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  • SBI 2019 Spaces for public recreation | aamatters

    Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism - collective city - 2019 QR section Additional information and QR support 공공 레크리에이션을 위한 공간 공공 레크리에이션은Ng’ambo를 교차하고 있는 여러 커뮤니티들으리 생활에서 막대한 역할을 했고 또 현재도 하고 있습니다. 이 공공의 레크리이션 공간은 그 역사뿌리가19세기까지 추적되며, 스포츠 경기장에 대한 첫 언급은 지도에서도 볼 수 있습니다. 특히 축구는 당시 영국인들에 의해서 이 섬에 소개된 이후 남성들에게 가장 중요한 사회적 경험이 되어 왔습니다. 급속한 개발 및 토지점유욕구의 압박 하에서 개방된 공간들이 일반적으로 사라져 가고 있는 반면에, 2개의 주요 스포츠 경기장 - Mnazi Mmoja (19세기 말부터 계속적으로 사용되어 온 경기장)과 Mbuyuni/Mchangani 은 아직까지 파괴되지 않은 채 보존되어 있습니다. 1940년대 말기부터Ng’ambo에 어린이들을 위한 놀이터가 수개 만들어 졌었는데, 주요 스포츠 경기장들과 달리, 이들은 시간의 시험을 이겨내지 못했습니다. Ng’ambo내 공공 레크리에이션 공간의 현재와 과거에 대해서 좀 더 알고 싶으시면 XX 선을 따라 가십시오. Ng’ambo Treasure Box LEGEND: Spaces for public recreation Public recreation has played and continues to play an immense role in the lives of the various communities intersecting in Ng’ambo. Its roots go back to the 19th century, when the first mentions of sports grounds can be found on maps. Football, especially, has been a central social experience for men since its introduction to the island by the British at that time. While open spaces are generally disappearing under the pressure of rapid development and land grabbing, the two major sports grounds – Mnazi Mmoja (which has been continuously in use since the late 19th century) and Mbuyuni/Mchangani – have so far remained untouched. From the late 1940s, Ng’ambo was also provided with a number of playgrounds for children, which in contrast to the major sports grounds have not stood the test of time. Follow the XX line to find out more about public recreation in Ng’ambo today and in the past.

  • ec | aamatters

    elena cattani During those months I felt like we planted a seed somewhere between the Michenzani Blocks. It makes me feel really excited to see that the seed seems to start growing into a plant! a Steven Zijlstra (28), holding a Master’s degree (ir./MSc.) in Real Estate and Housing from the Delft University of Technology. After my graduation in 2015 I had the chance to work on the housing research at AA Matters. Since June 2015, I work at Diepenhorst de Vos and Partners in The Hague as a project manager / (delegated) project developer. My main focus lies on the redevelopment of shopping center Colmschate, Deventer (Holland). I am passionate about redevelopment projects in a complex context, to improve that context while representing the desires of the client. My field of expertise is project (re)development, project management and real estate finance. projects involved Housing Strategies in a Historic Urban Landscape I researched the housing strategies and did a feasibility study to densify the Neighbourhood of Ng’ambo while respecting its tangible and intangible heritage, which eventually resulted in the Ng’ambo Housing Action Plan. I really enjoyed my time in Zanzibar and Tanzania. Great and dedicated people, good fun. During those months I felt like we planted a seed somewhere between the Michenzani Blocks. It makes me feel really excited to see that the seed seems to start growing into a plant! Another moment I can remember and cherish was the signing session of the shareholder meeting of Hifadhi Zanzibar. A big moment and such a good initiative for Zanzibar City. back to the team overview

  • Learning from Casablanca | aamatters

    To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Learning from Casablanca CategorY Research , Education , Exhibition ​ Period 2010 - 2011 ​ AAmatters team Belinda van Buiten Berend van der Lans Antie Kaan Andrea Kurzbein Brendan Culley Ivan Thung Elena Catani Jeroen van der Drift ​ Partners /Collaborators Casamemoire College Superieure de l’architecture de Casablanca University Hassan 2 University of Utrecht – Social Geography Department TU Delft – Architecture Stimuleringsfonds Netherlands Architecture Institute ​ Relevant links facebook page NAi article Archdaily article Local news article Vimeo video Thesis Brendan Culley Thesis Andrea Kurzbein ​ tags #placemaking #spontaneous city #adaptation #urban planning #public space #social architecture #architecture without architects Casablanca served as laboratory for European architects to experiment with modernist mass housing in the 40’s and 50’s. The visions of modernist architecture spread all over the world, suggesting new structures in housing, work, transport, and leisure. The spatial structure in Casablanca has been extremely transformed and appropriated by the inhabitants over time to respond to the requirements and aspirations of everyday life. A multi-disciplinary study was undertaken with schools and their students from Morocco and the Netherlands in a co-production between the team of Casamemoire, consisting of Abderrahim Kassou and Laure Augereau and the team of AAmatters. The College Superieure de l'Architecture de Casablanca was represented by its director Abdelmoumen Benabdeljalil and Karim Rouissi, while Prof. Tom Avermaete was leading the research team from Delft. The study focused on the spontaneous adaptation that took place in Casablanca and what was at the basis of the fact that it often resulted in socio-cultural and economic successes. The results were presented in an exhibition at the Sacre Coeur in Casablanca in November 2011, in connection with the African Perspectives conference that was organised by ArchiAfrika and the Ecole Superieure de l’Architecture of Casablanca. A series of debates focused on the possibilities that this could bring to contemporary city planning. Relevant projects Abattoir Casablanca Power of Spontaneity Ng’ambo Atlas back to the projects overview

