INFORM:ALL
INFORM:ALL
DESIGNING A NEW RESOURCE CENTRE IN OBUNGA, KISUMU
Klara Sjรถgren Holtz & Nicolas Berenbach Reality Studio - Chalmers University 2018
This report describes the project Inform:all - Designing a new resource center in Obunga, Kisumu. The project was made during spring 2018 by two master students in architecture within the course Reality Studio at Chalmers university of technology in Sweden. The project is based on the findings of a 7 week field study in Kisumu, Kenya that took place during the course.
THANKS This project was made possible through contributions from many generous persons. We want to thank them for their help throughout the process and for sharing their ideas and time with us. A special thanks to Daniel who had patience with all our questions and presented us to the Obunga community and Maxwell who encourgaded us and helped us find the right path. Thanks to Michael contributing with the local academic perspective. We also want to thank the ORA resource center task force and the women representatives of the ORA, especially Roslyn, Beatrice, Jescah, Lilian, Joshua and Bernard. We also want to mention our tutors Catarina, Andreas, Maria and Reija as well as Siddu and the great reality studio student group, it has been a pleasure to learn from and with you. Last we want to thank the staff at Sooper for making the guesthouse a warm and welcoming place to come home to.
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TABLE OF CONTENT INTRODUCTION 7
PROPOSAL 48
PREAMABLE 8 GLOSSARY 8 PERSONAL BACKGROUND 9
EXAMPLE SITES 49 DESIGN CONCEPT 50 PROGRAM & GROWTH CONCEPT 52 PROCESS CONCEPT 53 MODULES 54 SITE: SMALL 58 SITE: MEDIUM 61 SITE: LARGE 66 DESIGN ELEMENTS 71 BUILDING KNOWLEDGE 72 MATERIALS 74 REFERENCE PROJECT: Pavilions for Okana 75 USER SCENARIOS 76
ANALYSIS 10 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: SLUM UPGRADING 11 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: GENDER 13 PROJECT CONTEXT 15 SPATIAL ANALYSIS: OBUNGA 18 ACTORS MAP 24 COLLABORATORS 25 THE RESOURCE CENTER TODAY 26 SWOT ANALYSIS: OBUNGA 29
FRAME & DEFINITION 30 PROBLEM AREA DEFINITION 31 PROJECT FORMULATION 32 TIMELINE 34 ZOOM IN 36 WORKSHOP: RESOURCE CENTRE TASK FORCE 39 WORKSHOP: WOMEN FROM THE COMMUNITY 40 DESIGN CRITERIA 41 THE RESOURCE CENTER IN THE FUTURE 43 SITE PICKING GUIDELINES 44 SUPPORT TO SITE PICKING 46
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CONCLUSION 78 RIPPLE EFFECTS 79 REFLECTION 80 CONCLUSION 81 REFERENCES 82
INTRODUCTION
PREAMABLE
GLOSSARY
Inform:All The Inform:all project is based on the will to design a new resource center in the informal settlement of Obunga. The idea of a resource center comes from the need to decrease marginalisation of people living in informal settlements through improving access to information and strengthen links with external stakeholders. The process was initiated in 2013 by the NGO Grassroots through the Obunga Residents Association (ORA). The present resource center is to small for the activities it houses and offers no possibility to be expanded. The question of gender equality is a big issue in Obunga today and the current center has a majority of male users. Therefore we wanted to focus on making the new design gender inclusive. We did not have any specific site to work with so we decided to think of a concept which would be applicable in any future given site. That is why
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we opted for having a modular system which offers flexibility in terms of program and space but also allows for expansion over time. The project is developed for the context of Obunga but designed in a way that allows implementation in other informal settlements. A bigger resource center could accomodate a larger diversity of activities and ease the access to knowledge for more people. In this way, the inhabitants are given tools to improve their standard of living and the community is given a platform to unify and strengthen their voice as development agent. In the design we wanted to incorporate different ways of building and affordable and low-tech solutions to inspire improvement of the built environment of Obunga. During this process our main collaborators were the resource center manager Daniel Anyeko, ORA resource center task force, women representatives of the ORA and Maxwell Otieno from Grassroots.
Bodaboda NGO
Bike or motorbike taxi Non Governmental Organisation
CBO
Community based organisation
ORA
Obunga Residents association
Maram
Local word for earth as building material
Mabati
Local word for corrugated metal sheets
PERSONAL BACKGROUND On our first visit in Obunga during our first week in Kisumu the residents association recieved us in the resource centre. We saw how the centre was used by people stopping by to use the services and have a chat, but also as a platform for collaborations such as the one with Reality studio. We got presented to the idea of a new resource centre by the chairman of the ORA, and saw the potenital of the resource centre. We imagined how the initiative could have bigger impact on the community with more appropriate facilities. The centre has a potential to empower both on an individual and collective level, and can provide the area with needed public space. As we dived into the project, we soon realized that the gender perspective was a key aspect to make a future centre well functioning. Through this project we hope to contribute to bringing the idea of a new resource centre one step closer to realisation.
Nicolas Berenbach Architecture student France
Klara Sjรถgren Holtz Architecture student Sweden
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ANALYSIS
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: SLUM UPGRADING INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS Today over half of the world’s urban population lives in informal settlements, and the number is growning due to the rapid urbanisation. Inhabitants experience different degrees of social-spatial exclusion, where they are unable to acess facilities and resources that give them opportunities to improve their living conditions. Informal settlements are defined by UN-habitat (2015) as areas where the inhabitants lack some or all of the following: • Basic services • City infrastructure • Adequate housing according to building regulations and plans • Security of tenure • Public space and greens
The informal settlement of Obunga, Kisumu
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KENYA SLUM UPGRADING PROGRAM (KENSUP) In Kenya 56% of the urban population live in informal settlements. Since 2004 Kenya Slum Upgrading Program (KENSUP) has worked towards an improvement of the living conditions in the informal settlements. But there are a lot of challenges in the slum upgrading process. Slum upgrading where the inhabitants of the informal settlements get no choice but being displaced to newly built formal housing has recieved a lot of critisism. The newly built “affordable� housing is not so affordable for the inhabitants of the informal settlements, resulting in subletting of the apartments and the people who was given the lease staying in the slum. An example of this being the KENSUP upgrading where the population of the Soweto area in Kibera was displaced to a newly built adjacent area. Voices are raised for a bottom up approach on slum upgrading. To empower inhabitants of informal settlements as development agents in order to start an incremental change on grassroot level (Hamdi).
