Creating Great Public Spaces in Three African Cities · 2019-01-21 · Of those spaces that do...
Transcript of Creating Great Public Spaces in Three African Cities · 2019-01-21 · Of those spaces that do...
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CreatingGreatPublicSpacesinThreeAfricanCities
SummaryReport
Reportpreparedby: KristieDanielProgramDirector,LivableCities,HealthBridgeDate:September4,2018
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TableofContents
Introduction.................................................................................................................3
CommunityEngagement..............................................................................................6
CapacityBuilding.........................................................................................................9
AwarenessRaising.....................................................................................................11
InfrastructureChanges...............................................................................................14
Policy.........................................................................................................................24
ProgressTowardsUltimateOutcome.........................................................................26
LessonsLearned.........................................................................................................27
Conclusion.................................................................................................................28
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IntroductionInAfrica-likeinmanyotherplacesintheworld–publicspacesareusedforpubliclife,commerceandinteraction.However,lackoffunds,planning,andmaintenance,aswellaspriorityformotorizedvehicles,hasturnedmanypublicspacesintounsafe,unforgivingandunconnectedplaces.Inaddition,manypublicspacesaredifficulttoaccess,especiallyforthoselivinginvulnerablesituations.ThisisespeciallythecaseforthecitiesofAccra,Ghana,Kampala,Uganda,andNiamey,Niger.Thereisasignificantlackofformalpublicspacesinthesecities,particularlyintheoutlyingareaswheretheslumsettlementsarelocated.Ofthosespacesthatdoexist,theyaredegraded,ofpoorquality,andunderconstantthreatofbeingdevelopedintootherpurposes.Inordertobeginaddressingthecriticalissueofpublicspaceswebeganworkingonaproject,fundedbyUN-Habitat,thatwouldimplementpilotprojectsinthe3citiesintendedtotestinnovativesolutionsfor:
• Conductingacommunityengagementprocessthatensuresapeople-centredapproachtothedesignofthespace;
• Engagingwomen,children,andthedifferentlyabledinthedesignoftheparks;• Includingmultipleusesthatmeetcommunityneeds;• Improvingaccesstothepublicspaces;• Developingcommunity-basedmaintenance;• Formalizingtheprocessofcitizenengagementintocitypolicies;• Raisingawarenessamongthepublicanddecision-makersregardingthe
importanceofpublicspaces;• Strengthenlocalandnationalpoliciesthatprotect,preserve,andenhancepublic
spaces.InAccra,GhanathelocalleadorganizationwastheMmofraFoundation,whoareexpertsinAccraoncreatingsafe,fun,andeducationalpublicspacesforchildren.Accra,likemostcitiesintheworld,isexpandingatarapidpace.Thepressureonthegroundinthemetropolistomakewayforurbandevelopmenttranslatesintothecuttingofage-oldtrees,andthetakingoverofplaygrounds,parks,waterways,andotheressentialcommunityresources.MmofraFoundationhasfoundthatcityauthorities'plansandthecompeting,uncoordinatedprioritiesofcitydwellers,vendors,commercialvehicles,privatedevelopersandotherscontributetotrafficjamsandcongestion,infrastructureandserviceschallenges,excludingrecreationalpublicspacesfromthedevelopmentpoliciesandignoringtheirimportanceintheshapingofsustainablecities.
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MmofrachoseTeshieParkandLibraryasthesitefortheirpilotproject.Thisisacommunityspacethatwasoriginallyaparkandlibrary,buthadbeenseverelydegradedandwasnowactingasadumpinggroundforrubbishfromthelocalmunicipality.Despitethelackofinfrastructureatthespaceandthepoorqualityofthespaceitself,thecommunityhadbeenprotectingthissiteformanyyears
andusedthespaceforcommunitycelebrations.InKampala,UgandathelocalleadorganizationwasAdvocatesforPublicSpaces(APS)whoformedin2016becausetheysawaneedforadvocacythatwouldcreatebetterstreets,parks,andmarketsinUganda.Kampalaisalsoexperiencingsignificantpressuresresultingfromincreasedpopulationanddemandforland.StudiesofpublicspacesinKampalashowthereisalackofformalpublicparksandopenspacesinthecity,particularlyinoutlyingareasandslumsettlements.And,ofthoseformalspacesthatdoexist,theyareoftenofpoorquality.Thishasledtopeopleusinginformalspacesthatarenotprotectedandprovideunsafeconditionsforthelocalpopulation.
