learning from developing countries: Afghanistan and south Africa. by Yuliana Abisheva

LEARNING FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

AFGHANISTAN AND SOUTH AFRICA

2 Bauhaus- University Weimar Institute of Europäische Urbanistik WS 14/15

Sustainable Urbanism: Challenges and Opportunities of Urbanization Semester Long Project: Learning from…

115354/ Fahriye Gürsoy 115247/Yuliana Abisheva

CONTENT INTRODUCTION (4) VPUU (5) MACRO SCALE REVIEW (6) PROJECT REVIEW (8) SKATEISTAN (14) MACRO SCALE REVIEW (15) PROJECT REVIEW (16) COMMENTARY FROM MAIN ACTORS (21) CRITICS/ VPUU (24) CRITICS/ SKATEISTAN (27) INTRODUCRION TO THE KEY STUDIES (28) SELECTED COUNTRY AND CITY FOR KEY STUDIES (30) ANALYSIS OF URBAN ISSUES IN KAZAN (32) UNKNOWN AREA (34) TRANSPORT SYSTEM/ POLICE OFFICE (36) REASONS OF CHOSEN PROPOSAL (37) PROPOSAL AND RECOMMENDATIONS (38) CONCLUSION (42) REFERENCES (44)

INTRODUCTION Talking about Developed countries one can say that sustainability is mainly about Intensive use of Urban Networks, Local Identity, Carbon-neutral lifestyle. But, what projects could be called sustainable regarding developing countries, and what more, countries with low income. Daily problems of some of them vary from absent of clean drink water and schools, high level of crime, high level of deceases, the low-level of literacy. It is no longer about bicycles, green areas, parks and diversity infrastructure, at least not now. We believe that sustainability in this case begins from people, from their mind from their hope in possible future living in their native areas. The projects, Skateistan and VPUU are chosen to examine their similarity in terms of hand in developing countries and concentrating on crime reducing enterprises and better living conditions for children. The relation between two projects are studied their prevalent sides. These sides are chosen as a criteria in order to investigate their similar aim regarding the places they built. We had specified those criterias as being in developing countries, fighting with crime rate and focusing to children quality of life, safety and education. It is difficult to live in such kind of environment that frighten of violence

or getting victim, lack of social sources, inequality especially for children. Both projects focus on better social conditions for citizens. They aimed to create recreational and educational spots to protect children of become potential criminals or victims. In Skateistan, it is provided with designing outdoor facilities to skate and educate.In VPUU this aiam is achieved by creating safe pedestrian route with open public spaces and playgrounds. In order to make better environment for youth and all residents, both projects are developed with paying attention to local problems and solutions. Furthermore, during the design process and construction time, society was involved actively , as a result they became a part of the projects and positive outcomes pursued after realization of projects very quickly. As it is mentioned in each projects , environmental and social sustainability were key intends of both of them, social consolidation was realized with addressing local problems in these underdeveloped countries.

VPUU NAME: VPUU: PROJECT LEAD: LOCATION: START DATE: COST: IMPLEMENTING PARTNER: URBAN PLANNER: DESIGN FIRM:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: ADDITIONAL CONSULTANT: FUNFING: BENEFICIARIES: NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES:

Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading Michael Krause, Team Leader Khayelitsha, Western Cape, South Africa November 03, 2006 $55600000 USD (Unspecified) City of Cape Town, Kreditanstalt fÃ¼r Wiederaufbau (German Development Bank) AHT Group, Sun Development PTY ARG Design, Charlotte Chamberlain & Nicola Irving Architects, Jonker & Barnes Architects, Macroplan townplanners, Masimanyane Community Participation, Partners for Impact, Naylor & Van Schalkvwyk, Talani Quantity Surveyors Tarna Klitzner Landscape Architects Masimanyane Management Consultancy City of Cape Town; German Development Bank; provincial and national South African funding; private sector funding Residents of Khayelitsha, Cape Town 200,000

MACRO SCALE REVIEW In South Africa, there are 52 million people with diversity of origins, cultures, languages, and religions (2011, Census).According to the statistics held by Census in 2011, people were asked to define themselves in terms of different racial population groups. It is stated that there are five different groups and they comprise with Black African at 79.2 %, Coloured at 8.9%, White at 8.9%, Indian or Asian at 2.5%, and Other/Unspecified at 0.5%. Comparison with the first Census in South Africa in 1911 indicates that whites were 22% of the population; it diminished to 16% in 1980 and 8.9% in 2011.

There are fairly large asylum seeker population and refugee in South Africa. According to the World Refugee Survey 2008, this number specified nearly 144,700 [1]. As a result of this diverse groups, South Africa suffers from many issues such as crime, poverty, local inequality etc. As Demombynes and Ă&#x2013;zler claim in their article with saying, social welfare and inequality have an impact of crime with regarding lack of capital, social organization and racial heterogeneity. Economic inequalities between groups and reinforcing ethnic differences are highly correlated with crime [2]. Inequality exists

in not only racially but also in education, income and restrictions for the health. 50% of the population live below the poverty level in South Africa. When we look at the children where they stand in this problematic schema that 1 to 2/ 3 of all African black children grow up undernourished and below average weight. Furthermore, black children are 9-10 times less likely to live until one years old than white children[3].

