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

November 30, 2024

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

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 ... and leave a review!

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.

How the Just Cities Project is Using 3D Modeling to Co-Design Smart Cities in Kenya | Titus Kaloki

October 24, 2024

What makes a city truly smart? Or just? The answer lies with the people.

In this episode, we explore the human-centric side of Smart Cities with our guest Titus Kaloki from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Kenya office. Through their Just Cities Project, Titus is on a mission to make cities both smart and just, leveraging technology to put people at the center of urban planning.

Titus and his team have been leveraging an innovative software called Urban Collective Design Environment (U_CODE) to achieve an 85% participation rate in their Just Cities Project in the KMC informal settlement in Nakuru City, Kenya. This process brings together local government, urban planners, and citizens to co-design the future of the city using 3D modelling software.

Join us as we dive into how this approach results in community-informed plans that conform to urban guidelines and zoning while saving time, money, and reducing frustration for all parties involved.

Key insights from the episode include:

The core principles of Smart Cities and how to make sure they remain inclusive and just
The foundational elements of Just Cities and the opportunities and challenges of making them a reality
How to use technology like U_CODE to enhance citizen participation and engagement in urban planning
Insights and advice on applying these principles and technologies in other urban contexts

Guest: Titus Kaloki

Titus Kaloki is a social justice champion with a keen focus on realizing just urbanization. He currently leads the Just Cities & Politics department at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Kenya office and has experience in enabling urban actors resolve challenges to provision and access to public goods and services in urban areas. He loves reading, travelling, community service and having a good laugh with friends!

Learn more: LinkedIn

Timestamps

Forthcoming

Show Notes

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, Zoologist, Zipline Instructor, Zero Waste Coordinator ... and leave a review!

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.

Urban Limitrophe Featured on Elite Africa Project's Database!

September 20, 2024

I am excited to announce that the Urban Limitrophe podcast is now featured on the Elite Africa Project's database! This is a fantastic opportunity to reach a wider audience and share more African-related content, helping to challenge stereotypes and misinformation about the continent.

About the Elite Africa Project

The Elite Africa Project's mission is to challenge academic and public perceptions of African elites as grasping and self-interested—a framing that perpetuates negative depictions of the continent and its peoples and draws on a simplistic understanding of power and how it is wielded.

Check Out the Elite Africa Project's Resources

I encourage everyone to explore the Elite Africa Project's extensive database, which features a wealth of resources, podcasts, and articles focused on African-related content. This platform is a valuable tool for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and diversity of the African continent.

Accessing this information is more important than ever, as it helps counteract the misinformation and stereotypes that often dominate discussions about Africa. By engaging with the content on the Elite Africa Project's database, you can contribute to a more informed and balanced narrative about Africa and its peoples.

Visit the Elite Africa Project

To learn more and access the database, visit: www.eliteafricaproject.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Urban Limitrophe. Together, we can promote a more accurate and positive understanding of Africa and its contributions to urban planning and innovation.

How Escrevivências Challenge Urban Planning Norms: Afro-Brazilian Communities’ Strategies for Reclaiming the Right to the City with Mayara Almeida de Paula

September 16, 2024

What if the true architects of our cities are not the government officials or urban planners, but the communities who live in them? In this episode, we dive deep into a provocative question: When governments fail to provide essential services like water and electricity, and communities step up to fill the gaps, who define the future of urban development?

We journey to Brazil to unravel the story of the 2001 City Statute, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at making cities more equitable. This innovative law, born from decades of activism and aimed at redistributing urban resources, has struggled with implementation challenges. My special guest, Mayara Almeida de Paula, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto and an expert in urban planning, will share her insights on how race, gender, and urban policies impact the lives of Black women in Brazil and how these factors either support or restrict their right to the city.

Key insights from the episode include:

Approaches to reparative planning in diverse contexts
Technologies of resistance and healing used by Black communities, particularly Black women, in response to state neglect
Incorporating escrevivências (counter-narratives) into urban research and practice
Key insights from Mayara's award-winning bachelor's thesis and documentary
The enshrinement of the "Right to the City" in Brazil's national legislation through the 2001 City Statute
Recommendations of other theorists to enrich city-building research, practice, and policy-making
And much more!

Guest: Mayara Almeida de Paula

Mayara is a Brazilian architect and urbanist who holds a master's degree in architecture and urban planning. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Planning at the University of Toronto and in her research, she explores the interplay between race, gender and urban planning.

