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. MISION & VISION Our mission is to develop, deliver and promote sustainable, socially inclusive and culturally sensitive projects concerned with the broadly understood historical and contemporary African built environment. We want to be a go-to partner for those who wish to create sustainable, socially inclusive and culturally sensitive urban environments in Africa. APPROACH Our approach is integrated, multidisciplinary and emphasizes an open and continuous dialogue with our stakeholders. We always work in association with local partners. Through our projects we seek to contribute to local capacity building and knowledge transfer by intensively involving communities, scholars, governmental parties and the private sector. Collaborative; our projects are always undertaken in partnership with organizations with strong local ties – on equal basis and aiming at strengthening capacity – and/or organizations with the right expertise. Context sensitive; context and local conditions are the basis for project setups, processes and outcomes. Our project strategies are formed by the context, not the other way around. Practise oriented; our projects and studies are always oriented towards implementation and do not remain theoretical exercises. Research by design, design by research; we believe in the power of design and use design as a tool for communication and testing of theory. It makes projects and processes tangible and helps the interaction with peer groups. It is faster, cost effective and project funds are not finished before a design result has surfaced. Open source, sharing; as an NGO with a public goal, we aim to share all project results and outcomes publicly to contribute to the general knowledge on sustainable urban development with a specific focus on Africa. Accumulating expertise; our experience in design, planning and activism related to Africa’s built environment spans over 30 years providing a fruitful basis for our services – and it keeps expanding. Proactive in project creation; we are always looking for innovative challenges and opportunities that contribute to the development of sustainable urban development. We take initiatives to build alliances, partnerships and start projects with the aim to support this. What we do We have a wide range of expertise in the fields of heritage, planning, research and education and assist our partners, clients and stakeholders in various activities that support inclusive, sustainable and culturally sensitive urban development and dissemination of knowledge on the historical and contemporary African built environment. You can expect us to deliver outputs that are based on research and expert analysis and take into account the physical, historic, social and policy context in which we are working. Our services and activities Mapping and recording of urban landscapes Drafting of local area plans Built heritage and heritage planning and management advice Interactive community consultations Institutional capacity building Designing and curating exhibitions Development and implementation of workshops, events, conferences Project management and coordination Structure AAMatters’ team is composed of a director; Iga Perzyna and four associates: Berend van der Lans , Marie Morel , Alexandra Papadaki and Franka van Marrewijk . The team meets regularly to discuss ongoing affairs, what projects to take on and to develop and review general operations and strategies. The daily management of the AAMatters is in the hands of a smaller executive team. ​ The Supervisory Board oversees and advises on the organization and makes sure that AAmatters’ mission and objectives are upheld. The Board is consulted on a regular basis (at least bi-annually) and approves policies, budgets and the accountancy. Our Supervisory Board includes: ​ Reinier H ietink , Treasurer and VP Global Key Accounts Greif Inc. Inger Lise Syversen , Prof. Dr.Techn Siv.arch MNAL, Researcher on Architectural Heritage and Urban Transformation, Board member Habitat Norway ​ History AAmatters was established in 2010 by Antoni Folkers and Berend van der Lans . It began as an NGO with the mission to share knowledge on the African built environment through practice and activism. Over the years it grew into an organization with many collaborations and international partners working on its projects. Prior to the establishment of AAMatters, in 2001, Antoni and Berend founded ArchiAfrika with Belinda van Buiten , Janneke Bierman and Joep Mol. ArchiAfrika is a platform for dialogue and knowledge on the African built environment. The NGO moved its base to Ghana in 2012, and is since then run by Joe Addo and his team. ?Do you want to work with us !Don’t hesitate to get in touch network team