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Slum upgrading in Kibera by KENSUP
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: GENDER WOMEN IN KENYA Although the new constitution of 2010 in Kenya gives an improved framework for adressing gender issues (the world bank ranked Kenya first of the sub-saharan countries in promoting gender equality through legislation), the inequalities are still present in the everyday life: • Women have less acess to education • Women have a more vunerable financial situation • Even though 80% of the Kenyan women are engaged in small scale farming, only 1% own their own land and cultural practices around acquisition favours men • Women are exposed to gender-based violence such as rape and sexual harrasment and their acess to the justice system is limited by financial and cultural reasons • Women are more exposed to some health risks, for example affected by HIV/AIDS to a larger extent than men • Women have less influence over decision making on all levels (UN Women)
Workshop with women representatives of the ORA
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WOMEN IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR GENDER INCLUSION
Women are more exposed to some of the risks and negative consequenses from the vunerable conditions of the informal settlements. For example the lack of adequate infrastructure increasing the risk of assaults when performing daily duties or traveling to/from work. This can in turn lead to restrained access to facilities and services. Unpaid domestic labour is also rarely taken into consideration when planning and managing cities. UN-habitat (2012) notes that:
UN-habitat has formulated several strategies for gender inclusive urban design in Gender issue guide- Urban planning and design (2012). We have chosen to work with some of them that are useful in our case:
“Urban planning and design largely ignores gender-specific experiences, needs, and concerns, particularly with respect to poor women and girls” The exclusion of women and girls result in exclusion from key aspects in the daily life in the cities, such as decision making, security of tenure and right to own land, employment and equal wages, safety, education, child care and health services.
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• Ensure that objectives and goals are relevant to both women and men • Engage low-income women and men as partners in planning research and implementation, especially in their neighbourhoods. Any planning initiatives on slums or informal settlements must directly consult women and girls living in these communities, not only community leaders, who are usually men • Building partnerships between women and men to ensure both participate fully in society’s development and benefit equally from society’s resources • Inclusion of mixed uses – many places to hang out, walk, play, eat, exercise, etc. for diverse user groups at different times of day • Provisions for young children and the elderly (because women are often caretakers)
PROJECT CONTEXT BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO KISUMU, KENYA The city of Kisumu is situated in the West of Kenya on lake Victoria and near the border to Tanzania and Uganda. It’s 500.000 inhabitants make the third biggest city in Kenya behind Nairobi and Mombasa. It’s name comes from the Luo “Kisumo” which means “a place to find food”. The port was founded in 1901 as a train terminal for the Uganda Railway coming from Mombasa linking the Indian sea and lake Victoria. Kisumu became a turning table for the business coming from Mombasa but also all commerce going on between the different countries surrounding lake Victoria. Kisumu is today one of the fastest growing cities in Kenya. About 60% of Kisumu’s population live in slums, which is a result of rapid urbanisation, the high cost of living, the stagnating economy and the Municipal Council of Kisumu ́s (MCK) slow reaction to slum formation (it has instead focused on the city’s planned areas). The slums in Kisumu are located on the urban fringes of the city in rural-like settings and largely function as a pool of cheap labour for the rest of the city. The city has one of the highest incidences of food poverty in Kenya as 53% of the total city population experience it (the Nairobi figure is 8%) (UN-Habitat, 2006).
SUDAN
ETHIOPIA
SOMALIA
UGANDA
KENYA
Kisumu Lake Victoria
Nairobi
INDIAN OCEAN
TANZANIA
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OBUNGAHiSTORY & DEMOGRAPHIC The project is situated in the informal settlement of Obunga. It is located in the North of the city right above the Bypass highway and neighbouring the Kondele area as well as the Kisumu industrial area. Do to its position at the edge of the city it has space to grow towards the North. The fact that the Bypass highway was built on the southern border of Obunga also gives it a certain attractivity for business and housing due to the importance of traffic it generates. Obunga has a population of around 20.000 inhabitants and continues togrow rapidly due to the large number of people coming from the surrounding villages and hoping to get a better life in the city. Parents often come to the city from the country side so that their children can have basic education. But once they get there, it is not easy getting a stable job as most of the population lack higher education.
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The informal settlement is self organized into 5 zones: Central 1, Central 2, Kamakowa, Segasega and Kasarani. Each zone has its own chief which is responsible for keeping things in order and solving neighborhood issues. An important part of the representation and dialogue from the residents to the county government is done through the Obunga Resident Association (ORA). The ORA is a community based organisation bringing together community groups and individuals with a goal towards development of Obunga community. The association implements its programmes through issue based task forces such as Solid waste management, Water and sanitation, Urban Agriculture, Energy, Drainages, Child Rights, Women, Economic empowerment, Health, Education, Resource and Information Center Disaster management and Youth among others.
Obunga faces many of the issues you can find in a slum. Bad sanitation, lack of infrastructure such as a road network, a scarce and unequal supply of water and electricity, unequal access to education and poor living conditions are some of the main issues. But the city of Kisumu is presently undertaking some work to offer a better road network as well as some sewage infrastructure along the main roads in Obunga.