Learn more: https://linktr.ee/mayarapaula

Timestamps

06:10 | Can you please introduce yourself and share a bit about who you are and the work that you do?
11:11 | Could you give us a glimpse into what life is like in the city of Maceió and what inspired you to delve into this topic?
18:43 | Could you elaborate on some key findings from your research and documentary?
26:01 | Can you provide an overview of your master's thesis titled 'Counter-colonialist Writings in Western-World Spatialities of Black Women,' including the technologies of resistance and healing used by the women you researched?
30:59 | Your thesis centers around the practice of “Escrevivências” or ‘counter-narratives’ coined by Conceição Evaristo. What are “Escrevivências” and why is taking a more storytelling-based approach to research, particularly around city-building, urban planning and architecture, important?
34:03 | What advice would you offer to others whether they are researchers or not, interested in adopting similar approaches in their work?
35:43 | Can you share insights from your PhD research regarding the agency of Black communities in city-building? How do Black women and individuals in urban neighbourhoods contribute to shaping the urban landscape, and what strategies do they employ (i.e. psychological and healing techniques)?
44:12 | How do Black women/Black people, in general, resist unjust urban policies and practices, and how can those listening actively participate in creating the ideal city envisioned by the women in your documentary (or their own version of an ideal city)?
47:06 | What are some other key considerations or reparative tools that planners should take into account to ensure that the voices and needs of marginalized communities are central to city planning initiatives?
48:53 | What’s next for you?
50:17 | How can people get in contact with you or learn more about your work or get involved?

Show Notes

Mayara’s Award-Winning Bachelor’s Thesis: Os melhores trabalhos de conclusão de curso em 2019 | ArchDaily Brasil
Mayara's Master's Thesis: Universidade Federal da Bahia: Escrevivências contra-colonialistas: em espacialidades Ocidente-mundo de mulheres negras
Mayara’s Documentary: Análise Interseccional da Vida Urbana: Cidade Ideal
The City Statute of Brazil: A Commentary
The Right to the City: Theory and Practice in Brazil by Abigail Friendly
What Is The Right to the City?

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

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

The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca.

To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca.

Support

Editor + 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, Veterinarian, Video Producer, Vice President ... and leave a review!

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.

Introducing the Good News Report: Share Your Impactful Projects!

September 04, 2024

At Urban Limitrophe, we believe in the power of positive storytelling to reshape narratives and highlight the incredible work happening across Africa and the diaspora. Part of our mission is to counter stigmatization and disrupt harmful narratives by celebrating the ingenuity, creativity, and resilience within our communities. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our new segment: the Good News Report!

What is the Good News Report?

The Good News Report is your opportunity to showcase the amazing projects and initiatives that are making a real difference in community-building and development across Africa and the diaspora. Whether you're tackling climate change, enhancing food security, pioneering innovative urban designs, or driving social change, we want to amplify your efforts and celebrate your successes.

How to Get Involved

We want to hear about the incredible work you're doing! Here’s how you can share your projects:

1. Tag Us on Social Media: Share your projects and pictures with us by tagging #UrbanLimitrophe on social media. Let the world see the impact you're making, and connect with others who are passionate about community development and urbanism.

2. Email Us Directly: Prefer to share your story via email? No problem! Simply send your projects and pictures to us at hello@urbanlimitrophe.com. We’re eager to learn about your work and explore ways to feature it.

Why Share?

By submitting your projects to the Good News Report, you have the chance to:

Be Featured in Our Content: Your project could be highlighted in an upcoming podcast episode, Instagram takeover, or newsletter. This is a fantastic way to reach a broader audience and inspire others with your work.
Celebrate Your Achievements: We believe in recognizing and celebrating the hard work and dedication that goes into community-building. The Good News Report is our way of shining a spotlight on the positive changes you’re creating.
Inspire Others: Sharing your story can motivate and inspire others to take action in their own communities. Your work could be the catalyst for even greater impact across Africa and the diaspora.

Let’s change the narrative—one good news story at a time!

Stay Updated: Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Want to stay informed about the latest Good News Reports, upcoming events, and opportunities across Africa and the diaspora? Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter! As a subscriber, you'll receive:

Exclusive Updates: Be the first to know about new episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and featured projects in the Good News Report.
Opportunities to Contribute: Learn how you can share your work, ideas, and insights with our growing community.
Curated Resources: Access valuable content related to urbanism, community development, and innovation across Africa and the diaspora.

Don't miss out—subscribe today and be part of a community that’s dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the positive stories within our global community.

Stay Informed and Connected: Sign Up for Our Newsletter!

August 29, 2024

Are you passionate about urbanism, community development, and the transformative potential of cities across Africa and the diaspora? If so, we have something special for you! Our newsletter is your gateway to staying updated, inspired, and engaged with the latest events, opportunities, and stories from the vibrant communities we serve.

Why Subscribe?