Modern Architecture in Africa CategorY Publication ​ Period 2005 - 2010 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers ​ Partners /Collaborators SUN Architecture ​ Relevant links Review Journal of Architectural Education Review Power of Culture Review Gent University ​ tags #African Architecture #urban planning #research #building technology #practice Relevant projects Institute for Tropenbau Coen Beeker Inspired by this experiences as an architect and researcher as well as activist in a variety of locations in Africa since 1985, Antoni Folkers published Modern Architecture in Africa in 2010. ​ The book sets out to link the worlds of traditional site-specific architecture with the Modernist project in Africa which have been considered in isolation to date. The starting point is to analyse and especially to supplement the position of contemporary African architecture vis-à-vis the Modernist project. The publication thereby offers a unique insight into modern African architecture, which is undeniably influenced by modern European architecture, and at the same time is a natural successor to existing site-specific and traditional architecture. ​ The book ranges over the four architectural disciplines; urban planning, building technology, building physics and conservation. There is an introduction with a historical outline and an analysis and comparison of a number of projects. On the basis of examples drawn from practice, the author documents and describes the hybrid architectural forms that have emerged from the confrontation and fusion with (pre)modern Western architecture and urban planning. Folkers narrates in passing the history of African Architecture. ​ The research for Modern Architecture in Africa formed the basis of the Phd research completed at the Delft University of Technology in 2010 . ​ The book is currently out of print, although a couple can still be obtained via AAmatters. ​ back to the projects overview

alexandra papadaki Working with AAmatters has given me the opportunity to go beyond conventional means of thinking on my design practice back to the team overview Executive associate architect engineer Alexandra is part of the AAMatter’s executive team supporting day-to-day operations and communications, while helping identify and pursue the most relevant new projects for the organization. She takes account of marketing, acquisition, networking and she is involved in all relevant with her expertise projects of AAMatters. Alexandra Papadaki (1985) graduated from the department of Architecture and Engineering at Democritus University of Thrace in Xanthi, Greece (BSc./MSc. 2011) and continued her studies in Design for Sustainable Development at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden (MSc. 2014). ​ Alexandra is working with AAmatters since 2013, after her master thesis for an architectural insight for the urban metamorphosis of N'gambo in Zanzibar within the department of Urban and Rural Planning (DoURP). She is a partner in FBW Urbanists + Architects, with which she has worked on projects in the Netherlands, Tanzania and Uganda. Alexandra has also collaborated with UNESCO, the World Bank and other international organizations on urban planning, sustainable urban development and community engagement programs. In her free time she is active in advocating for pressing social issues in the fields of architecture and urban planning. projects involved Working with AAmatters has given me the opportunity to go beyond conventional means of thinking on my design practice. Sometimes it was intense, some others was challenging, but all of it has been extremely interesting and educational. The reason why working with AAmatters has been a unique and enjoyable experience so far is that, we grasp the fact that each project demands a different approach. In great collaboration with the multidisciplinary and diverse team of AAmatters, we constantly research new and/or redefine known methods and processes along the way to our proposals. Ng’ambo Housing Research Ng’ambo Tuitakayo Michenzani Green Corridors Ng’ambo Atlas Coen Beeker Zanzibar Local Area Plans ​