OBUNGA SEGASEGA KASARANI
CENTRAL 2 CENTRAL 1 KAMAKOWA
KISUMU CENTER
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SPATIAL ANALYSIS: OBUNGA Road network
Major arteries usable by larger vehicles
Small roads usable by bodaboda and pedestrians
Obunga’s road network was until recently in very bad shape. All of the roads are made of dirt. Recently the county government has started a slum upgrading program to improve access to the slums as well as some basic infrastructure. There is one main road, Pamba road, that links Obunga Junction with the road going to Kakamega. There are 3-4 other major arteries inside of Obunga that are between 4 and 6 meters wide and can provide access to bigger sized vehicles. Apart from the entry points offered by Pamba road there is another one along the Bypass highway. The rest of Obunga’s circulation is done on small paths of dirt and stones mostly used by pedestrians.
Small paths of dirt mostly used by pedestrians
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Infrastructure - Water, electricity, sanitation Due to a severe lack of infrastructure, access to the basic amenities is not common in Obunga. The households are rarely linked the water or electricity network. To have access to water the residents have to go and buy it from water vendors or at water points. For electricity, some dwellers are linked to the network, some are “pumping� illegally from the network and others are getting it through other residents. Sanitation poses also a big problem because households are not usually linked to sewage and evacuation of grey water. The grey water is disposed outside the house and contributes to the spreading of diseases. Through the slum upgrading program, some water sewage system is being put into place on the major roads of Obunga.
No connection to the water network
No connection to the electric network
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Density pedestrian traffic in Obunga
Density of pedestrian traďŹƒc High Medium Low Density of constructions High Medium Low
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Ch
Suggested zones for a future Resource centre Main entrances to Obunga Public access buildings Ch
Church
S
School
C
Community
Shops Previously suggested sites SCALE 1:10 000
OBUNGA
Land ownership The land ownership of Obunga is a complex issue. Most of the land is owned by private owners that rent out the piece of land or the construction to tenants. This means that many people that live there do not own their dwelling which leaves them in a vulnerable situation. In the case of the road reserve on the side of the Bypass, it is left free for informal constructions but if the government wants to do an enlargement of the road or simply install other infrastructure the people living there have to leave ether moving the construction or bringing it down. This leaves some residents in a very precarious situation, living with the risk of being displaced.
Land owned by the people living there
Land rented by the people living there
Land owned by government, corporation, etc.
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Building typologies
Traditional constructions
Built with metal sheets
Brick or concrete constructions
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The typology of the dwellings in Obunga differs immensely between the different households. It goes from metal sheet houses to concrete apartment building. Most of the constructions being on land not self-owned or the price of construction permit being to high, many of them are built informally. The materials and building techniques used are not always resulting in durable constructions. The majority of these buildings are done either with metal sheets or in the traditional way with wood and earth. A small part of the buildings are made of concrete or concrete blocks. Most of the constructions comprise of quite small one storey dwellings, then we can find some larger structures that house either churches, schools or community buildings.
Building density in Obunga
Density of pedestrian traďŹƒc High Medium Low Density of constructions High Medium Low
Ch
Suggested zones for a future Resource centre Main entrances to Obunga Public access buildings Ch
Church
S
School
C
Community
Shops Previously suggested sites SCALE 1:10 000
OBUNGA
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ACTORS MAP KISUMU LOCAL INTERACTION PLATFORM (KLIP)
ACADEMIA MASENO UNIVERISTY CHALMERS UNIVERSITY
REALITY STUDIO
OBUNGA RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION TASK FORCES: (ORA) WATER & SANITATION SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT WOMEN EMPOWERMENT URBAN AGRICULTURE DRAINAGE ENERGY CHILD RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS HEALTH
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STATE AUTHORITIES COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Michael Oloko (Professor JOOUST)
JOOUST UNIVERSITY
INFORM:ALL PROJECT Klara & Nicolas
KENYAN STATE
GRASSROOTS (NGO)
OBUNGA RESOURCE CENTRE Daniel Ayieko (Manager Obunga Resource center) BOARD
RESOURCE CENTER TASK FORCE: MEMBERS REPREDaniel SENTING THE FIVE Lawrence ZONES: Roslyn Central 1 Beatrice Central 2 Lilian Kasarani Joshua Segasega Bernard Kamakowa
Maxwell Otieno (Planner GRASSROOTS)
INHABITANTS WITH DIFFERENTS GENDERS, AGES & OCCUPATIONS
OBUNGA COMMUNITY CHURCHES
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANISATIONS (CBO)
COLLABORATORS
Daniel Ayieko Manager, Obunga resource center
Maxwell Otieno Planner, GRASSROOTS
Beatrice, Roslyn, Lilian & Jescah Obunga Residents Assocation
The resource center project in Obunga was initiated 2013 by Grassroots and opened its doors in 2014. Since then Daniel has been managing the facilities. The idea of the project is to bring information acess to the informal settlements and offer training in technology. Similar centers have been initiated in Manyatta and Nyalenda, other informal settlements in Kisumu.
Grassroots trust for community organisation is an NGO working to facilitate empowerment and transformation of urban and rural poor. They are working with community organisation, capacity enhancement and information access to influence development processes and policy making.
The Obunga community is organised through a CBO called Obunga residents association, working for a positive development in the local community. The members represent the five zones of Obunga and hold weekly meetings discussing current topics. The ORA is organised through task forces managing different areas such as solid waste or health.
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THE RESOURCE CENTER TODAY NGO GRASSROOTS Development ideas
ACADEMIA JOOUST MASENO CHALMERS
Organisational support Funding
Time to visit Small payment for services Empowerment in technology
Research ďŹ ndings
OBUNGA RESOURCE CENTRE
Reserach base
Community information Educational training
COUNTY/ STATE
Meeting facilities
Electing management
OBUNGA RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
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Organisational support Information channel
OBUNGA RESIDENTS
RESOURCE CENTER: INVENTORY The center is in a rented space that was formerly used as a bar. The indoor space is a single room of around 35 sqm with shaded outdoor space in front. The outdoor space is used, except for a tailor who has her business there daytime. It has a, usually locked, backdoor leading to a courtyard shared with adjacent residential buildings. There is a pit toilet in the backyard. It is currently housing: • 9 desktop computers • Bookshelves • Photocopier and printer • Small meeting table
Obunga resource center seen from the street
Court yard Back door Bookshelf Managers desk Printing/ copying Entrance
Inside Obunga resource center
Street
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Different activities offered by the center
Printing/copying Getting informed
Education / training
Using computer
Attending meetings Watching TV
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Socializing
SWOT ANALYSIS: OBUNGA STRENGHTS
WEAKNESSES
• Organised through the residents association • Relatively low density enables future public space • Access to information through the existing resource centre
• Low income levels • High unemployment • Low trust in government/authorities • Poor sanitation • Health problems • Inaccessability due to underdeveloped road network • Gender inequalities
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
• Ongoing collaborations with universities such as JOOUST and Chalmers • NGOs active in the area
• Dicplacement resulting from gentrification and evictions due to development of infrastructure.