  • ac | aamatters

    Amélie chauvin AA Matters’ knowledge, experience and background are extremely valuable. back to the team overview Executive associate architect Following her early years at the University of Avignon where she studied History, Amélie enrolled in the School of Applied Arts ‘Bellecour’ in Lyon, where she began as an art student but eventually achieving her bachelor degree in Space Design. She, then, entered the Brittany School of Architecture in Rennes, France and received the Diploma of Architecture in 2012. The following years she studied at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, attending the master “Design for Sustainable Development” and graduated as an architect in 2014. For her postgraduate master’s degree, she submitted, along with Alexandra Papadaki, a design proposal for a new form of social housing in Ng’ambo, Zanzibar Town, Tanzania which drew the attention of local authorities and initiated a three-years collaboration with the Department of Urban and Rural Planning (DoURP) of Zanzibar as well as with AAmatters on various projects. Now back in her homeland, she is working as architect at ‘NGA Atelier’ in Corsica, France since April 2017. projects involved Amélie’s expertise encompasses architecture, urban planning and graphic design. She has been a part of Ng’ambo Tuitakayo project from its inception, involved also in the organization and coordination of numerous workshops and community consultations. Along with Alexandra Papadaki, she was involved in the graphic design of several national documents such as the National Spatial Development Strategy (NSDS) for Zanzibar and the Chwaka Local Area Plan (LAP) . Recently, she has been an active member of the team responsible of the production of the Ng’ambo Local Area Plan both as architect and graphic designer. ​ 'Back in 2014, as a young architect stepping out from the school for the first time, I couldn’t think of a better springboard than collaborating closely with AAmatters’ team. Its knowledge, experience and background are extremely valuable for any architect sensitive to architecture and urbanism in historical cities, emerging cities or megacities wanting to address challenges of complex urban conditions in their work.'

  • immanuel | aamatters

    These projects have challenged our understanding of vernacular architecture and building methods where knowledge is been explored through stages and sequences of ‘making things’: building spaces through the art of craftsmanship. Immanuel Kwaku Sirron-Kakpor architect Immanuel sirron-kakpor (1968) holds a master’s degree in architecture from the academy of architecture in Amsterdam. Born in Ghana, he resided in the Netherlands between 1994 and 2012. He studied architectural design at royal academy of fine arts The Hague, architecture and urban design at royal Danish academy school of architecture Copenhagen – Denmark. ​ Immanuel is founder and a principal architect at Sirron-Kakpor Architects which have an office in Accra - Ghana. Having worked with several offices in the Netherlands: -, Jo Coenen & co architects Amsterdam, Vera Yanovshtchinsky Architects Bv – The Hague and The Hague Municipal Department of urban development. projects involved It has been a great experience collaborating with AAMatters, starting from African Perspectives in delft, Accra revisited ¸ blueprints of paradise and VOLTASCAPES: rethinking modernity - a master's thesis on a redevelopment proposal for Danyigba in the Volta region in Ghana. ​ These projects have challenged our understanding of vernacular architecture and building methods where knowledge is been explored through stages and sequences of ‘making things’: building spaces through the art of craftsmanship. back to the team overview