PROJECT REVIEW Under all these aforementioned circumstances and issues, The VPUU(Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading) urban planning project, in Khayelitsha township Capetown, utilize social engagement and urban planning as a device to fight to crime. Their aim is to improve social conditions in the area. Thus, the points are examined regarding to project such as why specifically this part of the city is chosen, how they started to project process, what were important criterions for them. All effort has been given to transform a community and town with crime poverty , unemployment and inequality into a safe, vibrant, interactive place but significantly into a environmentally, socially and economically sustainable community. VPUU is a City Cape Town project whose aim is diminishing violent crime and provide better social conditions in Khayelitsha, Cape Town , held in 2006 in partnership with the German Development Bank (KFW)[4]. VPUU pursues a remarkable methodology based on analytical elements of the current situation (Baseline Survey). The Baseline Study aimed to collect perceptions of crime, violence and danger. Wide range of stakeholders such as residents, children, workers, elected presentatives were involved to specify causes of crime, victims and perpetrators and to identify crimes such as robbery, murder and rape. [5].

Crime maps are developed according to following steps; • where and when does crime or violence most likely takes place(routes, dangerous places) • what time of the day, what day of the week does crime mostly occur • who is most likely to become a victim of crime or violence: what age, what gender This information is used to define hotspots and priority interventions, therefore the path where different projects will take place is created (graph 2). The reason why I gave importance of Baseline Survey is because it is implemented successfully with focusing on the issue locally contribution with community members. I strongly believe that it plays dominant role of concluded achievement of project.

Graph1:Map showing the proportion of the South African population that self-described as “Black African” in the 2001census.

graph 2. Maped hotsopts

graph 2. Unsafe walkway

After hotspots are defined, within the township of Khayelitsha safe nodes are created with many facilities such as youth clubs, safe hauses for women and adult education centers. Therefore, precinct plans for parts of each of the Safe Node Areas are designed. In other words community “sub-centers” built, they include businesses, open and public spaces, schools for sports and recreation.Furthermore, the programme provides public facilities such as library, youth center, sport facilities, toilets and other infrastructure, safe pedestrian walkways with street furnishing and lighting. Several ‘active boxes’ are planned along the main pedestrian route will be open 24 hours a day[6]. Besides providing indoor places, the project strength its concept with outdoor facilities for children with concentrating on sports and recreational activities to reduce commiting crime or being victim. Therefore, my point of view, if you give children hope for future like living in a better life or betting educated instead of criminal, then we can talk about this project’s long term impact than only reducing crime rate. Howard James claims that VPUU project is successful with not only reducing crime rates but also improving quality of life. He adds by saying the project results by simple urban design measures and interact with citizens concluded reducing murder rate 39% in

2005[7].On the other hand, some people argues city officials believe that VPUU made difference to crime in the area , but activists do not. Despite the fact that VPUU’s safety enterprise, the area is still suffering crime in terms of burglary especially new businesses [8].

Graph1:Map showing the proportion of the South African population that self-described as “Black African” in the 2001census.

Design of hotspots

VPUU realized project. Futball field.

VPUU realized project. Lighting system.

SKATEISTAN NAME: LOCATION: START DATE: COST: ENDUSER: DESIGN FIRMS: ENGINEER: SKATE PARK CONSTRUTION: FUNDERS: AREA:

Skateistan Skatepark Kabul, Afghanistan 2007 $617303 USD 360 students weekly Convic Design, IOU ramps (Germany) Afghan National Olympic Committee; Afghanyar Construction Company Ltd; Engineer Moheen; Engineer Reza ACCC Andreas SchÃ¼tzenberger, IOU ramps Embassy of Denmark; Embassy of Norway; Embassy of Germany; Nike; Architecture for Humanity (etc.) 1800 sq m/19375 sq ft

MACRO SCALE REVIEW Afghanistan is acknowledged to be developing country, which is stays in the low- income countries list. But apart from economy aspects, every year it faced with different kind of terrorist attacks. What is more is that over 30 years Afghanistan citizens were trying to survive amid political conflicts and frequently changing regimes (Encyclopedia Iranica). Most sever from which was Taliban (Esser, D, 2009). During this regime only the boys were allowed to get education (religious education) [1]. As for girls education was forbidden, so those families who tried to teach their daughters were considered as lawbreakers and it could cost them their life [2]. Kabul is Afghanistan’s capital. The population of Kabul estimated as 3,289,000 (2013) people (Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook 2012/13). The Urban structure of the city has lost its former appearance during the long warfare period and now it represents so-called chaos: the mixing of gutted housing (informal land developments represented over 70% of the total residential areas), streets in ubiquitous unsanitary conditions (Diane Barbé,2013). So, 65 - 80 % of Kabul’s population are living in that kind of environment (Diane Barbé,2013), more crucially is that children are also includes in that percentage group. All of those political and historical aspects reflected on children’s data very

drastically. For instance, according to UNICEF 2011 report education level in Afghanistan adult literacy rate (15+ years) made over 39%, where 13% of them are girls. The key indicators showed that amount of children who was involved in child labor achieved 18,3 % (among 5-15 years old age group). It can be called more than just deplorable consequences. However, after the fall of the Taliban (in 2001) government in collaboration with international founders are trying to fix it: there are numbers of programs which helps people to coup with depression [3] (Inge Missmahl, counseling centers), UNICEF immunization program, the improving education school’s environment program (the Government of Japan, with support from UNICEF) etc. According to the data from Raiza’s Ray of Hope Foundation [4], in 2013 more than 10 million male and female students were enrolled in schools throughout Afghanistan. The very promising project which focused on training and support children of Kabul city called Skateistan.