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FRAME & DEFINITION
PROBLEM AREA DEFINITION OBUNGA PROBLEM FIELD
RESOURCE CENTER PROBLEM FIELD
HEALTH ISSUES
GENDER INEQUALITIES
POOR SANITATION
LOW INCOME LEVELS LACK OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION
LEISURE IS OCCUPYING COMPUTERS THAT COULD BE USED FOR TRAINING
LIMITED FINANCIAL ASSETS
HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT
LOW TRUST IN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES
LACKING ADEQUATE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
CRAMMED WOMEN USING IT LESS THAN LACKING DESIRED FUNCTIONS
PROBLEM FOCUS UGRENT PROBLEM
SECURITY
PROBLEM WITH FAR REACHING CONSEQUENSES STRONG CONNECTION WEAKER CONNECTION
UNCERTAIN POSITION AS TENANTS
CHARGING RISK EXCLUDING THE POOR POPULA-
NOT REACHING AS MANY AS DESIRED
SINGLE LOCATION IN A BIG AREA LIMITS ACESSABILITY
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PROJECT FORMULATION Aims • To empower individuals and community as a whole as development agents • To promote gender equality in the use of the facilities as a starting point for incremental change in the community
Immediate Goals • Get information and offer knowledge and technological resources to the residents of Obunga • Create a platform for knowledge sharing between different stakeholders which the community feel ownership over • Offer a community space for social interaction in an area with lack of public space • Provide a space that reciprocates with the everyday life of women and girls in Obunga, to enhance and create possilibilites for change towards gender equality.
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Delimitation
Method reflection
We have chosen to focus our pre-study to Obunga since that is where we got presented to it, where we could use the existing network of Reality studio and because the local stakeholders feel ownership of the idea. Since they shared time and knowledge very geneoursly we wanted the final product to be applicable in their local context.
When we first started the project we focused on finding a potential site for the new center. However this turned out to be a complex matter where the land owning, physical conditions and social structures of the informal settlement made it hard for us with the limited time and knowledge to find the approperiate site. Instead we focused on defining site picking guidelines to support searching for a site.
We also aim for the design concept to be useable elsewhere. For example in Manyatta and Nyalenda where GRASSROOTS have initiated similar centers as the one in Obunga who have similiar community organisations to the ORA. But we also see how it can be applicable in other informal settlements globally with adaptions to the local context. Even though the living conditions of the informal settlements differ largely, marginalisation and scarce resources are common features.
Even though the concept is adaptable to different sites, we choose to show it applied on three example sites. The sites are made-up to represent different conditions corresponding to the site-picking guidelines. This is a way to show how the design concept can be used in different ways depending on site conditions.
holders, feedback sessions with smaller groups. The focus has been on representatives from the community but to get different perspectives on the issues, we have alsohad collaborators from GRASSROOTS NGO and JOOUST university. After some meetings in mixed groups, we wanted to meet the women separately. Those meetings made us understand some problems from a different perspective and was crucial for adressing the gender issue in the final design.
To explore the context we used several methods, workshops with bigger groups, walks in Obunga with stake-
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TIMELINE TIMELINE OF THE PROCESS AS A WHOLE
Adaption of Facilitating design to new building conditions process
Reality studio project Inform:all
GRASSROOTS intiates the resource center project in Obunga
The resource center stakehold- Updates and ideas are shared ers recieves Inform:all report Creating wordpress site for visibility
Opening of the Obunga resource center
2013
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2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Search for site intensifies Search for funding is starting
Site and initial Building funding is first found stage Incremental development
Inform:all PROJECT TIMELINE
01.03.18 Arrival in Kisumu
07.03.18 12.03.18 First visit First in meeting Obunga
19.03.18 Workshop: Resource center task force & Meeting: Maxwell
14.03.18 Walk & Talk: Daniel
27.03.18 Workshop: Women representatives from ORA
30.03.18 Meeting: Michael
22.03.18 Poster survey
25.05.18 01.06.18 Final Sending Presentation Report back to Kisumu
16.04.18 Back in Gothenburg
05.04.18 Feedback Sessions
09.04.18 Exhibition
29.03.18 Walk & Talk: Maxwell
Send back! Trying to understand the context and choose a project
Discarding the idea of multiple resource centers
Defining the project
Choosing to focus on the gender aspect
Choosing to including childrens activities in the center
Learning about the troubles with the suggested sites
Deciding to work with a general design concept rather than site specific
workwork workwork work
Refining ideas
Feedback! Delimitation: Choosing to not focus on funding and financial model
Develop design
Rework
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ZOOM IN
WHO? With Daniel Anyeko, Mr Lawrence and Joshua WHERE? Resource center WHEN? 12.03.18
WHO? With Daniel Anyeko WHERE? Obunga WHEN? 14.03.18
WHO? Maxwell Otieno WHERE? Sooper Guesthouse WHEN? 19.03.18
FIRST MEETING We met with them to have a better understanding of what was needed in the frame of the resource center and it’s future development. Also to try to understand how it is currently working and the issues they were coming against.
WALK & TALK: DANIEL During a morning walk with Daniel we visited sites in each of the 5 zones in Obunga, that the RA had in mind as a potential locations for the future resource centre. We were discussing different structures for ownership and the conditions of the different sites. Even if an aproperiate site was not found, we gained valuable knowledge about the characteristics of the zones and an overview of Obunga as a whole through Daniel and the people we met.
