the value of this? And lastly, what are the key concepts for the construction of the habitat of the 21st century Maputo city?

· Not only in Mozambique, throughout Africa, populations are rapidly urbanising. New ways of living and making cities are needed. True knowledge of the African context is needed to change the reality of cities without apparent character and proper organization to a reality with character, organization and dignity. · The transformation and appropriation process being undertaken in the city is based on the way people live: their culture, knowledge and reality. This needs to be taken into account, and used as a guide when looking to the future. When we talk of our city, this transformation process should be our model, it is what is happening now, and what is happening now will indisputably impact the future. · Eighty to ninety percent of cities are being built informally in Africa and in other developing countries due to the big discrepancies faced - we are talking of big urban developments in countries with immense demographic growth. This ‘popular’ architecture is adaptive as it is directly influenced by tradition, acquisition of materials, construction techniques, construction solutions and largely by economical reasons. At first glance it is simply a ‘domestic’ architecture but within itself a framework is created. By aggregation of family units bigger communities are created, this territory is organically organized within an urban context and we need to recognize this framework of ‘popular’ modern architecture because that is what is happening and will continue happen. · The informal belt circulating the city suggests a contemporary way of making cities with existing conditions by its proper inhabitants. It is a space where an interception between peoples past references, tradition, are confronted with ideas of modernity and modern realities.


· There lies a question in the separation of informality and tradition. What makes a society survive is innovation and the tendency to move ahead, as such there has always been some considerations and manifestation of modernity even if they may be considered as traditional today. As the world moves and changes around us we need to recognize and understand these new values. There is a great lack of research and literature addressing informality and creating a distinction between informality and tradition.

· Faced with the situation we are in, the process of transformation should be considered as part of the city. The informal assimilated to become formal. We cannot build Maputo, with all necessary basics, with only 4USD per person. If opportunities are not given to the people, they will create their own opportunities. The future is insecure, therefore as the urban population becomes evermore larger the recognition of the informal must become an integral part of urban-

· There is an internal organization that is based on necessities. Planners divide space and organize territories, architects design and build houses, the majority of the built environment within the city however, is built by non-professionals. It is built by the population themselves. An apparent grid is visible, however within the islands of the grid an internal organization and planning occurs. We should not close our eyes to this. We should study the process in order to be able to learn how we can offer a significant influence and intervene positively. Why should we not plan an informal market? Correspond with what reality needs. · Time is an issue in our exploding world. Things happen so fast. We need more adequate methods for collecting, receiving and reacting to what is relevant in our new societies. What is the face of modernity? Or informality? New analysis is needed of these two terms. As we do not have a good understanding of how people live and create, our methodology for planning is not fitting with the flow of what is happening and the search for solutions to the problems affronted. By the time it takes us 5 – 6 months to investigate a particular problem and its dynamics, then 5-6 months to implement the intervention, the situation is over. · Urbanism happens everywhere. And for this reason we need to be careful in recognising this process as a ‘characteristic’ or ‘identity’. Despite the implicit elements confronted within the city this, at the end of the day, is a reality. We need to look at what is necessary, and not be satisfied with what is happening. We must be able to look ahead and putting things in place. The informal needs, to some degree, to be regulated.

‘The majority of occupied plots are illegal, not only in terms of documentation, but also in terms of use of the plots. The tenants are not even aware of their legal rights, least of all, of existing mechanisms to consolidate these rights. In general, the only documentation in their possession is devoid of any legal value. Despite the insecurity that stems from this situation, the owners are still building permanent houses with “modern”materials. In this way the “city of reed huts” has hardened, so to speak, and become a reality that cannot be ignored within the urban landscape and that grows and spreads in a physical and psychological net of new values and relationships, from which a new and peculiar urban culture of Maputo emerges.’ Extract taken from Traditional Informal Settlements in Mozambique: from Lichinga to Maputo. (2004) FAPF, Maputo.

“A house without a verandah is like a face without a nose” Informal dwellings found in the outskirts of Maputo. Photos and Study by Luís Lage.


Colourful paint paintings ings of services and commodities offered from the various dwellings and small businesses decorate the walls of the informal districts. Air-time, Alchoholic beverages, washing powder, car parts , construction materials are a few of the examples including hair salons and barber shops as seen in the image above. Photo by Rachel Stella Jenkins.


Smiling Lion (Maputo), Architect Pancho Guedes Photos by Berend van der Lans, 2009

In the Spotlight Mozambique is rich in architecture, that is clear when visiting the country and in particularly Maputo. Responsible for the most amazing work no doubt is Pancho Guedes, who produced a large number of outstanding buildings in his long life. As mentioned in the introduction, an exhibition has been travelling around the world, to make his work more widely available. Even earlier, Cedric Green took the challenge to launch a website specifically on the work of Pancho Guedes. This website give you a introduction on his work, not only as an architect, but also as a painter and sculptor. The publication ‘Viva Pancho’ is available in pdf format via the site. Be amazed by Guedes’ work via http://www.guedes.info .