PROJECT REVIEW In 2007 Oliver Perchovich (the famous skater from Australia) came to Kabul to find a job(R, Bader & J, McConnael, 2012). During his staying in the city he was skating on the streets and he found that: “I was really amazed at how interested the children were, and not just the boys, but the girls as well” [5]. It made him think about teaching children skateboarding. First steps began from showing children basics (it happened in Soviet-made fountain in a neighborhood called Mekroyan [5]) and it leads to rapid increasing the number of audience. So, with the help of the first volunteers (Shams Razi, Max Henninger, Sharna Nolan) [6] he continued to teach children skateboarding. “In the last five years this unexpected “takeover” of a derelict public park has grown into an international non-profit called “Skateistan” with two educational skatepark facilities in Afghanistan”[5]. Few years later 5428 sq. meters of land had been donated to the Skateistan project by Afghan National Olympic Committee. With support of Norwegian Embassy, Canadian Embassy, Royal Danish Embassy, German Federal Foreign Office; volunteers through over the world; fundraisings from Architecture for humanity and Gamechangers; sponsors such as Fallen Footwear, Theeve Titanum Truck Co. (etc. etc.) on October 29, 2009, Skateistan construction and education

facility were completed (Skateistan website, Donors). “We have reapropriated K-Span buildings forms that are usually reserved for military installations and created vibrant schools in them. The K-span form is now not only seen as a military hangar but as quick, cheap and effective way to build a school and create a social hub for bringing together children from different ethnicities and social backgrounds.” [5] The design of the area includes outdoors space for playing football and other games, in combine with playgrounds with trees. Materials and ramps were provided by IOU Ramps (Germany) (D,Arson,2012). The yard or outdoor space was created to make an area where any Kabul resident can come and interact with each other it could be also used as a location for community events. Some of the buildings were keeping for the future potential usage according to needs of project. [7] “We work with nearly 1000 children every week, teaching not only skateboarding but also arts-based education, a Back-to-School program, leadership skills and much more. Over 40% of our students are girls, and the majority (60%) are street-working children and impoverished youth.”[5] Based on the program “Back-toSchool” (which was supported by Ministry of Education) within the

Skateistan

n. Fasade of main building. Kabul.

framework of the Skateistan project student (age range from 6-17) the Islamic studies, Math, and Adab e zindag (life skills), Calligraphy and Arts are being taught [8]. Student were taken from the different districts of Kabul, and as soon as most of them are working for their families, the studies schedule was made as four times

culture and such a new way of attraction might have a harmful influence of original Afghan culture and games: “If these girls are now skateboarding does that mean there is a piece of their local heritage that becomes lost because of it? When we are helping to ‘develop’ these young women do they get to determine what the end goal

“We use skateboarding as a tool for empowering youth, to create new opportunities and the potential for change” (c) per week, leaving one hour per class (Skateistan Annual Report, 2013). Annual reports show how the amount of student increases every year, and provides a positive results concerning the level of knowledge by student. For example, 36 students graduated from “Back to School” program are studying in public schools, from 2011 to 2012 the number of female students increase on 15%. Despite the fact that some families are still against the idea of skating: “If my family doesn’t let me skate when I grow up, and they tell me I need to be at home, then I have to respect my family. And I won’t be able to skate” (nine-year-old Maro, student of Skateistan) [9]. At the same time, apart from family argues there are also opinions, that skateboarding is not from Afghan

looks like or have we already decided for them?” [10]. Inspire of this anxieties, Skateistan do their best in attracting students and making them involved again into studies, no one at least now did it before. The “success stories” of students proves it.

COMMENTARY FROM MAIN ACTORS what was the criteria of choosing place in the city ( location, schools nearby, transport system, available empty area)? Skateistan’s first project site was opened 5 years ago in Kabul, Afghanistan. It is located within Afghan National Olympic Committee grounds, an area of city dedicated to sport halls and fields. It was an empty lot in 2009 and Skateistan received a long-term, rent-free land lease from the Afghan Olympic Committee and then built the facility on this land. The location is just 3km from Kabul’s city centre, very accessible to students. A lot of street working children are working nearby and therefore can attend easily. It’s important that the Skateistan facility is located nearby the students we aim to reach. were there any social problems, during the realization project (misunderstandings with locals, government,social attacks)? No, our team worked very hard to meet with different stakeholders to gain their support for the project and minimize obstacles. In addition, the Skateistan project was supported by the president of the Afghan Olympic Committee. Skateistan representatives met with prominent Shia and Sunni religious leaders to gain their support as well as various local government and community members. We met with families of the children regularly to assure them of the safety and positive outcomes of the project, and we continue to do this on ongoing basis.

how kids are reach the Skateistan place ( by social transport ?) Most students come for Skateistan’s “Skate and Create” program once a week for 2 hours (1 hour skating, 1 hour in classroom) but other students come daily for our Back to School or Youth Leadership programs. We provide transport in vans to all girls and Back to School students. Boys come on their own, either walking or on public transport. Lauren Della Marta Communications Officer Skateistan

Skateistan. Fasade of main building. Kabul.

Skateistan. Plan of the main building. Kabul.

CRITICS The VPUU(Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading) urban planning project, in Khayelitsha township Cape Town, utilize social engagement and urban planning as a device to fight to crime. It is aimed to improve social conditions in the area. All effort has been given to transform

VPUU based on researches took two years and public view and involvement. After the project has been explained deeply, positive and negative comments and critics are investigated to enlarge our study. Khayelitsha had high rate of crime (all kind of criminal activity) commitment