  • Ng’ambo Atlas | aamatters

    To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Ng’ambo Atlas CategorY Research , Publication ​ Period 2016 - 2017 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers Iga Perzyna Marie Morel Alexandra Papadaki Amelie Chauvin Berend van der Lans ​ Partners /Collaborators Department of Urban and Rural Planning Zanzibar City of Amsterdam African Studies Centre Leiden Creative Industries Fund ​ Relevant links ​ ​ ​ tags #urban planning #intangible heritage #immaterial culture #placemaking #GO-HUL #finding stories #mapping Relevant projects Ng’ambo Tuitakayo Finding Stories Ng’ambo Housing Research Learning from Casablanca Ng’ambo atlas. Historic Urban Landscape of Zanzibar Town’s ‘Other Side’ ​ Ng’ambo Atlas is the concluding chapter of the Ng’ambo Tuitakayo Project undertaken by the Department of Urban and Rural Planning in Zanzibar and African Architecture Matters, in collaboration with the City of Amsterdam between 2012 and 2016. ​ The goal of the project was to prepare a local area plan (structure plan) for the new city centre of Zanzibar’s capital. From the beginning, our planning exercises were grounded in the notions of urban culture and heritage, while the principles outlined in the UNESCO Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape provided us with a framework for the subsequent stages of our work. ​ It did not take much time before we realized that the cultural and historic richness of Stone Town’s ‘Other Side’ merited a wider recognition than a technical planning document would allow for. For this reason we decided to collect our findings in an atlas – a format that on the one hand enabled us to bring together and present Ng’ambo’s rich planning history through historic maps and plans, while on the other to draw attention to the outcomes of the mapping of the material and immaterial cultural landscape conducted during the project. ​ Ng’ambo is the lesser known ‘Other Side’ of Zanzibar Town. During the British Protectorate the area was designated as the ‘Native Quarters’, today it is set to become the new city centre of Zanzibar’s capital. Local and international perceptions of the cultural and historical importance of Ng’ambo have for a long time remained overshadowed by the social and cultural divisions created during colonial times. One thing is certain: despite its limited international fame and lack of recognition of its importance, Ng’ambo has played and continues to play a vital role in shaping the urban environment of Zanzibar Town. Ng’ambo atlas presents over hundred years of Ng’ambo’s history and urban development through maps, plans, surveys and images, and provides insights into its present-day cultural landscape through subjects such as architecture, toponymy, cultural activities, public recreation, places for social interaction, handcrafts and urban heritage. ​ The Atlas was launched on the 24th of January 2019 in the Klein Auditorium, Academy Building, of Leiden University in the Netherlands, and on the 13th of July 2019 in the Hifadhi building on Kiponda street, in Zanzibar Tanzania. ​ The Atlas is published by LM Publishers and can be ordered via their website. It is also available online in digital format through the website of the African Studies Centre Leiden, here . ​ The research, production and publication has been made possible through the generous support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Creative Industries Fund NL, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dar es Salaam, EFL Foundation and the City of Amsterdam. back to the projects overview

  • Team | aamatters

    the team iga perzyna Director architectural historian alexandra papadaki Executive associate architect engineer Franka van Marrewijk Executive associate urban planner & designer marie morel Associate anthropologist, urban planner & researcher berend van der lans Associate architect our pool of experts Amélie chauvin architect Antoni Folkers architect / co-founder of AAM belinda van buiten architect / artist Nicole bolomey heritage and landscape specialist aurora kazi bassett history of cities and city planning / project manager Immanuel Kwaku Sirron-Kakpor architect antie kaan project and mediatheque support Brendan Culley social geographer / urban project manager Sarah Benbouazza architect & urban planner / intern Steven Zijlstra real estate / project manager / researcher Marloes Hamelink cultural anthropologist / qualitative researcher Rachel Jenkins visual & communication strategies network

  • Dak’art Workshop and Exhibition | aamatters

    To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Dak’art Workshop and Exhibition CategorY Education , Exhibition ​ Period 2012 ​ AAmatters team Berend van der Lans ​ Partners /Collaborators College Universtaire de l’Architecture de Dakar Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dakar ​ tags #public space #architecture #reinvention African public space may well provide successful solutions for public space challenges in the West – was the conclusion of the jury of the Blueprints of Paradise competition, developed by the Afrika Museum and AAmatters in 2010. ​ As part of the Dak’art Biannual, the College Universitaire de l’Architecture de Dakar and AAmatters explored this further in a workshop with over 40 students of the 1st to 3rd year of the school, taking place in the week before the Dak’art Biannual 2012, being opened by Senegal’s new Minister of Culture Yousou N’Dour on the 11th of May. ​ The results of this workshop, 6 proposals that aim to optimise the public space in and around Amsterdam CS, introducing ‘structured order’, ‘improved interconnectivity’ and multiple, more spontaneous and flexible use of the space, were presented during the exhibition ‘Vision sénégalaise sur l’espace public aux Pays-Bas: La Gare Centrale d’Amsterdam Réinventée’ as part of the OFF programme of the Dak’art Biannual. The exhibition was held in the garden of the Residence of the Dutch Ambassador, at the Rue des Ambassadeurs in Dakar between 18 May and 1 June 2012. The workshop was run by Mamadou Jean-Charles Tall, Mouhamadou Naby Kane (both CUAD), Cherif Diattara, Mbaye Sene (both Archi Art Concept) and Berend van der Lans (AAmatters). The project is supported by the Royal Netherlands embassy in Dakar. Relevant projects Blueprints of Paradise Stars of Dar Maputopia back to the projects overview

