UNIVERSITY CHAIR PROPOSAL
"PLANNING SUSTAINABLE SIERRA LEONEAN CITIES"
The University as a critical agent to address the urban challenge in Africa
Staggering recent urban sprawl in the most deprived areas of the world is the biggest challenge faced by global habitability. Sub Saharan Africa will have 762,5 million new urban dwellers by 2050 according to UN-Habitat; a number that amounts to the total current population of Europe. The challenge is increased due to habitability deficiencies, scarce economic resources, lack of qualified personnel, weakness of the legislative framework, entrenched traditions and primary activities among other factors.
Big efforts in all levels are needed to face this coming reality, where the University is a key actor for training professionals and passing to action in partnerships with local authorities, civil society and other institutions.
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From this approach, San Pablo CEU University (Madrid, Spain) and the University of Makeni (Sierra Leone) together with Makeni City Council, have carried out a development cooperation project that focuses on the urban challenges of the city.
During the past years, several technical meetings and participatory working sessions have taken place in Makeni (July 2013, January 2014 and January 2016), involving key local actors. Workshops have also been held in Madrid, resulting in technical material essential for the strategic urban planning process.
In this context emerges the proposal of a new University Chair, Planning Sustainable Sierra Leonean Cities as a next step to strengthen the valuable gained experience, articulating knowledge and different approaches around 4 working areas: Training, Research, Implementation and Social action.
Working Areas and Main Contents
TRAINING
RESEARCH
- Educational training in urban planning, with a first course lectured at Makeni University by interdisciplinary experts.
- Multilateral approach from different subjects. Bringing together universities and related working groups.
- Workshops, meetings and working sessions in Madrid and Makeni.
- New communication tools.
- African cities observatory. Population database and mapping.
- References and case studies.
- Promoting technical networks and publications.
- Indicators for a quantitative analysis of the informal city.
- Ethnoarchitecture for innovation and low cost urbanization.
- Working areas: land management, infrastructures and vulnerability.
ACTION
- Urban and Territorial Planning. Strategic Urban Plan of Makeni in process.
- Sectorial plans (Infrastructures, vulnerability, landscape, cadastre, ...)
- New Sustainable Communities Programme.
- Neighborhood Upgrading Programme.
- Sustainable construction.
VOLUNTEERING
- Volunteer working trips and fieldwork.
- Approach grounded on local knowledge and practical experience.
- Development of social projects.
- Sensitazion, dissemination and social engagement.
- Networking.
- Training of volunteers and coordination from Madrid.