“the idea of participatory design — of using the public as a design compass instead of just getting a reaction to projects that are already proposed — is not being employed as much as it might. It’s really inspiring when you see it happening and working, like the VPUU (which stands for Violence Prevention by Urban Upgrading) project in Khayelitsha in Cape Town“ .As Gary Hustwit (said in the interview about his movie called “Urbanized“) a community and town with crime poverty, unemployment and inequality into a safer, vibrant, interactive and more livable place but significantly into an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable community. The main objectives were diminishing violence, crime and providing better social conditions in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. It has been largely explained in previous paper that their interventions, methodologies were developed

regarding to unemployed and uneducated resident schema. Pedestrian sidewalks became priority to solve this problem. Thus, VPUU reshaped the area with expanding pedestrian walkways, lighting the existing dark roads and changing them into safe walking paths and public spaces. According to Urban Omnibus, as far as , people use these well designed and safe routes, the murder rate has diminished 40 %. The program became

a pilot program that it is intended to enlarge other South African towns. In order to expand positive effects of the programme, people who live there are trained. That shows that design team and associations have put great effort in the area (2).On the other hand, some argues city officials believe that VPUU made difference to crime in the area , but activists do not. Despite the fact that VPUU’s safety enterprise, the area is still suffering crime in terms of burglary especially new businesses [3]. The City of Cape Town states that the program improved safety, even though some critics assert that there is no change in terms of crime reduction and the program should have been implemented in other areas. Moreover, they claim that police and local community played an initial role, not only City of Cape Town (Quinton Mtyala for the Cape Times, 2010). However, statics indicate that the violence has reduced. The murder rates declined from 358 happened in 2003-2004 to 121 in 2008-2009. In addition, the program caused many positive results, for instance, 2000 people have been educated to improve their skills and 176 community projects obtained funding (4). One of the main design decisions have been made that safety can only be maintain in the future in the district , if residents including children and adults have chance to get educational support. Therefore,

landscape architect Tarna Klitzner from the VPUU team, designed public spaces to be “learning platforms“, given 600 of the area`s 4000 children who are under 6 with interactive playgrounds. Klitzer explains “These educational interventions also help to create safe public spaces that foster a sense of community “(5). When sense of community achieved in neighborhood level, sense of place would be the next step make this city better place to live. In addition to critics and comments to the project, there are many aspects and reasons why VPUU succeed that they spent years to learn problems from people who live there and find solutions and better plan with the citizen involvement. The project is developed step by step with the community. According to Hustwit, The program is more than only proposing project and getting response from public it is liked or not. It is about getting public involved in the process how a project can be or improve (6). Regarding the critics, It is worthy to add that cooperation of German Development Bank and City of Cape Town had a profound impact on the project to deal with it in a municipal level different then many urban revitalization projects. One of the main reasons why VPUU has succeed in Khayelitsha is because “The Model for Intervention“. The result of researches

and studies before the design process, this model which is based on an integrated approach regarding social situational and institutional crime prevention initiatives is developed(7). The Model of Intervention is composed of three main aspects to avoid crime actions which are social crime prevention (offender victim), institutional crime prevention (administrative environment) and situational prevention (built environment).

The Model of Intervention is composed of three main aspects to avoid crime actions which are social crime prevention (offender victim), institutional crime prevention (administrative environment) and situational prevention (built environment). http://www.vpuu.org.za/

CRITICS From the one point, this project may seem naive, because skateboarding itself can’t solve global problems like a low level of knowledge and issues like poor quality of life of most children in Kabul unlikely to be solved by this. Also nowadays many families are staying skeptical toward this project (especially those who steel follow traditional policy) :

SKATEISTAN dations, volunteers through over the world, who not infrequently risked their lives (September 8th a suicide attack on the streets of Kabul, 6children from Skateistan project were killed and a 14-years old volunteer was wounded). Nevertheless, we can treat this project as sustainable, because this kind of tremendous work build a neces-

“We’re entitled to be very strict and afraid because negative consequences from the Taliban time are still out there, and men do whatever they want to women.” [9]

As for now, Children still continue to work on the streets, even in the winter period, which is acknowledge to be the most severe. But from the other point, regarding the scale of project it gives at least some of them- hope: It gives me courage, and once I start skating, I completely forget about my fears” [9]. And in our case, it’s the most important thing. Because Skateistan provides the opportunity to be in a safe and good looking place, and what is more important, it is bringing them back to knowledge which was inaccessible for a long time. The huge amount of work which had done by a lot of foun-

sary conditions for children 5 days a week even though the conditions of the whole city and country are more than just dangerous, and that is a good start. In 2011 Skateistan project was shortlisted for the Shortlisted for the Beyond Sport “Conflict Resolution” and “Sport for Education” Awards, in 2012 Winner of ISPO Marketing and Social Awareness Award, in 2013 it stayed in #85 in The Global Journal’s “Top 100 NGOs” for 2013[6].

INTRODUCRION TO THE KEY STUDIES Skateistan and VPUU are chosen to examine their similarity in terms of hand in developing countries and concentrating on crime reducing enterprises and better living conditions for children. The relation between two projects are studied their prevalent sides. These sides are chosen as a criteria in order to investigate their similar aim regarding the places they built. We had specified those criterias as being in developing countries, fighting with crime rate and focusing to children life and safety. Learned from projects, how to design not only structures but also consolidate social and physical sustainability and resiliency. Both projects focus on better social conditions for citizens. They aimed to create recreational and educational spots to protect children become potential criminals or victims. Studying Skateistan and VPUU urban design projects, different than other sustainable urban design projects, unique approaches in order to deal with socio economic and socio cultural problems in developing countries are remarked. It is observed that how issues are handled and solved in every process and scale in their context. As it is mentioned in each projects, environmental and social sustainability were key intends of both of them, social consolidation was realized with addressing local problems in these underdeveloped countries.

After projects are largely explained, the positive and negative critics are placed for both projects. Commends indicate that both projects have succeeded; precisely, inadequate points or different negative ideas are discussed so as to investigate the projects entirely. There are many points that learned from both projects, to illustrate, how to deal with socially problematic areas and propose the solutions that makes these examples unique. Therefore, in recommendation, we will be investigating the example that allows us to implement new approaches we have learnt. The city of Kazan (Russia) is chosen to examine and propose better solutions for children and social life. We are going to focus on disadvantaged neighborhoods, places or issues in the city with the aid of knowledge we obtain. New approaches are possible to offer to the city after we have worked on Skateistan and VPUU. The reason why we have created our case study is that we would like to make new recommendations to Kazan regarding to studied projects. New solutions will be offered referring to ideas implemented to Afghanistan and Africa. The issues related to children, crime and socio economic field will be handled by us. We will concentrate to suggest new approaches, solutions and recommendations to the new study place.