MEETING WITH MAXWELL Through this meeting we learned more about the resource center, its origins and all the actors that are involved. We got a more global point of view on the situation which in result enabled us to know better our possibilities in terms of the project concept and the site. This meeting led us to question our project more subjectivly and enabled us to have a better idea in which direction to go.
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WHO? Visitors in the resource center WHERE? The resource centre WHEN? 22.03.18
WHO? Maxwell WHERE? Obunga WHEN? 29.03.18
WHO? Maxwell and ORA groups WHERE? Sooper Guesthouse WHEN? 05.04.18
POSTER SURVEY Our hope with this survey was to see the activities done in the present resource center and what was wished of a future one. To that we added the differentiation of gender and age group. In some way, the results showed the gender and age distribution of the users and their main priorities, but since we weren’t present the whole time we don’t know which groups had a high rate of answering and who hadn’t.
WALK & TALK: MAXWELL We had a walk with Maxwell on the main roads of Obunga to visit places that we hadn’t seen before and talk about the issues of the area. We also saw the different areas that would be good for the new resource center and the activities that were on these roads. We got a different point of view on some aspects of the site search and the actual viability of the first suggested sites.
FEEDBACK SESSIONS With these feedback sessions, we wanted to inform the different actors and people concerned by the project of what we had done so far and in what way the design was going. We presented the project in it’s different aspects and in the different levels of detail. We also wanted to get some feedback from the different groups on what they thought was good and what maybe needed to be changed or if they had any new ideas we could implement.
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WHO? Professor Michael Oloko WHERE? Sooper guesthouse WHEN? 30.03.18
WHO? Visitors in the resource centre WHERE? The resource centre WHEN? 09.04.18
MEETING: MICHAEL This meeting was an opportunity to get a better understanding of how the academia was involved in the project in the past and now but also what they envisioned for a future resource center. We had also a short history of how JOOUST created links with the Obunga community in general through the ORA and the long way they had come since the beginning of their discussions.
EXHIBITION The exhibition was the opportunity for us to show what we had done to different people than the ones involved directly in the project and get some exterior feedback on the project. It was also the occasion to have discuss certain aspects of the project with people that were more knowledgeable about those specific details. This gave us closure on the part of the project done in Kisumu.
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WORKSHOP: RESOURCE CENTRE TASK FORCE “We need to be visible on the internet in order to find funding”
“With only one room, we can’t have several activities at the same time” “Every grandma should access internet without walking too far ”
The meeting with the resource center task force was the opportunity to see the different people involved in and managing the resource center. We were then thinking of the possibility to work on the five suggested sites and spreading the different program across the different sites.
WHO? Tobias, Roslyn, Daniel, Elly, Beatrice, Lawrence, Bernard & Lilian, members of the resource centre task force. WHERE? Obunga resource centre WHEN? 19.03.18
Going in we wanted to know various things. First of all discuss about the program and see what we had thought of and what they thought was needed more in the activities proposed in the future center. Another question was which func-
tions needed or not to be in a more inclosed area that could be locked at night or needed more privacy. We also discussed about how the center would work compared to today and see what income bringing activities could be brought to help the center be self sufficient and also sustain its own growth/ expansion in the future. In the end of the discusion we new that they wanted one main center which offered almost all the different activities and that the secondary locations would be satellites to the first one. We got to understand what functions needed to be more open or public and which ones needed to be more closed or private. We got some new ideas on functions and activities that could be incorporated in the project and what the priorities were for the program if we were to think the project as something that could expand over time.
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WORKSHOP: WOMEN FROM THE COMMUNITY “We only go when we need something done because there is no fun for women or children” “The space is congested with men”
“We want the center to promote women empowerment in technology”
WHO? 13 persons from the residents association, representing all five zones of Obunga. WHERE? Obunga community hall WHEN? 27.03.18
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Meeting with women representatives we wanted to get input from the women in a setting where they felt that they could be free to speak. So we only had women at this meeting and talked about some similar topics as the meeting with the resource center task force. We also talked about another important topic, women empowerment and gender equality. We wanted to know why women were not using to center to the same extent as the men and what could change that. As a warm-up exercise we asked the participants to choose a place in Obunga outside their home that they liked and motivate why. The most common were community spaces, churches and their
vending stalls, since it was places were they could have discussions or socialize or places where they earned their living. Concerning why the center is not used much by women, they explained how they were uncomfortable with it being so crowded with men and that they felt insecure about operating the machines. They also mentioned the little time women have since they take care of their families and households and sometimes also have businesses, and that the services cost too much for them. In order to make the center more inviting to women in the future they requested more women employed there and in the management and for the centre to prioritize the needs of the women,. Counseling facilities, childrens area and female tutors to mention some.
DESIGN CRITERIA Physical
ORGANIZATIONAL
GENDER INCLUSIVENESS
• The bulding itself can serve as an inspiration or reference for construction and materials, water management and urban agriculture. • The design should include zones with different degrees of openness, safe closed spaces for storing valuables, spaces accessible only during opening hours and public space to be used also when the facilities are closed.
• Affordability: The building needs low construction and maintenance costs for the project to be realizable. • The design should include a timeline for implementation, making it possible to implement the project step by step. • The design should consist of a concept that can be adapted to different sites. • The design should work in a way that the steps following the first stage can be adapted depending on result and findings from implementation of the first step.
• Women should be equally represented in management of the center. • The center should host side acitvities run by women to contribute to a sense of ownership. • The design should include facilities for children. • The design should include spaces that offer both privacy and a diverse social environment.
