The architectural space that accommodates the marketplace programmes for the stakeholders is customized to suit their potential investment opportunities. The marketplace, in the no man’s-land, has lucrative opportunities that can boost the economies. No man’s land has no rules which limit the trading opportunity. The construction method of using the rammed earth, sun-baked earth bricks, and rocks, the material that was dug on-site, minimises the construction costs and enhance community participation. As well as to resolve other specific issues listed below: •
To link split communities
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To create a drifter’s practical central realm
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To fully develop underutilised programme opportunities within the context
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To propose shelter with the economic programme that will inspire and efficiently empower the local ordinary people
1.2 BACKGROUND
There are historic African trade centres that existed in Africa before colonisation. These trade centres include the Egyptian Pyramids, Mapungubwe, and Great Zimbabwe, among other market centres. These trade centres’ architecture shows significant influences from its geographical locations' cultural patterns, beliefs, and physical features. People used to travel across the continent and traded freely without conditions and system hindrances. In 1884 the conference held in Berlin authorised the colonisation of Africa by western countries. The Berlin conference led to the introduction of goods and human border control systems. The introduction of national boundaries without the consent of the African people negatively changed the livelihood of Africans. Ethnic groups were split by national boundaries, affecting culture and trading amongst various tribes. The mission of the Berlin conference was to ensure that each European country that claimed possession over a part of Africa must bring civilisation, in the form of Christianity, and trade to each region that it would occupy.
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