Agenda

Acquisitions Granted by FAPF (Architecture & Physical Planning Faculty, University of Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo) Júlio Carrilho, Sandro Bruschi, Carlos Menezes, Luís Lage (2004) Traditional Informal Settlements in Mozambique: from Lichinga to Maputo. FAPF, Maputo. Granted by Antoni Folkers Ng�g� wa Thiong’o (1981) Detained: A writer’s prison diary. Heinemann Kenya Ltd, Nairobi in association with Heinemann Educational Books Ltd, London. Fariba de Bruin-Dearkhshani, Barbara Murray (Eds) (2009). Prince Claus Awards 2009 - Culture & Nature. The Prince Claus Fund, Amsterdam. Fariba de Bruin-Dearkhshani, Barbara Murray (Eds) (2007) Prince Claus Awards 2007 - Culture & Conflict. The Prince Claus Fund, Amsterdam. Gisella Pierre-Nina Leach. Africa my Life/ Children of the World/ MR Sykes Monkey. [Years of publishing & publisher unknown]. Reinhard Künkel (2005) Ngorongoro. Leo Press, Arusha. Mr. G. H. Shelswell-White, Mr. J. O’Brien, Sir John Gray, Mr. H. L. Renwick (1952) Zanzibar. Government Printer, Zanzibar. Granted by Livin Mosha Livin Mosha (2005) Architecture and Policies: The Transformation of Rural Dwelling Compounds and the Impact of Ujamaa Villagisation and the Nyumba Bora Housing Compaign in Missungwi – Tanzania (Thesis submitted as partial fulfilment for the degree of Doctorate in Applied Sciences: Architecture) (Promoters: Prof. dr. Han VERSCHURE and Prof. dr. Albert MARTENS). Katholieke Universiteit Leuven – Faculteit Toegepaste Wetenschappen, Heverlee, Belgium. Purchased by ArchiAfrika at ICOMOS Wilfred Thesiger (1964) Title: The Marsh Arabs. Publisher: Penguin Group, London. Karin Bautz, Giselher Blesse, mit Beiträgen von Katja Geisenhaner und Christine Seige (1999). Die Vergessene Expedition: Auf den Spuren de Leipziger Moçambique-Expedition von 1931 Spannaus/ Stülpner (1931). Museum für Völkerkunde, Leipzig. Serena Chiatti, Leonardo Crocilli, Cidis (2000) De bomen van Afrika: Verhalen en legenden uit de Sahel. Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen, Amsterdam – Novib, ’s-Gravenhage Frederick Franck (1962) African Sketch book. Peter Davies Ltd., London.

25 February 2010 Urban Ecology Seminar, African Centre for Cities, South Africa 28 - 30 April 2010 International Regional Conference on Sustainable Construction. Revitalisation and Rehabilitation of Districts, Spain 19 - 27 August 2010 11th International Docomomo Conference - Living in the Urban Modernity, Mexico

Colofon Text Rachel Stella Jenkins Berend van der Lans Design Rachel Stella Jenkins Editing Berend van der Lans Translation Anne-Marie van den Nieuwenhof-Damishimiro FONDATION SHIMIRO, Pointe-Noire, Congo Elisabeth Bastemeijer

Supported by ArchiAfrika receives support from the following institutes and organisations: Stichting Doen Delft University of Technology De Twee Snoeken Automatisering FBW Architecten bkvdl Dioraphte Foundation

ArchiAfrika

P.O. box 14174 3508 SG Utrecht Netherlands tel +31 (0)30 223 23 20 fax +31 (0)30 251 82 78 www.archiafrika.org


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                                                      

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 


AUA | 30 Cher architecte Africain / designer, Le ‘Digest of African Architecture’ (magazine au sujet de l’architecture Africaine) est à la recherche de projets pour son édition spéciale en honneur de la célébration du trentième anniversaire de ‘l’AUA | African Union of Architects’ (Union Africaine d’architectes). L’édition spéciale sera distribuée à Luanda en Uganda lors du prochain congres AUA en 2011, et ensuite au stand Africain du congres UIA à Tokyo qui aura lieu pendant la même année. Nous vous invitons par la présente, à nous envoyer des informations sur des bâtiments, qui à vos yeux ont le profil pour être inclus dans la publication. Le but de ce journal étant d’améliorer la position de l’architecture localement produite dans le débat architectural mondial, nous vous invitons à nous remettre les projets architecturaux (5 maximum) que 15 janvier Mars 2010 vous considérez comme les meilleurs d’Afrique le plus vite possible et de préférence avant le 15 2010. Le format de l’édition spéciale sera comparable à celui du ‘Digest of South African Architecture’ publié en 2008, et inclura entre autres des articles critiques et des reportages photos. Nous avons besoin des informations suivantes au sujet du cabinet d’architecture, et nous vous serions très reconnaissants si vous pouvez nous donner les renseignements suivants pour chaque bâtiment qui a été construit et finit avant la fin de l’année 2010 : NOM & ADRESSE COURRIEL DU NOMINATEUR : NOM PROJET / DATE / LIEU

NOM ARCHITECTE & COURRIEL

IMAGE À BASSE RÉSOLUTION

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. Plus d’informations, si disponible : Description du projet : Nom du cabinet d’ architecture : Adresse du cabinet d’architecture : Numéro téléphone du cabinet d’architecture : Numéro faxe du cabinet d’architecture : Nom du contact principal du cabinet d’architecture : Courriel du contact principal : Adresse web du cabinet d’architecture :

Bâtiment / Nom du projet : Nom du Client : Date de départ du projet : Date de la fin du projet : Ville : Etat / Région : Pays :

Quelques images à basse résolution (+\ - 200k) du projet, avec appellation précise n’hésitez surtout pas à nous joindre si vous avez besoin de plus d’informations / nous nous réjouissons à avoir de vos nouvelles / salutations et merci beaucoup,

Iain Low / Editeur Tel + 27 (0) 21650 2371/4

Digest of African Architecture : AUA/30 courriel : ebe-digest@uct.ac.za


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