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CORE PROGRAM
EXPANDED PROGRAM
(facilities required in a new resource center)
(with high priority first)
• • • • • • • • • •
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Exhibition space Meeting space Working/reading space Access to computers/internet Photocopying/printing Private meeting/counseling space Diverse public spaces Childrens area Toilets Showers
• • • • • •
Cooking facilities Library Urban agriculture Rentable office space Volunteers housing Recycling station
THE RESOURCE CENTER IN THE FUTURE NGO GRASSROOTS Development ideas
ACADEMIA JOOUST MASENO CHALMERS
Organisational support Funding
Small payment for services Empowerment in technology
Research ďŹ ndings
OBUNGA RESOURCE CENTRE
Reserach base
Community information
Funding Meeting facilities
OBUNGA RESIDENTS
Educational training
Information channel
COUNTY/ STATE
Time to visit
Counseling Electing management
OBUNGA RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Organisational support
Social activities
Information channel NEW LINK REINFORCED LINK
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SITE PICKING GUIDELINES The choice of site for the future resource center is important. The decision will influence the way it is used and how many people use it. When choosing a site, the following things should be considered.
Proximity
ACCESSABILITY
Activity
The location should be as central in Obunga as possible, in a densely populated area to have proximity to most residents.
The site should be easily accessible from the main communication paths in Obunga and should be accessible for external visitors, most likely arriving from the bypass highway. Accessibility is also achieved if the site is located in an area where everyone feels invited regardless of religion, tribe or clan.
The area around the site should preferably be a vivid area people pass by for other reasons. That will increase the number of spontaneous visits to the center. It is also beneficial for income bringing activities run by the center.
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Size
Security
Exposure
The plot should be the adequate size to host the core program and still have open space for public activities.
The site should preferably be partly enclosed with overview over entry points. Residential houses in the surrounding is positive in term of keeping watch over the facility. The entry points should be towards a busy street.
The center and its activities should be well visible for people who pass by to encourage visiting, and making it well-known. It also improves the possibility to reach out with information to people who just pass.
In addition to this, the site should be available for long-term use, to make sure investments of time and money in the project are fruitful in the future.
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SUPPORT TO SITE PICKING
Ch
Ch
S
S S
Ch
Ch
Co
of pedestrian traffic igh
Medium
ow
Ch
Ch
Ch
y of constructions igh
Co Ch
Suggested zones for a future Resource centre Main entrances to Obunga Public access buildings Ch
Church
S
School
C
Community
Shops Previously suggested sites
Medium
SCALE 1:10 000
ow
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OBUNGA
S
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PROPOSAL
EXAMPLE SITES
18x30m 375 sqm Church
15,5x9m 130 sqm
Schoo
l
16x17m 275 sqm
Residential Commercial Community Sites
Proximity Accessability Activity Size Security Exposure
Proximity Accessability Activity Size Security Exposure
The design concept will be applied on three example sites, created by us and with different conditions. This is shown through the site picking para-
Proximity Accessability Activity Size Security Exposure
meters. The three sites are based on areas of Obunga, in terms of scale and surrounding urban fabric. The aim is not to give examples to be replicated
but to show the thoughts of how the concept can be applied.
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DESIGN CONCEPT The design constists of a big shading roof that can grow over time, a light contruction of bamboo and metal sheets. Under the roof, rooms with heavy mudbrick walls contain the functions that need to be protected, such as computer rooms and storage. These rooms can also be added step by step depending on need and funding. The shaded outdoor spaces between the brick walls have a flexible furnishing to host events, meetings, counseling sessions, work and reading areas. The open space is divided by light walls that are easy to build and dismantle to host both social and more private and quiet acitvities. The building is surrounded by a drainage trench to prevent flooding, as well as bamboo hedges that define the borders of the site.
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3010 mm 3010 mm 10,5 sqm 4080 mm
Axonometry- Structure, Module, Roof
Exploded view of a base module
7,5 sqm 2090 mm
Modules and some possible combinations
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PROGRAM & GROWTH CONCEPT STREET ABOLUTION BLOCK
KITCHEN CHILDRENS AREA
EXHIBITION/MEETING SPACE
SOCIAL AREA
MANAGERS OFFICE
STORAGE
COUNSELING SPACE
LIBRARY
READING SPACE
COMPUTER ROOM & PRINTING/ PHOTOCOPYING MEETING SPACE
RENTABLE OFFICE SPACE
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Heave construction
STEP 1
STEP 3
Light/partial construction
STEP 2
STEP 4
VOLUNTEERS HOUSING
PROCESS CONCEPT Since the planning process look very different in Obunga than for example the process in Sweden, there is need for other methods. By creating a general design that can grow over time we enable the idea to adapt to changing conditions. Will or need of the client to build a new construction
Getting funds (interior or exterior to the instituion)
Design and concept dialogue between client and architect
Detailed planning of the construction
Applying for construction permit
Construction
Start of project
Building in use
Swedish Building Process
Will or need of the client to build a new construction
Applying for funds from the government, NGO’s or foreign investors Design and concept - by architects, craftsmen or private persons
Start of project
Getting funds (interior or exterior to the instituion)
Seeing what can be done with the funds available according to the importance of the program
Detailed planning of the construction
Construction
Applying for construction permit Building in use
Kenyan Informal Settlement Building Process
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MODULES EXHIBITION SPACE
• To be used for exhibitions, bigger meetings and other events • A grid in the ceiling enables hanging bamboo or papyrus screeens to display things or divide the space
All plans - 1:100
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0
1
KITCHEN
• To be used to produce food and refreshments for vending as an income bringing activity • To offer a time and price efficient way to provide food for the family when visiting the center • Can be used for educational training through cooking classes • Can be used for social events
5
CHILDRENS AREA
• A climbing wall invites to physical activity and the rest of the area is designated for reading or studying in a playful environment • To make visiting easier for people, mostly women, who take care of children • To encourage the younger generation to be active participants in community development • External volunteers can help providing open daycare for parents to leave their kids when they are attending meetings, training or use the facilities in other ways
LIBRARY
READING SPACE
• The library can start growing from a shlef in the office even before the library room is constructed • A section for childrens and young adult books making the center more attractive for children and youth • Collaboration with a larger library to get access to e-resources can provider a wider range of litterature with a smaller budget, and make sure that the library is up to date.