KAZAN CITY

SELECTED COUNTRY AND CITY FOR KEY STUDIES The issue of children and their future is one of the main tasks through over the world. There is no such a country or a city that can be called sustainable if it is not provide necessary conditions for safety, education and health (etc) for children. It was decided to refer to the VPUU and Skateistan projects in order to and apply these approaches at the site of Russia. It is obvious that the magnitude of the problems and their solutions are quite different between observed countries and Russian Federation. Despite the fact that they all staying in the same list of developing countries, the problems with education are not the same as well as the level of life in general. However, the safety of children in large cities often

statistics in Moscow and its surroundings 53% of detected people have been lost in the urban environment. 50 from 286 people were children aged 0 to 16 [13]. Similar statistics exist for all ages, but the largest number was made by kids. According to the statistic of National Monitoring Center for Lost and Affected Children “Every year in Russia lost from 20 to 35 thousand children. 90% of them were found alive or dead as a result of accidents or crimes committed against them. Generally estimated that annually in Russia dies or goes missing from two to three thousand children. For comparison, each year from 1000 to 1500 children died by traffic accidents. That is raises the problem of missing children in the

Every year in Russia lost from 20 to 35 thousand children. 90% of them were found alive or dead. questioned. January 27, 2012 in Kazan (Russia) was an exhibition called “in a notchildish way”. It was dedicated to lost children (in urban and rural areas), the way of how they were found and their stories. The organization which was conducting the event has been searching different people for several years. Most of them are children. According to

very important place among other social problems.” [14]. However, in most cases cities are planning according to the standards of mature people. Navigation and in most cities of Russia is designed for those who are least able to read, or those who are trained to recognize audio signals (such as disabled people). So kid, who have been lost have less chances to find a way home, if he lost

chances to find a way home, if he lost in the unknown area. That was the reason to explore this issue further and to observe the areas of Kazan city through the eyes of lost kid in order to find a possible solution of lost kids problem. The observed above projects was taken into consideration as good examples of how to provide security for ones and excellent example of how to work with children and develop their social skills. Based on these projects we are going to make the proposal.

ANALYSIS OF URBAN ISSUES IN KAZAN Kazan is the capital city of Tataristan Republic, it is industrially, scientifically and commercially important centre. It is located in the center of western part of Russia, 800 km east of capital city, Moscow(8). With a population of 1,143,535, it is the eighth most populous city in Russia (9). Intensive industrialization in Kazan is started in 1930s, while the population increaced rapidly. In the post war period , the city is concentrated developing attempts, that caused population growth over 1 million in 1979. In 90s, the city is considered one of the main political and financial centers of Russia. It is possible to say that the city is considered post- socialist city with all urban developments done in last decades. The case study is chosen to apply learned urban theories to the analysis of Russian city which is in -transition- and to ist post-socialist urban development. Authorities highly utilized the subject of nationalism, identity of region, and religion to contribute urban development in addition to authorize their own power. The image of the city has changed in last decades. With the recent changes of the image, physical structure and management of Kazan caused many questions about political choices and governmental formations behind the development ideas and projects (10). Administrative authority became decition making center and administration is taking place

actively to handle local problems and add some European look to the city. For instance, there was a development targeting slum and disadvantaged areas in 1995 across the republic, called, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Slum Clearence and Modernization of Slum Blocksâ&#x20AC;&#x153; in Kazan. The program includes that 31,907 families who are in 8,001 dilapidated housing areas obtained new homes(11). The program was improved with administrative efforts generously. Regarding to urban analysis, the main issues of the city is investigated and the cities districts are studied. There are 7 different district zones (shown on the graph) in the city which are named; Aviastroitelniy, Vakhitovsky, Kirovsky, Moskovskiy, Novo-Savinovsky, Privolgsky and Sovetsky. Number 2 which is called Vakhitovsky is the city center and other districts on the city border are considered outskirts. According to the last news and interviews about criminal level in Kazan, Novo-Savinovsky(5) ,Moskovskiy(4) and Sovetsky(7);especially Azino neighborhood, are defined the highest crime rate districts(12). As it can be understood from the map that these neighborhoods are located in the outskirts of the area. After the investigation, 7. district which is Sovetsky is pointed the most problematic one. According to Yakovleva ,there are a lot of drug addicts and most of the victims are women who

are 7 different district zones (shown on the graph) in the city which are named; Aviastroitelniy, Vakhitovsky, Kirovsky, Moskovskiy, Novo-Savinovsky, Privolgsky and Sovetsky. Number 2 which is called Vakhitovsky is the city center and other districts on the city border are considered outskirts. According to the last news and interviews about criminal level in Kazan, Novo-Savinovsky(5) ,Moskovskiy(4) and Sovetsky(7);especially Azino neighborhood, are defined the highest crime rate districts(12). As it can be understood from the map that these neighborhoods are located in the outskirts of the area. After the investigation, 7. district which is Sovetsky is pointed the most problematic one. According

The scheme of 7 areas in Kazan city

to Yakovleva ,there are a lot of drug addicts and most of the victims are women who cannot have criminals resistance. Women are exposed to attack and robbery . 1., 4., 6., 7. and part of the 3. district is outskirts and have safety issues. Moreover, many of these districts look very similar in terms of physical environment. The reason of this is because they are designed in a same manner which Russians call â&#x20AC;&#x17E;sleeping districtâ&#x20AC;&#x153; refers to communities or neighborhood that consist of mostly housing with schools and some commercial functions. These housing places consist of high blocks with prefabricated elements and very large streets between them. That causes some isolated neighborhoods into the city.