Here’s what you can expect as a subscriber:

1. Be in the Know About Upcoming Events & Opportunities From conferences and workshops to funding opportunities and community initiatives, our newsletter will keep you informed about events and opportunities that matter to you. Whether you're an urban planner, community leader, or someone deeply invested in the future of African cities and the diaspora, you'll always have the latest information at your fingertips.

2. Exclusive Sneak Peeks at Upcoming Podcast Episodes Love our podcast? Get early access to episode previews, behind-the-scenes content, and insider insights. We’ll share the stories and voices that are shaping urbanism across Africa and the diaspora, giving you a front-row seat to the conversations driving change.

3. Opportunities to Contribute Your voice matters! We’re always looking for contributors who are eager to share their experiences, insights, and ideas. Whether you have a story to tell, a topic you’re passionate about, or research you want to highlight, our newsletter and podcast offer platforms for your contributions. Find out about the Good News Report and how you can get involved.

4. Access to Resources on Urbanism in Africa and the Diaspora Stay ahead with curated resources, articles, and research related to urbanism across Africa and the diaspora. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, knowledge, or tools to drive change in your community, our newsletter will provide you with valuable content to support your journey.

Join Our Community

By subscribing to our newsletter, you're not just staying informed; you're joining a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about the future of African cities and the diaspora. Together, we can share knowledge, foster connections, and inspire action toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant future.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today, and let’s build something great together!

Subscribe Now

Stay connected, stay informed, and be part of the movement

Urban Limitrophe Featured on Radio Free Urbanism

August 26, 2024

We’re thrilled to announce that Urban Limitrophe has been featured in a new episode of Radio Free Urbanism! In this engaging and thought-provoking discussion, Alexandra, the host of Urban Limitrophe and one half of Untitled Planning, joins the Radio Free Urbanism gang to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our cities today.

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of urban planning, shedding light on critical topics that impact our daily lives:

Transportation Misinformation
Calgary BIA Baloney
Toronto's New Food Hall
The Tragic Acceptance of Deaths on Our Streets
and more!

Tune in to Radio Free Urbanism to hear the full episode, and don't forget to check out Urban Limitrophe for more in-depth discussions on the future of our cities!

Episode 24: How Think Tanger's Multicultural Approach Transforms Suburban and Urban Spaces | Amine Houari & Naziha Nasrin

August 15, 2024

The suburbs are often left out of urban planning conversations, but in many cities around the world as they become more and more diverse, they present interesting opportunities to explore strategies for multicultural planning, that bridge services between the city centre and often under-resourced peripheries and celebrate the distinct cultures evolving.

In this episode, we're headed to Tangier, Morocco. My co-host Naziha Nasrin and I speak with Amine Houari of Think Tanger, a non-profit cultural agency shaping Tangier's development through art, research, and collaboration. Together, we discuss crucial topics such as creative insurgency, planning in suburban contexts in Toronto (Scarborough) and Tangier (Bir Chifae), multicultural approaches to community development, and insights for other cultural planning organizations. Additionally, we offer advice for Western cities planning for diverse cultural contexts.

Key insights from the episode include:

Planning in multicultural cities and suburbs
The importance of people-centred practices to urban/suburban development
Think Tanger's StudioCity program and how it promotes dialogue, arts, city-building, and neighbourhood pride in Tangier
The foundational elements of Think Tanger's approach to fostering a more inclusive and engaged community
Exploring the colonial history of Tangier and its impact on the city's culture and built environment
How Think Tanger uses publications like their magazine MAKAN and their store KIOSK alongside residency programs to support the decolonization of arts and culture in the city
Crafting inclusive approaches that resonate with the unique cultural and historical context of a city
Strengthening cultural programming and development through strategic collaborations and financial support
Inclusive approaches to cultural planning

Guest: Amine Houari, Think Tanger

Amine Houari, born in Fez, and based in Tangier Morocco is a freshly graduated architect and a documentary photographer, with a deep passion for territoriality and urbanism.

Amine:

LinkedIn: Amine Houari
Instagram: @AmineHou.ari

Think Tanger

Website: www.think-tanger.com
Instagram: @think-tanger

Co-Host: Naziha Nasrin, Program Director of plazaPOPS

My name is Naziha and I am a recent graduate from the University of Toronto's Masters in Planning program. Prior to that, I also completed my undergraduate degree at UofT with a major in Public Policy and a double minor in City Studies and International Development. I'm very passionate about city building and my research interests particularly focus on public space, land use and cultural planning. My research focuses on creating inclusive and equitable public spaces for the Muslim community, particularly Muslim women in relation to prayer and multi-faith rooms and ablution stations in the public realm.