• The reading space is spread out to offer calm spaces to be by yourself and read, or sit toghether in a bigger reading area. • There is different types of furniture such as niches to crawl up in, benches and tablets mountable on the brick walls.
MEETING SPACE
• The meeting spaces can also be used for studying, counseling or training • Largely closed of from the social parts to provide som peace and quiet, but open enough for visitors to se something is going on inside
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MANAGERS OFFICE
RENTABLE OFFICE
• In the first development stages, a managers desk can be hosted in the computer room, in order to have a full office in the later stages • The space hosts desks but a table can also be folded out for the staff and stakeholders to use for meetings • Storage for supplies are kept in the managers office to have overview over the stock
• An office to be rented by research teams, students, NGO’s or other external stakeholders. • Generates some income to the center • Increasing the presence of collaborating actors in the center and enables networking. • Decreases a sense of marginalisation as the other actors are brought closer to the community also physically
All plans - 1:100
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0
1
5
COMPUTER ROOM
• In later development stages, there can be a separation to be able to have some computers available for browsing and printing when training courses are ongoing • Computer rooms are built with the same dimensions as other modules for the use to change easily if the desktop computers become outdated in the future
VOLUNTEERS HOUSING
• Recieving external (international) volunteers can be a way to bring some income to the center • Volunteers can perform various tasks such as maintenance, help organising events, run open daycare, and hold training courses in whatever they are skilled at as an opportunity for knowledge sharing • Volunteers can be recieved also before the housing is finished, only accomodated elsewhere
SANITARY BLOCK
• A sanitary block can be used by people who lack those facilities at home for a small cost, and generate some income for the center • If people pass by to use a toilet or shower, they get exposed to the activities of the center at the same time • Since it is a big investment, it should be done in an initial stage to not be downprioritized and never realised
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SITE: SMALL
58
Plan & section - 1:200
DEVELOPMENT STAGES
1. Computer room
Sanitary block
Sanitary block
Exhibition space
Manager’s office
Kitchen
2.
Reading/ working Library
Kids area
Computer room Manager’s office Computer room 0
1
5
Library
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Exhibition space is open towards the street to create visibility for events Managers office is close to the street and has overview over entrances, librarary and computer roooms
Kitchen near the street for an inviting atmosphere and commercial benefits
0
Separation between childrens area and quiet reading area Source of daylight and presence of green
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1
5
Separation but visual contact between the social area and childrens area
SITE: MEDIUM
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Plan & section - 1:200
Storage Reading/ working
Exhibition space
Computer room
Kitchen
Rentable office
Meeting space
Manager’s office
Library
Kids area
Sanitary block
0
62
1
5
DEVELOPMENT STAGES
1.
2.
Computer room
Sanitary block
3. Computer room
Computer room
Manager’s office
Rentable office
Library
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Multiple openings allowing the outer edge of the building to be used
Heavy walls is protecting the inner space from street noise and make it more enclosed
Diversity in spaces, a social core for communication and meetings and secluded sides for calm and privacy
Childrens area in a central location to avoid people taking care of children being isolated 0
Division of quiet working space to allow different activities such as conseling or meetings simultaneously 64
Spatial barrier that allows visual contact but also works as a playful seating
1
5
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SITE: LARGE
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Plan & section - 1:200
Rentable office
Volunteer housing
Reading/ working
Meeting space
Storage
Kids area
Kitchen
Sanitary block
Library Manager’s office
Reading/ working
Computer room
Exhibition space
0
1
5
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DEVELOPMENT STAGES
Storage
Sanitary block
Computer room
Library
1.
3. Volunteer housing
Rentable office
Manager’s office
2. 68
Computer room
4.
Volunteers housing in a more private zone Kitchen placed near water access Two roof structures framing a continous semi-outdoor space
Different types of seating invites to different activities
0
1
5
69
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DESIGN ELEMENTS With the plain square modules the building is given its character by the details, key design elements. The common ground is available and affordable materials, designed to be added and changed over time as the center develops and to create an inviting and diverse environment.
The perforations can also be used to mount furniture on the walls such as tablets and shelves, by sticking the consoles into the openings. This enables easily adding one shelf at the time for example when the number of books in the library is growing. Perforations in the walls instead of windows allow an airflow that serve as natural ventilation during hot days. Through that we avoid glass surfaces that easily break and are expensive to replace. It also brings a lot of daylight inside, reducing the need for electric lighting.
With some walls in a lighter material the plan gets easier to change over time. They are also more affordable and can have different degrees of transparency depending on how private the space needs to be.
Seating niches
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BUILDING KNOWLEDGE A future resource centre can spread knowledge in many ways. By using the building itself for demonstrating different technical solutions, building materials and other building features it can inspire an incremental improvement of the built environment in Obunga and other informal settlements in Kisumu.
Placing a water tank just below a mabati roof is making the solar energy from the roof heat the water that can be used in showers and kitchen, reducing energy consumption.
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Collecting water from the roof does not only provide you with water for plants, it is also reducing strain on the drainage system.
When the opportunity is given, the center can invest in solar panels, to provide energy for own use but also sell excess energy to surrounding households. Another opportunity is to finance such investments through collaboration with research projects.
In the Kisumu climate, indoor temperature is important to take into consideration. By raising the roof, insulating the ceiling with straw and leaving gaps in the brick walls heat is kept out and cooling air is allowed to flow through the building.
By introducing other materials than the traditional wattle and daub or the commonly used mabati we create a reference for people to get inspired by when building their own houses.
By implementing urban farming according to the concept of the 2017 Reality studio project Let it grow, locally known as the hanging gardens we want to promote spreading this idea of urban farming suitable for the Obunga context. Since the student group was working together with Desert Bloom, a network of widows, it is an idea that is anchored by the local women and can contribute to their presence in the center.
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MATERIALS
Mud brick is an afforable alternative to clay bricks that can be locally produced and sun dried.
Bamboo production in Kenya is increasing. With the current restrictions on wood use in Kisumu bamboo is a useful alternative not only as furniture but also for structural elements.