UNKNOWN AREA Looking at the city through the children’s’ eyes is very useful, because it helps to recognize the area which they can or cannot see and how do they fill the scale of the city. What if one find himself lost in the neighborhood the extend of which is so big even for an adult or for grownup person? In the short review of seven neighborhoods in Kazan it was clear that urban images in most cases have a typical pattern: the facades of prefabricated housing, huge amount of advertising wide roads. Under the panic or stress conditions it would be hard to find a way home and unfortunately not all parents teach their children of how to behave in this situation. In addition, the structure of the city by itself is slightly oriented to direct and to inform about possible ways. Sometimes it is hard even for locals to orient himself correctly and to get out from one area to another, so it is not difficult to imagine what children can feel if he or she get lost. According to the Hotline National Monitoring Center for Lost and Affected Children there are several rules which should be followed in order to be found [14]. However, panic attack in particular situation might reflects on children’s’ ability to understand what to do and where to go. For adults it much easier to read signs, to ask necessary information; for foreignersgadgets can be a solution or trying to

find someone who can explain the direction. However it is completely not the same with kids, who are in panic and full of fears. There are various places where people get lost, from the shopping malls to festival events. This proposal basically concentrated on that points where whenever one get lost, he will always find a way home or a way to the Waiting center (the concept of which will be discussed further).

TRANSPOST SYSTEM \ POLICE OFFICE TRANSPORT SYSTEM In the Kazan city there is a quite well- working public transport system. Huge red buses and green trolley. Busses do not always come on time, but this is not a critical point yet. Every red bus has its own number and a table with the name of stops. The bus stays in average no more than 5 minutes, during this time a person should determine the number of the bus and its direction. However if one do not familiar with number, it takes the same 5 minutes to find the necessary bus stop and get inside. In the summer, it is quite feasible task (for those who can read and who do not have vision problems). In autumn, winter and spring, it becomes more complicated, because sometimes during the weather conditions busses are covered by dirt and it is hard to recognize the information on the bus table. Almost every bus stop has a map of the line destinations. But they are slightly understandable as for an old people as for kids. That is because there are huge number of colored line with a minimal distance between them, so every time it is hard to follow which bus goes where. So, if one did not understand the map and 5 minutes was not enough to find a particular bus stop among the whole list in the table there are high chances

that one will spend a lot of time before he will out the bus number or basically took the wrong and find himself at the one of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;sleeping districtsâ&#x20AC;?. POLICE OFFICE If lost kid was not find by his parents the best scenario for him is if someone will notice that he is lost, talk to him and then call the police. But that is what happened in a best case scenario. Sometimes kids do not talk. So after he or she was taken into police office, he waits for parents or relatives, who will bring him back home. The police office is a place where people with different backgrounds were taken by policemen for a purpose. It does not mean, however, that they are all seating in the same place, but atmosphere there is not helping for calming down after the shock.

REASONS OF CHOSEN PROPOSAL This statistic regarding lost children is frightening and the bad designed navigation in the city is not the first reason why people get lost. However, we believe that the infrastructure issue as well as professional psychological work with lost children should pay an attention and may also help in solving this problem. The navigation system should be redesigned in a

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Sleeping districtsâ&#x20AC;? in Kazan city

readable way, thus one will not lost. At the same time there should be alternative option to police office for kids in order to make them feel safe and to provide them a required psychological help. The proposal was designed based on the example of Kazan city, however it can be applied to other cities as well.

PROPOSAL AND RECOMMENDATIONS We have considered the city through the eyes of a man and kid who was lost. We have identified drawbacks in the navigation system of the Kazan city . There were included:

trict. Thus, bus stops, urban furniture or basically signs should be painted by the district color. So, the location would be easily determined by those who have been lost.

• Limited amount of time to read the information

• Complicated graphic schemes • Unreadable signs (due to the season )

• No signs in particular neighborhoods

• The other issue was regarding the place where one or another lost person spend their time before he or she has been found ( the police office): • Not a friendly place where one should spend unknown period pf time • Absence of psychological help

IDENTITY Based on the fact that Kazan city has 7 areas most part of which has been called as “sleeping districts”, there are no any sign in neighborhoods, which could say where exactly random lost person is located. So, initially we focused on how to create a special identity for each of the 7 regions. Since we mainly concentrated on a group of children (0-16) , the identic should be performed in a most simple and readable way. In this case we can use colors. Each color to the particular dis-

Redesign of bus schemes ( according to the “color area” concept)

BUS SCHEMES Bus schemes should be simplified respectively with the color concept. We think that it is better to concentrate the attention of the person on color and district, rather than on bus lines. So there is supposed to be a 7 colored pieces with bus lines crossing

them. We do this in order not to confuse people with a lot of information (for instance, in Kazan there are about 100 bus routes). Each line has its own number and it should be drawn with a distance between each other.