belinda van buiten The ‘Learning from Casablanca’ research project aims at surfacing what motivations, decisions and reasons lay behind the self-organised developments in these areas. back to the team overview architect / artist After her studies in Delft Belinda van Buiten worked in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) for L+ P architects and the Institute for Tropical building. In 1990 she worked for Hubert-Jan Henket architects, where she also worked on a regular basis during her studies. In 1992 she established, together with Antoni Folkers en Geoffrey Wilks, FBW Architects with branches in Manchester, Dar es Salaam, Utrecht, Kampala and Kigali. Apart from her work in the FBW office she is a guest lecturer practising on various universities and schools for advanced education in the Netherlands. She has been president of Bouwnetwerk (2003-2005), a network for women active in the construction industry and is, on a regular basis, member of commissions for spatial quality. Belinda is one of the founders of ArchiAfrika, aiming to put African architecture and urbanism on the world map. For African Architecture Matters, the foundation that evolved out of ArchiAfrika, she organised various exhibitions in Africa as guest curator. projects involved Learning from Casablanca Belinda was guest curator of exhibition ‘Learning from Casablanca’ in the Cathedral of Casablanca in Morocco as part of the International ArchiAfrika ‘African Perspectives’ Conference in November 2011. 'We managed to organise the exhibition in short time due to the enthusiastic and inspiring collaboration with Casamemoire and the Ecole Superieure de l'Architecture de Casablanca and a group of international students from the Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture. The ‘Learning from Casablanca’ research project had its focus on the urban, architectural and socio-geographical analysis of two modernist neighbourhoods in Casablanca and aims at surfacing what motivations, decisions and reasons lay behind the self-organised developments in these areas. The spatial structure in Casablanca has been considerably transformed and appropriated by the inhabitants over time to respond to the requirements and aspirations of everyday life. The neighbourhoods Hay Hassani and Hay Mohammadi are highly interesting cases as they went through substantial changes since their constructions between 1950 and 1962, initiated by its residents.' MAPUTOPIA passado-presente-futuro In Maputo Belinda was guest curator of exhibition ‘MAPUTOPIA passado-presente-futuro’ in the Conselho Municipal de Maputo for the 125th anniversary of Maputo in November 2012. 'Within this exhibition I worked in close collaboration with the late dean of the Department of Architecture of the University of Pretoria Karel Bakker and the Faculty of Architecture and Physical Planning of the Eduardo Mondlane University of Maputo, the Delft University of Technology, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, together with a group of international architectural students from various universities. ‘Maputopia’ celebrates Maputo’s wonderful architectural qualities through a mapping exercise of its past, present and its possible future: another 125 years of architectural pride. For the 125th anniversary of Maputo, this exhibition celebrates Maputo’s architecture and, at the same time, brings current challenges to its heritage to the fore. Academics and artists meet each other and present a penetrating view on the city.'

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Uganda Museum ‘Keeping It Modern’ CategorY Consultancy Research ​ Period 2019-2020 ​ AAmatters team Berend van der Lans Iga Perzyna ​ Partners /Collaborators Uganda National Museum Adengo Architecture Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Getty Foundation Rand Eppich, Cultural Heritage/ Conservation Architecture ​ Relevant links Keeping It Modern 2019 - Uganda Museum Project Adengo Architecture Keeping it Modern: 2019 Grants Awarded ​ tags #culture #research #museum Relevant projects Art & Architecture at Work Abattoir Casablanca The Uganda National Museum is one of the first purpose-built museums in Africa and one of the first modernist buildings in Kampala. Designed by the German architect Ernst May and built in 1954 it is a highly valued among the local community repository of the country’s cultural heritage. In spite of this the museum has on numerous occasions been threatened with demolition. ​ ​In 2019 the Uganda National Museum was awarded a grant by the Getty Foundation for the production of a conservation management plan as a part of the Keeping It Modern initiative. The project brought together an interdisciplinary and multinational team that was coordinated by the museum team. ​ The work on the Conservation Management Plan started with a week-long international workshop attended by young and senior professionals. The workshop combined hands-on training in condition assessment and environmental assessment with seminars on leadership and management. In the period 2020-21 the team worked remotely on the document, meeting regularly online to discuss the progress and important aspects of the management plan. ​ ​AAmatters was a member of the project team and assisted on the historic research and development of building conservation strategies. ​ The video produced during the workshop is available here . The Conservation Management Plan can be downloaded from the Getty Foundation Report Library . back to the projects overview

