Episode 28: How DO Architecture Co-Designs for Dignity After Disaster | Omar Degan

What does it mean to rebuild with dignity after disaster strikes?

In this episode of Urban Limitrophe, we speak with architect Omar Degan, founder of DO Architecture and the Fragility Lab. Together, they explore how architecture can be a tool for healing, not just shelter — and how co-designing with communities leads to more just, resilient spaces in the aftermath of crisis.

Omar shares his journey designing in fragile contexts — from post-conflict housing in Somalia to consulting for the UN — and how his work challenges traditional top-down models of humanitarian aid. Instead of quick fixes, his approach centers culture, collaboration, and care.

You’ll learn how DO Architecture uses emergency design to center communities in fragile contexts, and why beauty, dignity, and belonging should never be seen as luxuries — even in disaster recovery.

Whether you're a planner, designer, changemaker, or curious listener, this conversation invites you to rethink how we rebuild, who we build for, and what’s possible when communities lead the way.

You can listen to the podcast on The Nurubian |  Spotify | Podchaser | Stitcher | Amazon Music | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

Guest: Omar Degan

Omar Degan is a professor of architecture and the Principal of Do Architecture Group, an architecture firm based between Somalia, Italy and the USA specialising in emergency architecture, post-conflict reconstruction and fragile contexts.

His firm's principle lies in designing culturally, historically and climatically relevant solutions to social problems worldwide, with a particular focus on the most fragile contexts and communities.

Omar obtained his Master in Architecture for Sustainability and Built Environment from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Polytechnic University of Turin ( Italy) where he also earned his Post-graduate degree in Emergency contexts and developing countries.

In 2022 he become an Obama Leader and in 2023 co-founded the FragilityLab, a research and non-profit organization that aims to support the process of peace and development through architecture in the most distressed areas of the world.

With a global portfolio spanning Asia, South America, and Africa, he has contributed his expertise to numerous projects worldwide. His extensive experience in the field of architecture has been instrumental in establishing an inclusive and professional architecture office. 

Learn more: DO Architecture and FragilityLab

Timestamps

• Forthcoming

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is supported by the Nurubian, the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. 

Support

• Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
• Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com or DM on social media!

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, best friend, babysitter, barber ... leave a review, or you can buy me a coffee here!

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop for upcoming episodes and opportunities to engage with guests and the show. 

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What's New in Season 2 of Urban Limitrophe?

Bold ideas. Real places. Powerful stories.

What do you build when the systems around you fall short?

That’s the question guiding Season 2 of Urban Limitrophe — a podcast about the people and places reshaping how we live together. This season, we journey across continents, through cities, and into communities — from Botswana to Nova Scotia, Tunisia to Togo, Greece to Côte d’Ivoire — to explore how everyday people are building more just, creative, and caring urban futures.

From continental water pipelines to post-conflict recovery, from food justice to Community Land Trusts (CLTs), Season 2 dives into the ideas and actions transforming cities across Africa and the diaspora.

We speak with architects, artists, activists, and changemakers — people who are not just imagining what could be, but building it with what they have. They’re growing food in crowded cities. Reclaiming land stolen from Black communities. Designing places of healing after crisis. And reminding us that innovation doesn’t always come in the form of shiny new tech — sometimes, it looks like trust, tradition, or a new way of gathering.

Why a New Season?

Season 2 marks a new chapter for Urban Limitrophe. It’s still rooted in thoughtful storytelling and grounded research — but it’s reaching wider, listening deeper, and connecting across borders more intentionally.

This season was made possible thanks to the support of The Nurubian and the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto — and the incredible voices who joined us along the way.

What to Expect

• Stories from cities and communities across Africa and the diaspora
• Conversations on innovation, land, housing, heritage, climate, cycling, and more
• Thoughtful interviews with planners, scholars, creatives, and community leaders
• Audio episodes available on all major platforms — and on the airwaves via MET Radio 1280AM in Toronto as part of our new segment, the Urbanist Radio Hour.
• Two new episodes in French!

Listen to the Season 2 Trailer

Ready for a preview of what’s ahead?

You can listen to the podcast on The Nurubian |  Spotify | Podchaser | Stitcher | Amazon Music | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Here’s to bold ideas, real places, and powerful stories — now and always.

And don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.

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Episode 27: How Civic Action Shapes Cities and What to Avoid When Building Megacities From Scratch | Dafe Oputu

The built environment is a reflection of political decisions. The officials you elect shape the environment around you. So, what happens if people don’t participate in the voting process?

In this episode, we delve into the critical intersection of civic action and urban development with our insightful guest, Dafe Oputu. We’ll explore the urban landscapes of Accra, Ghana; Cotonou, Benin; and Lagos, Nigeria, examining how trust and accountability in municipal governance shape these cities. We’ll discuss different cities' strategies to encourage public participation and civic action, and why voting is crucial for building better cities. Together we also unpack Africa's obsession with megacities, like Akon City and Eko Atlantic (and how to avoid creating ghost cities).

Key insights from the episode include:

• The importance of public participation and voting in shaping urban environments
• How colonial legacies continue to influence municipal governance structures today, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
• The strategies different cities are using to encourage public participation and civic action
• The implications of governance and public participation when attempting to build cities from scratch
• The concept of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and their impact within the African context

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify | Podchaser | Stitcher | Amazon Music | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

Guest: Dafe Oputu

Dafe Oputu is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto's Department of Political Science, specialising in democratisation and urban politics in West Africa. He is also the digital media coordinator for the Elite Africa Project, a research project highlighting African agency and leadership. 

Learn more: Twitter and LinkedIn

Timestamps

• Forthcoming

Show Notes

• Akon City
• Diamniado City
  
• Eko Atlantic
• Elite Africa Project
• Episode 21: How the Charter Cities Institute Promotes Inclusive and Adaptable Planning for Sustainable New Cities
• New Cairo
• The Blank Slate Fantasy: The Promise and Pitfalls of International Charter Cities
• Zombiescapes Africa's Megacity Addiction

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. 

Support

• Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
• Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com or DM on social media!

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, Architect, Athropologist, Acrobat ... leave a review, or you can buy me a coffee here!

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop for upcoming episodes and opportunities to engage with guests and the show. 

Read more »