BUSSES The last (main) detail of all this navigation system is busses. We decide to keep tables with the name of the bus stops as well as keep the sign (number of the bus). However, we offer to paint each bus in those colors, which belongs to areas they supposed to cross. For example, if they cross the 4, 2 and 6 of the area, than bus should be painted by three of these colors. Thus, for a man who did not know the bus number and its route at least it is possible to figure out in which are it goes. At the same time, children who cannot read and who basically absorb information visually will know which bus they should take to get to their neighborhood. Thus, everyone could easily use this colored visual information no matter what the season it will be, or do they familiar with bus route.

concept. redesign busses. visual information.

current bus in Kazan (69 / 1 / 91 /5)

area bus in Kazan (crosses area 4, area 2, area 7)

area bus in Kazan (crosses area 6, area 7, area 2)

WAITING CENTERS Then we started thinking about drawbacks of this system. We took in consideration the fact that even though one child will use the color system to get directly to his neighborhood he might be not familiar with it, because all of that 7 areas are quite big, so it is unlikely that kid will know even a big part of it. Thus he might be lost again. And even the police office is one of the good option for him or her (because at least it means that he is found) it is still acknowledge to be a stress place where no one wants to be for a long time, even though sometimes it is necessary. So in order to minimize this stress and help a lost person to find the most secure way home, where he will find a help we propose to create a waiting centers in each of that 7 areas with the same name bus stop. Thus in any case it will enough for lost kid to get to the bus and go directly to

the waiting center. The design and function of the waiting center might be different. It can also been used as a place where kids will be trained of different training courses and workshops. So, it will work as a center where all necessary help will be provided to the children as well as training school, so it will be always full of kids. In this way we are planning to create the safe point for ones, the waiting points for another and the training place for the third.

CONCLUSION In conclusion, VPUU and Skateistan projects are largely described and explained in previous papers. We have chosen these projects to see the transformation from problematic township into naturally and socially sustainable community. The connection between these projects are tried to be settled in terms of focusing points of consolidation of society with physically and socially. Lastly, projects are criticized considering positive and negative sides. The fact that children are the main targeted group which needs to be protected, also deserve attention, because they are the ones who expected to change the possible future of their countries. Starting from this point, the case study of Kazan is examined in our final recommendation paper. Things learned from VPUU and Skateistan projects are here tried to be implemented. Initially, the main problems and disadvantaged neighborhoods are defined. We have focused on three main points which are incomprehensible bus routes, unsafe neighborhoods and recreational or educational inadequate spaces concentrated on children. Our was to implement design ideas that we learned from both projects and initial point was examined children life and difficulties they found in Kazan; referring to Skateistan project. Problematic and disadvantaged spots

or neighborhoods are defined and safe routes are drawn for them; referring to VPUU. Thus, initially we focused on how to create a special identity for each of the seven districts. Bus routes are redesigned using colors and signals to find their locations easily to avoid lost. Furthermore, waiting center idea came from â&#x20AC;&#x153;active boxâ&#x20AC;&#x153;design from Khayelitsha. The only difference here we have added additional function such as educational and recreational. Basically, the approaches and ideas from two projects are carried out in Kazan city. To sum up, Kazan can be seen as our case study to recommend our ideas and solutions regarding to VPUU and Skateistan projects. The aim was to make Kazan gain new identity as more sustainable city focusing on children who are our future hopes. And to make it work, countries need to focus in providing necessary conditions (safety, education, motivation, support) with if not the best, then standart conditions, because it is possible. We highlighted the importance of creating more safe ,socially and environmentally sustainable neighborhoods.

REFERENCES VPUU (p 4-13) 1. (2012), January 30, Crime-and Poverty-Challenged Design- VPUU Khayelitsha Cape Town, Urban Choreograhy , retrieved from; http://urbanchoreography.net/2012/01/30/crime-and-poverty-challenged-designvpuu-khayelitsha-cape-town/ 2. (2011), September 21, Make it Visible :Gary Hustwit’s Urbanized, Urban Omnibus, The Architectural League`s ,retrieved from; http://urbanomnibus.net/2011/09/gary-hustwits-urbanized/ 3. 2013, April 17, Fergus Turner and Ground Up Staff, Ground Up 4. Case: The development of Khayelitsha, South Africa, www.csduppsala.uu.se/sustainabilitycases, p:11 5. Green, J., (2014), Uniting The Built& Natural Environments, In Cape Town, Urban Reduces Violence, retrieved from; http://dirt.asla.org/2014/05/01/in-cape-town-urban-design-reduces-violence/ 6. (2011), September 21, Make it Visible :Gary Hustwit’s Urbanized, Urban Omnibus, The Architectural League`s , retrieved from; http://urbanomnibus.net/2011/09/gary-hustwits-urbanized/ 7. Approach and Methodology, The VPUU: Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading, retrieved from : http://www.vpuu.org.za/page.php?page=2 8.Kinossian, N., (2009), The Role of Image in Creating The Post-Socialist City (Case Study of Kazan, Tatarstan) 9. Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011). “Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1” [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1]. Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года (2010 All-Russia Population Census) (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved June 29, 2012. 10. Kinossian, N., (2009), The New Urban Question – Urbanism beyond Neo-Liberalism ,The Role of Image in Creating The Post-Socialist City (Case Study of Kazan, Tatarstan)

11. Tsenkova,S.,Nedovic-Budic,Z., (2006), The Urban Mosaic of Post-Socialist Europe; Space, Institutions and Policy, Kinossian, N., Chapter 16 ,Urban Redevopment Programmes in Kazan, Russia, (P:322) 12. Yakovleva, J., Police officer: “The most dangerous places in Kazan City: the center,”Gilki”and the Suburbs , 2014, June 9, (access date:07.02.2015) SKATEISTAN (p.14-27) 1. Retrieved from: https://raziasrayofhope.org/education-in-afghanistan.html 2. Dare to educate Afghan girls (TEDxWomen 2012 • 9:36 • Filmed Dec 2012) https://www.ted.com/talks/shabana_basij_rasikh_dare_to_educate_afghan_girls 3. Bringing peace to the minds of Afghanistan ( TEDGlobal 2010 • 10:41 • Filmed Jul 2010) https://www.ted.com/talks/inge_missmahl_brings_peace_to_the_minds_of_afghanistan 4. Raiza’s Ray of Hope Foundation.Education in Afghanistan. Retrieved from: Https://raziasrayofhope.org/education-in-afghanistan.html 5. Perchovich, O. (2013). A different angle can give a form new function and new owners. Sustainable Living Urban Model, (8), 28. 6. Retrieved from: http://www.skateistan.org/content/our-story 7. Retrieved from: http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/skateistan 8. Students excited to start 2nd grade. Retrieved from: http://www.skateistan.org/student_blog/back-school-students-excited-start 9. Skateboarding in Afghanistan Provides a Diversion from Desolation. (2009) Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/sports/othersports/26skate.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=skateistan&st=cse&scp=2&