Maram (earth) can also be used for flooring and rammed earth benches.
Light walls can be done by several materials depending on availability, such as rope and papyrus mats.
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REFERENCE PROJECT: Pavilions for Okana Pavilions for Okana is a project we learned about quite late in during our stay in Kisumu. It is a community center near the village of Okana which is 1 hour away from Kisumu. The project was similar in different aspects. The building is used for community purposes, similar to the resource center. It was also similar in the way that it wanted to give a simple and low tech solutions. This project was very similar in the constructive ideas we ahd been thinking about using. More specificaly, the bamboo structure and pierced brick walls.
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USER SCENARIOS The flexible spaces of the rescource centre allow different acitvities to take place during the different times of the day and of the week. These are some examples of the uses.
Tuesday 11A.M.
Tuesday 4p.M.
The atmosphere is calm but still the centre is filled with activities. A computer training course is going on in one of the rooms and one of the Residents Association’s task forces is having a meeting under the shading roof. In another part of the centre a couple of women are meeting with their table banking group. By the street it is more busy, people are stopping by to use the washrooms and have a quick conversation about what is going on in the community.
The schools have ended for the day and the children are stopping by the library on their way home to do their homework and play with their friends. This is also the time when most women have time to stop by the centre and women mentors are present to guide visitors through the facilities and show the different activities. A smell of chapati is coming from the stove, the heart of the center’s social area.
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Tuesday 6p.M.
Saturday 2p.M.
Once the younger children have left, the youth and young adults who are ending school later are arriving to study for their upcoming exams. The big meeting area is used for singing and dancing rehearsals arranged by local youth.
During the weekend the facilities are open as usual but the centre also hosts some special weekend events. Government or county representatives can arrange meetings or exhibitions, as well as non governmental ogranisations and external or local community based organisations. It is also possible to arrange social activities for the community. Examples being community cooking events or urban farming workshops.
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CONCLUSION
RIPPLE EFFECTS Decreased marginalisation in informal settlements Positive change in living conditions in the community
Model spreading through GRASSROOTS to other informal settlements in Kisumu
Individuals are given tools to improve their living conditions Access to information is improved Bottom up approaches more included in development strategies
Pressure on authorities to take community vioces into account in decision making
Strengthened community voice in development agenda
INFORM:ALL
Improved communication channels for external stakeholders in Obunga
Research and development projects are encourgaged to involve the Obunga community
Increased knowledge production about informal contexts
Women are included more in the center Women are empowered through information acess, technology skills and inuence over the center
Changes in policy making
Women are strengthened as development agents in Obunga
Ideas spreading in the academic context
Decreased gender inequalities
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REFLECTION By designing for the Obunga context we realized it required a different type of design process than the one we are used to. Conditions are ever changing and with the short work period that we had we wanted to focus on understanding how an imagined resource center could work in the context. The result is a design that has some core elements, configurations and processes that can look very different depending on the spatial, economic and organisational conditions. Several times we have explored that the answers we got were not to the questions we thought we asked, but turned out to be more useful. Spontaneous meetings on the streets, failed workshop excersises and what appeared to be dead ends in the process have been valuable contributions to our understanding of the context. Our design for a future resource center is an exploration of what an expanded and more inclusive center could be and generate. Regardless of if the stakeholders get the opportunity to realise it or not, the project emhasizes the importance of the center. We hope that we have contributed with knowledge about challenges and potentials that can be useful in the work towards improved information access and gender inclusion.
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CONCLUSION The Inform:all project could help improve the acess to information and technology, create a platform for collaboration and provide valuable public space in Obunga. This would be done trough an expanded programme of the resource center with focus on social interactions and links between stakeholders and the community. The project also contributes to a more gender inclusive center through providing space for children, diverse social spaces to aviod a single space dominated by men and through side activities such as farming and cooking run by women to make female visitors more comfortable. Acess to water, sanitation and food improves the possibility to cater for family needs also when in the center. Through this we hope that the Inform:all project can contribute to the empowerment of the Obunga community and be a part of an incremental development of the area.
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REFERENCES Candiracci, S & Syrjänen, R. (2007) UN-HABITAT and the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme. UNON Publishing Services Section. Retrieved from https://unhabitat.org/books/un-habitat-and-kenya-slum-upgrading-programme-kensup/ Hamdi, N. (2004). Small Change: About the art of practice and the limits of planning in cities. London: Earthscan. MacPherson, L. (2013). Participatory Approaches to Slum Upgrading and Poverty Reduction in African Cities. Hydra, 1, p. 85-95. Retrieved from http://journals.ed.ac.uk/hydra/article/view/198 Straehle, L.K. (2016). Pavillions for Okana: From landscape to roofscape (Master thesis, TU Delft, Architecture) Retrieved from http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:1fde7fc0-88e7-49a3-886f-d140fabaa649 SchrÜder, S. (2009). Guada Bamboo: Bamboo joints and joinery techniques. Retrieved from https://www.guaduabamboo.com/ working-with-bamboo/joining-bamboo UN-Habitat. (2012). Gender Responsive Urban Planning and Design. UNON Publishing Service Section. Retrieved from Gender Responsive Urban Planning and Design UN-Habitat. (2015-05). Habitat III issue papers: 22-informal settlements. Retrieved from https://unhabitat.org/habitat-iii-issue-papers-22-informal-settlements/ UN-Women. (n.d.). Kenya. Retrieved from http://africa.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/eastern-and-southern-africa/kenya [2018-05-19] UN-Habitat. (2006). Kisumu Urban Sector Profile. Nairobi: UNON Publishing Service Section UN-Habitat. (2009). Interlocking Stabilised Soil Blocks: Appropriate earth technologies in Uganda. Retrivied from https://unhabitat.org/books/interlocking-stabilised-soil-blocks-appropriate-earth-technologies-in-uganda/
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Klara Sjรถgren Holtz & Nicolas Berenbach Reality Studio - Chalmers University 2018
INFORM:ALL