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Kigali International Forum on Cultural Spaces Category Event , Workshop ​ Period 2019 ​ AAmatters team Berend van der Lans ​ Partners /Collaborators Rwanda Arts Initiative BOZAR [bozar.be] University of Rwanda Uganda Martyrs University University of Cape Town ​ Relevant links Bozar activities Rwanda Arts Initiative For registration ​ tags #culture #creativeindustry #exchange #adaptivereuse #creativenetwork #urbanplanning #culturalmapping #culturalinfrastructure #businessmodels The city of Kigali is growing as a business, convention, tourism and investment destination. Its national, regional and international capital status deserves a cultural offer on par with its economic achievements and ambitions. Adequate central cultural infrastructure for cultural expression and creativity, accessible to creative industries professionals and consumers, can reinforce Rwandan cultural identity and allow Kigali to become a vibrant cultural capital. The international forum is initiated to discuss the role of culture in the urban environment, the challenges existing in Kigali in particular, and the opportunities offered by adaptive reuse of abandoned buildings. The forum is organized by and with Rwandan stakeholders along with invited multidisciplinary expertise from the continent and beyond, who all share a belief that culture and creativity are essential in the urban construct, as drivers for development. The forum thus brings together stakeholders from the creative, the public and the private sector and also includes a public cultural event. The forum addresses the role of cultural infrastructure in sustainable urban development, and the essential role that adaptive re-use of existing buildings plays in this. After the presentations of key reference cases from the continent and beyond, the forum focuses on the recently-vacated Kigali buildings and how they could become an important node in the cultural infrastructure of the city. What is the potential and how can such a project become feasible? A feasibility study presenting adaptive re-use and management models based on fruitful mixes of cultural and commercial uses. Various scenarios, developed in a workshop with students from Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa are illustrating this. The forum's ultimate aim is to lead to an agenda for the creation of a cultural infrastructure. The programme includes a keynote presentation from Porf. Lesley Lokko from the University of Johannesburg, presentations from representatives from the Rwandan creative sector, with among others actress Carole Karemera, architect Christian Benimana, filmmaker Joel Karekezi, fashion designer Cedric Mizero, cultural entrepreneur Amin Gafaranga, choreographer Wesley Ruzibiza, poet/slam artist Lion King, visual artist Epa Binamungu and presentations from reference projects from Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Hamburg, Lagos, Douala, Accra and Brussels. ​ AAmatters is involved in the programming of the workshop and forum, in research, developing a feasibility study for adaptive reuse for a cultural centre, including a business model. Relevant projects Art & Architecture at work Visionary Urban Africa Hifadhi Zanzibar Abattoir Casablanca Bayimba Cultural Centre back to the projects overview

AAmatters online library Over the years AAmatters has published on a regular basis and contributed to a number of publications, books and videos. In our online library you will find newsletters developed with ArchiAfrika in the period 2010-2012, articles written for a number of magazines and journals as well as publications, reports and videos related to projects. See also the project pages for material that is project related, but not published by AAmatters. ​ We support sharing of knowledge. You are welcome to download and use the documents presented. Please bear in mind the Creative Commons copyright licensing that we have adopted. If you use our material, we expect you to make reference to the source. If you are interested in specific material or information at high resolution don’t hesitate to get in touch. ​ In case you believe that AAmatters doesn’t have the right to present the shown material online, please contact us so we can take measures accordingly. ​ We also have a physical library in our office, you are welcome to visit us and consult the books on site. Publications publications LATEST A MANIFESTO FOR Community Driven Processes for Climate Responsive DESIGN Kigali - Proceedings of a conference on Community Driven Processes for Climate Responsive Design 15th - 16th February 2023 ​ ALL PUBLICATIONS aa newsletter 1001 Maputo - NewsletterJanuary 2010 ​ aa newsletter 1004 The Magic Game - Newsletter July 2010 aa newsletter 1007 The Magic Game - Newsletter July 2010 aa newsletter 1009 This is Lagos - Newsletter September 2010 aa newsletter 1012 Competitions - Newsletter December 2010 aa newsletter 1101 Special Edition: African Perspectives Conference - Call for Papers - 2011 aa newsletter 1103 Douala: Intertwined Architectures - March 2011 aa newsletter 1106 Blueprints of Paradise - June 2011 aa newsletter 1112 National Museum of Ghana - December 2011 aa newsletter 1204 ANZA - April 2012 aa newsletter 1207 Maghreb in Motion - July 2012 The Beeker Method Planning and Working on the Redevelopment of the African City Finding Stories The role of immaterial culture in city planning Report from the Symposium Ng'ambo Atlas Teaser 17th IPHS Conference Ng'ambo tuitakayo: Reconnecting the Swahili city Planning and Replanning Ng'ambo Zanzibar Something? do.co.mo.mo Modern Africa - Tropical Architecture TEC21 MichenzanI, Häusermeer und Plattenbauten Tec21 Sansibar - Stadt main theme Part D - Urban Planning Videos videos back to the top