LinkedIn: Naziha Nasrin
Website: www.plazaPOPS.ca

Timestamps

01:44 | Introduction to Naziha, Scarborough, and plazaPOPS

12:27 | Can you please introduce yourself and share a bit about who you are and the work that you do?

14:10 | What is the Think Tanger and how was it created?

18:25 | Can you explain the different work that Think Tanger does, specifically your Studio City program?

27:45 | What does an inclusive approach to your work mean?

33:04 | What does a form of cultural planning look like for you? What are some barriers that your organization has faced when trying to establish new programs like Studio City?

40:07 | How do colonial influences whether French, Spanish, or Arab, affect communal expressions of art, culture, and planning practices in terms of how Think Tanger wants to move forward?

44:41 |Do you have any recommendations that Western cities like Toronto can implement to what Think Tanger is doing?

54:41 | What’s next for Think Tanger?/How can people get involved?

58:51 | Key takeaways from Naziha and Alexandra

Show Notes

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

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

To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca.

Support

Editor + 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, Upholsterer, User Experience Designer (UX/UI Designer), Urban Planner (👀) ... and leave a review!

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.

Watch the Documentary 'Nothing for Us, Without Us: Anti-Black Racism in Canadian City Planning'

August 05, 2024

Photo Credit: Shae Yearwood

I had the honour of narrating the School of Cities documentary, Nothing For Us, Without Us: Anti-Black Racism in Canadian City Planning. The full film is now available on YouTube, where you'll discover the challenges, opportunities, and communities working to make our cities more inclusive, vibrant, and just.

This docuseries delves into how anti-Black racism has been embedded in Canadian urban development, renewal, and gentrification policies. It emphasizes the exclusion of Black businesses, organizations, and leaders from decision-making processes, leading to an unequal distribution of services and resources. The series highlights how the reluctance to acknowledge anti-Black racism in urban planning creates the illusion that systemic injustices do not exist. It also explores the impact of real estate capitalism on displacing Black communities and showcases how Black leaders and organizations in Canada are creating space and opportunities for Black and marginalized communities to thrive.

Launch Event

In addition, I had the pleasure of joining a panel discussion with the city-builders featured in the film—Mapfumo Chidzonga, Kofi Hope, Cheryll Case, and Leighana Mais—hosted by Jamilla Mohamud in February 2023. We discussed insights from the movie, explored approaches for a more inclusive city-building sector, and celebrated the hard work of Black communities across the country in preserving their cultures and advocating for more inclusive policies and opportunities for future generations. This quote from Mapfumo Chidzonga from the event captures the essence of our discussion:

“Our collective effort to shed light on the systemic challenges of anti-Black racism in city planning is a testament to the power of collaborative action and community engagement.”

Photo Credit: Shae Yearwood

Watch the Video

Movie Description:
Black communities in Canada have been marginalized and undervalued by the planning and design of cities. The SofC docuseries 'Nothing for us, without us' explores the ways that anti-Black racism is embedded in the policies and practices of urban development, renewal and gentrification. Using Hogan’s Alley in Vancouver, Africville in Halifax, and Little Jamaica in Toronto as examples, it argues that Black businesses, organizations and leadership are missing from the rooms where planning decision are made, resulting in the unequal distribution of services and resources in urban areas.

Nothing for us without us is a film by Ricardo Lopez-McDonald, featuring Cheryll Case (Founder and Executive Director, CP Planning); Amina Yasin (Director, Hogan’s Alley Society & Co-Chair, Vancouver City Planning Commision); Kofi Hope (CEO & Co-founder, Monumental & Urbanist-in-Residence, School of Cities); Mapfumo Chidzonga (Senior Engagement Strategist, Government of Nova Scotia); Leighana Mais (Community Leader, Keele + Eglinton Residents Group). Narrated by Alexandra Lambropoulos (Urban Limitrophe / Untitled Planning).

social

Guest: Dafe Oputu

Timestamps

Show Notes

Acknowledgements

Stay in the loop!

Guest: Titus Kaloki

Timestamps

Show Notes

Acknowledgements

Stay in the loop!

About the Elite Africa Project

Check Out the Elite Africa Project's Resources

Visit the Elite Africa Project

Guest: Mayara Almeida de Paula

Guest: Mayara Almeida de Paula

Timestamps

Show Notes

Acknowledgements

Stay in the loop!

What is the Good News Report?

How to Get Involved

Why Share?

Stay Updated: Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Why Subscribe?

Join Our Community

Guest: Amine Houari, Think Tanger

Co-Host: Naziha Nasrin, Program Director of plazaPOPS

Timestamps

Show Notes

Acknowledgements

Stay in the loop!

Launch Event

Watch the Video

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