  • ip | aamatters

    iga perzyna Working with AAmatters is a great and rewarding adventure. Director architectural historian Iga Perzyna holds a master degree in Architectural History from Bartlett School of Architecture and in Historic Conservation from Oxford Brookes. During her studies in London she was briefly involved as an intern at Bukka. Her master thesis from Bartlett looked at the government buildings in Monrovia, Liberia in the context of the post-independence nation building processes taking place in Africa. After graduating in 2014 she worked for the 0047 gallery in Oslo and collaborated on the Conservation Area Statement Proposal–Sagene/Akerselva with the Cultural Heritage Management Office of the City of Oslo. In 2017 she joined the polish NGO Inicjatywa Miasto dedicated to placemaking and revitalisation of public spaces in cities. Iga is working with AAmatters since 2015. back to the team overview projects involved Iga is usually responsible for project coordination and research, from time to time she writes and/or assists in writing project proposals and occasionally pens an article on subjects related to AAmatters’ work. Ng’ambo Tuitakayo FINDING STORIES THe Beeker Method: Planning and Working on the Redevelopment of the African City: Retrospective Glances into the future NG'AMBO ATLAS Uganda Museum ‘Keeping It Modern' BLUEPRINT FOR MAJESTIC CINEMA CULTURE HUB Hifadhi Zanzibar SEOUL BIENNALE EXHIBITION ​

  • Home | aamatters

    RESEARCH & ACTION FOR THE AFRICAN BUILT ENVIRONMENT Short About African Architecture Matters is a not-for-profit consultancy working with the African built environment in the fields of heritage, planning, research and education. ​ We are particularly concerned with the question of how to manage and develop the dynamically changing built environment with respect to the community, culture and history. By collaborating with people and organisations from various disciplines we explore and develop multidisciplinary strategies and interventions that respond to that question. read more projects team network Feat. News Featuring News AAM in the book “A Manifesto for Community Driven Processes for Climate Responsive Design” On Wednesday April 12, the Dutch premiere of Tug of War (Vuta N’Kuvute) in Kriterion Amsterdam It happens here! - podcast series available online AAmatters Library The long anticipated Ng’ambo Atlas is finally out! Recent news Reimagining Future African Cities at the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam Search By CAtegories Publication (9) 9 posts Research (6) 6 posts Event (23) 23 posts Exhibition (11) 11 posts Presentation (17) 17 posts Education (4) 4 posts Consultancy (1) 1 post Community (5) 5 posts Workshop (6) 6 posts Urban planning (6) 6 posts Search By Tags Book Climate responsive design collaboration festival film forum heritage Manifesto online workshop participation participatory design playgrounds podcast Publication rise africa roleplay rwanda Rwanda sustainable urban future talks tanzania Uganda urban urbanism zanzibar Feat. Projects Featuring projects Ng’ambo Atlas After the completion of the Ng’ambo Tuitakayo project, the collected material during the mapping phase appeared so rich, that together BLUEPRINT FOR MAJESTIC CINEMA CULTURE HUB The history of cinema in Zanzibar goes back to the early 20th century. In its heydays the island was home to three permanent movie theatres Uganda Museum ‘Keeping It Modern’ AAmatters forms part of the project team of the Uganda Museum ‘Keeping It Modern’ project aiming at developing a conservation

  • Bayimba Cultural Centre | aamatters

    To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Bayimba Cultural Centre CategorY Research , Consultancy ​ Period 2012 - 2014 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers ​ Partners /Collaborators Bayimba Cultural Foundation (Faisal Kiwewa) DOEN Foundation Amsterdam (client) ​ tags #urban #culture #architecture #research #consultancy Assessment of a proposed project for a cultural centre on Lubiri, one of the royal hills of Kampala, with a rich and also tragic history. ​ The Bayimba Cultural Centre is a combined music-dance-performing arts initiative, already active for a number of years in Kampala and beyond. Relevant projects Pro Credit Ghana back to the projects overview

  • Fanjove Lighthouse | aamatters

    To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Fanjove Lighthouse CategorY Research , Consultancy ​ Period 2013 - 2017 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers Belinda van Buiten Matteo Comminetti Alexandra Papadaki ​ Partners /Collaborators Essential Destinations (Malcolm Ryen and Micol Farina, research and supervision) Nicola Colangelo (financial support) ​ Relevant links Essential Destinations ​ tags #built heritage #research #restoration Relevant projects Hifadhi Zanzibar Fanjove Lighthouse is situated on Fanjove, the outermost island of the Mafia Archipelago, on the southern shores of Tanzania. The lighthouse was built in 1893 by the German colonial authorities, but abandoned at Independence in 1961. Subsequent decay and vandalization led to the building to become seriously endangered in 2013. A quick research was carried out in 2013 and some funds were made available in 2016-2017 to carry out the most urgent conservation works. back to the projects overview

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