Antoni Folkers Our play field is laying between academia and practice, between thinking, talking and doing. It makes us vulnerable but in the end, together with our partners we make things happen that have impact. architect / co-founder of AAM Antoni Folkers (1960), is an architect and urban designer. He commenced his professional career as researcher and designer in Ouagadougou before joining the Institute for Tropical Building (IFT) in Starnberg, Germany (1983). He is co-founder of FBW Architects & Engineers (1995) and currently FBW Group Consultant and director of FBW Netherlands. He has been responsible for the design and execution of a wide range of architectural and urbanism projects throughout East Africa and Europe, and is currently involved in various projects in Tanzania as architect, urban planner and researcher. ​ In 2001, he was co-founder of ArchiAfrika, platform for research and news on African architecture. In 2010, the management of ArchiAfrika was handed over to African network partners. In the same year, Berend van der Lans and Antoni Folkers established African Architecture Matters, active in research, education and activism in the field of African architecture and urbanism . projects involved Antoni is involved in most of the projects, therefore it goes too far to mention all of them here. Please see the projects section for an overview. He published a wide range of books and articles architectural subject, amongst which Mtoni Palace , Sultan & Princess of Zanzibar and Modern Architecture in Afric a on his 25 years of building and research experience in Africa in 2010. back to the team overview

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Stars of Dar CategorY Workshop , Exhibition ​ Period 2011 ​ AAmatters team Berend van der Lans Rachel Jenkins ​ Partners /Collaborators ARDHI University Goethe Institute Dar es Salaam Architects Association Tanzania Royal Embassy of the Kindom of the Netherlands Fortune Media Daladala TV ​ Relevant links Project website Project overview Youtube video 1 Youtube video 2 Youtube video 3 Daladala TV show ​ tags #opinions #architecture #public space #open space #city #debate Relevant projects Maputopia Dak’art Workshop and Exhibition Stars of Dar projects an inventory of buildings and public spaces which play an important role in the city and represent what Dar es Salaam stands for. The presented buildings and spaces have been selected through interviews with key members and architects of Dar’s society. Their ideas and reflections are presented and highlight directions and ideas on the shaping of future Dar es Salaam. Film portraits of 3 important public spaces, including the visions and ideas of their users, complete the picture. It is important to keep on exchanging ideas with the Dar es Salaam community, when making plans for the city. This exhibition can be seen as a contribution to this. Stars of Dar does not claim to give a complete picture nor is a reflection of a deep analysis, but aims to be the spark for an ongoing debate on our beloved city, in a attempt to create an inclusive city of which the total is greater than the addition of its individual parts. Stars of Dar is a production of architecture students from ARDHI University (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), the Architects Association of Tanzania (AAT) and the Netherlands based foundation African Architecture Matters. The Stars of Dar workshop and exhibition were part of the «GLOBAL CITY - LOCAL IDENTITY?» symposium organised by the Goethe Institute in Tanzania,14 Oct - 16 Oct 2011. back to the projects overview