10.Skateistan: skateboarding as a tool for empowering youth in Afghanistan and Comodia.(2013). Retrieved from: http://cszto.blogspot.de/2013/07/skatistan-skateboarding-as-tool-for.html Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook 2012/13. Retrieved from: http://cso.gov.af/Content/ files/Population%20of%20Kabul%20City%20by%20District%20and%20Sex.pdf Barbe, D. (2013).Population Displacement and Urban Transition in Kabul City. Sciences Po- Fall 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/260796612_ Population_Displacement_and_Urban_Transition_in_Kabul_City_Current_Spatial_ Structure_Social_Issues_and_Recommendations_for_a_New_Development_Plan Esser, D. (2009). Kabul iv. Urban Politics since Zaher Shan. Retrieved from: http:// www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kabul-iv-urban-politics-since-zaher-shah D, Aaronson. (2012). Design like you give a damn, 226. New York: Abrams. UNICEF Best estimates provincial fact sheet 13 Kabul. Retrieved from : http://www. unicef.org/infobycountry/files/Best_Estimates_Fact_Sheet_-_Kabul.PDF KEY STUDIES (p. 28-42) 1.(2012), January 30, Crime-and Poverty-Challenged Design- VPUU Khayelitsha Cape Town, Urban Choreograhy , retrieved from: http://urbanchoreography.net/2012/01/30/crime-and-poverty-challenged-designvpuu-khayelitsha-cape-town/ 2.(2011), September 21, Make it Visible :Gary Hustwitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Urbanized, Urban Omnibus, The Architectural League`s , retrieved from: http://urbanomnibus.net/2011/09/ gary-hustwits-urbanized/ 3.2013, April 17, Fergus Turner and Ground Up Staff, Ground Up 4.Case: The development of Khayelitsha, South Africa, www.csduppsala.uu.se/sustainabilitycases, p:11 5.Green, J., (2014), Uniting The Built& Natural Environments, In Cape Town, Urban Reduces Violence, retrieved from: http://dirt.asla.org/2014/05/01/in-cape-town-urban-design-reduces-violence/

6.(2011), September 21, Make it Visible :Gary Hustwit’s Urbanized, Urban Omnibus, The Architectural League`s, retrieved from: http://urbanomnibus.net/2011/09/ gary-hustwits-urbanized/ 7.Approach and Methodology, The VPUU: Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading, retrieved from : http://www.vpuu.org.za/page.php?page=2 8.Kinossian, N., (2009), The Role of Image in Creating The Post-Socialist City (Case Study of Kazan, Tatarstan) 9.Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011). “Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1” [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1]. Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года (2010 All-Russia Population Census) (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved June 29, 2012. 10.Kinossian, N., (2009), The New Urban Question – Urbanism beyond Neo-Liberalism ,The Role of Image in Creating The Post-Socialist City (Case Study of Kazan, Tatarstan) 11.Tsenkova,S.,Nedovic-Budic,Z., (2006), The Urban Mosaic of Post-Socialist Europe; Space, Institutions and Policy, Kinossian, N., Chapter 16 ,Urban Redevopment Programmes in Kazan, Russia, (P:322) 12. Yakovleva, J., Police officer: “The most dangerous places in Kazan City: the center,”Gilki”and the Suburbs , 2014, June 9, (access date:07.02.2015) 13. Statistics about lost kids. Retrieved from: http://www.lizaalert.org/stat12.asp 14. Statistics about lost children.National Monitoring Center for Lost and Affected Children. Retrieved from: http://poiskdetei.ru/ PHOTOS AND DIAGRAMS p. 5. https://www.flickr.com/photos/fliping/ p.7. http://turnitaround.co.za/news/khayelitshas-vpuu-making-urban-areas-safe p. 8. https://www.flickr.com/photos/panorama_paul/2868310084/ 9. http://www.vpuu.org.za/page.php?page=2 12-13. http://julianraxworthy.org/wordpress/2013/08/13/2013-za-visit-kyayelit-

p.9. http://www.vpuu.org.za/page.php?page=2 p.12-13.http://julianraxworthy.org/wordpress/2013/08/13/2013-za-visit-kyayelitsha/#more-1676 http://www.kkh.se/mejanarc_new/?lang=eng p.14. http://spitfirewheels.com/skateistan/ p.16. http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/dlygad2_skateistan p.19.http://skateboardmsm.de/news/skateistan-interview.html#Iqkv0xOybyxMW4xo.97 p.20. http://konkrete.ca/Blog-Article-51-SkateistanTo_Live_And_Skate_Kabul p.22. http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/dlygad2_skateistan http://skateistan.org/category/tags/skateistan-tale-skateboarding-afghanistan-0 p.26. http://www.vpuu.org.za/page.php?page=2 p.28. http://englishrussia.com/images/112012/overkazan5/overkazan005-14.jpg p. 3 1 . h t t p : / / r u m a p. n e t / % D 0 % 9 A % D 0 % B 0 % D 0 % B 7 % D 0 % B 0 % D 0 % B D%D1%8C/%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0_%D0%90%D0%B4%D0 %BE%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE/4% D0%B0 p.34. http://www.panoramio.com/user/3585302 p.37. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1060171 p.43.http://www.dazeddigital.com/photography/article/14128/1/skateistan-the-taleof-skateboarding-in-afghanistan