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. ArchiAfrika Newsletters Category Publication ​ Period 2010 - 2012 ​ AAmatters team Rachel Jenkins Berend van der Lans ​ Partners /Collaborators ArchiAfrika ​ tags #magazines #african_architecture #urbanism Relevant projects African Architecture Education Network In the transition period between 2010 and 2012 – when the shift of the ArchiAfrika secretariat to Accra – Ghana was prepared, AAmatters took care of the editing, compiling and distribution of the then bi-monthly magazine in collaboration with Joe Addo and his team in Accra. ​ Documents available for download in the AAmatters online Library . back to the projects overview

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Coen Beeker seminar, publication and exhibition CategorY Event , Publication , Exhibition ​ Period 2016 - 2017 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers Iga Perzyna Antie Kaan Alexandra Papadaki Berend van der Lans ​ Partners /Collaborators African Studies Centre Leiden University of Amsterdam Delft University of Technology Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies Rotterdam Creative Industries Fund ​ Relevant links Order book ​ tags #exhibition #debate #urbanism #urban planning #placemaking #bottom up Relevant projects Institut fur Tropenbau Modern Architecture in Africa Ng’ambo Tuitakayo ​ Coen Beeker is an unsung pioneer in bottom-up and participatory approach to urban planning with over 40 years of experience in Africa. During an international seminar on 23 March 2017, organized in partnership with the African Studies Centre Leiden, the work and thought of Beeker was celebrated. A retrospective glance at his achievements and their benefits for contemporary and future urban planners was taken. The seminar featured speakers from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Zanzibar & the Netherlands. Also a travelling exhibition on Coen Beeker, Urban Fields: Coen Beeker at Work in the African City and a book The Beeker Method. Planning and Working on the Redevelopment of the African City: Retrospective Glances into the Future were launched. The book includes contributions from scholars and practitioners from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Zanzibar and the Netherlands and is available through the web shop of the African Studies Centre. ​ The exhibition travels to the University of Amsterdam, the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies in Rotterdam, Delft University of Technology and the Canadian Centre for Architecture after the presentation in Leiden. ​ The name of Coen Beeker may be unfamiliar to many; however, with increasing interest in urban Africa and the topic of urban planning on the continent, Beeker and his extensive work in several African countries deserves a more critical look. ​ Beeker’s work focused primarily on urban redevelopment projects in Ethiopia, Tunisia, Sudan and Burkina Faso, of which his involvement in the modernization process of Ouagadougou is perhaps the most notable. Beeker applied an approach to urban planning that was not only ahead of its time, but which has also proved highly successful. The Beeker Method, as we would like to call it, is, in essence, about redevelopment carried out by residents themselves, through a dynamic process of palavers and long community consultations, and planning and site work conducted with little interference from above. ​ The importance of community participation has been widely acknowledged in the current urban planning discourse. It is considered a fundamental prerequisite to fair and representative decision making in contemporary urban planning practices and the democratization of a process that was once in the hands of experts. Although there is considerable interest on the part of authorities and practitioners working in developing countries to apply bottom-up and participatory approaches, involvement of the poor and often disadvantaged groups in these processes remains difficult to achieve. ​ This contemporary reassessment of Beeker’s projects and the underlying principles of his approach aims to contribute to the current debate on urban planning in Africa. ​ Speakers on the seminar were among others Coen Beeker (University of Amsterdam), Joseph Guiébo (Former director of the Direction Générale de l’Urbanisme et de la Topographie, Ouagadougou and UN Habitat expert), Muhammad Juma (Director of the Department of Urban and Rural Planning, Zanzibar), Gilbert Kibtonré (Secretary General of the Ministry of Lands and Developemnts in Burkina Faso), Yolande Lingané (Direction Générale de l'Urbanisme et de la Topographie, Burkina Faso), Anteneh Tesfaye Tola (Doctoral Candidate, TU Delft). Document available for download in the AAmatters online Library . back to the projects overview

Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism - collective city - 2019 QR section Additional information and QR support Michenzani Blocks