APSchoseLukuliplaygroundasthesiteoftheirintervention.LukuliPlaygroundisinanareaofneedinthecity.Itislocatedinapoorcommunityandsuburbwherethehugerecreationalneedsoflocalresidentsarecompletelyneglected,asthestateoftheparkdemonstrated.LukuliPlaygroundserves12Parisheswithanapproximatepopulationof409,500.Thesiteisacommunityownedspaceandthecommunityhadbeenprotectingthesitefromdevelopmentformanyyears.
InNiamey,NigerthelocalleadorganizationwasPublicSpacesforAllwhohasbeenworkingonpublicspaceissues,includingstreets,parks,andmarketssince2014.Public
Picture1:TeshieParkbeforeintervention
Picture2:Lukuliplaygroundbeforeintervention
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spaceisagrowingissueinNigerbutnotonethathadreceivedmuchgovernmentattentioninthepast.DespitetherapidgrowthofthepopulationofNiamey,thereareonlysevenparksforcity.Andofthoseseven,onlytwoareoperationalwhiletheothersareunderrehabilitation.Thecityisindesparateneedofadditionalpublicspacesforresidents.
PublicSpacesforAllchoseanopenspaceinthesuburbofYantalaasthesitefortheirintervention.Thisspacewasdevoidofanyinfrastructurebutwasaspacefrequentedbythelocalcommunityandwasoftenusedasaspacetoplayfootball.Inaddition,aMosquewaslocatednexttothesite,whichwasseenasaidealcompaniondestinationforapublicspace.
Forthisprojectweused5strategies:1. CommunityEngagement2. CapacityBuilding3. AwarenessRaising4. InfrastructureChanges5. Policy
These5strategiesensuredwetookacomprehensiveapproachtothepilotprojects.Thisreportprovidesthesummaryforallthreeprojects.ForfulldetailsabouttheindividualprojectsvisittheProjectReportsontheHealthBridgewebsite:
https://healthbridge.ca/library/entry/creating-great-public-spaces-in-three-african-cities-accra-final-reporthttps://healthbridge.ca/images/uploads/library/Creating_Great_Public_Spaces_in_three_African_Cities_Niamey_report_final.pdf
Picture3:Yantalaopenspacebeforeintervention
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https://healthbridge.ca/library/entry/creating-great-public-spaces-in-three-african-cities-uganda-final-report
CommunityEngagementCommunityengagementwasacriticalelementforallthreeprojectsandprovidedthebasisforallinfrastructureimprovements.ThekeyactivityorganizedforcommunityengagementwastheMinecraftWorkshoporganizedbyUN-Habitat.Minecraftisacomputergameadaptedforuseasacommunityengagementtoolfordevelopingpeople-centredpublicspaces.Itisbestimaginedasacomplex‘digitalLego’thatallowscommunitymemberstobuildstructureswithinthegametogether.However,beforetheMinecraftworkshopcouldbeorganized,eachcityneededtoarrangeseveralcommunitymeetingswithlocalorganizations,localleaders,andlocalstakeholders.Thesemeetingsprovidedanopportunityforthelocalteamstoexplaintheimportanceofpublicspaces,outlinetheactivitiesandexpectedoutcomesfortheprojectandreceivelocalbuy-inforthestepsthatwouldbeneededtorealizethevisionofanimprovedpublicspace.Intotalthelocalteamsorganized19meetingswithover412participantsandwereabletorecruit42participantstoattendtheworkshop.
Picture4:CommunityengagementactivityinNiamey
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Followingthesuccessandmomentumcreatedfromthecommunitymeetings,eachcityorganizeda3-dayMinecraftworkshopwheremembersofthecommunityandlocaldecision-makerswereinvolvedincreatingdesignsfortheparksthatwerethenusedasthebasisforthefinaldesignapprovedbythecommunity.Intotal77participantsattendedthethreeworkshops,whichincludedrepresentativesfromthecommunity,citydepartments,andgovernmentofficials.ThecommunityreportedbackthattheyfoundtheMinecraftgameavaluabletoolforhelpingthemvisualizethechangestheywouldliketomake.
Inaddition,eachofthethreecommunitiesorganizedmeetingsfocusedonhowthepublicspaceswouldbemaintainedovertime.Maintenanceofpublicspacesisakeyissueasthebestspacecanquicklydeterioratewithoutregularcareandmaintenance.InAccratheprojectteamorganizedameetingwiththelocalMP,theResidents’Associationandotherkeystakeholdersandbusinessgroupsinordertodevelopaplantomaintainthespaceanddiscusswaysthesecondandthirdphasesoftheprojectcouldbeimplemented.InNiamey,alocalmanagementcommitteewasformedtooverseethemaintenanceofthesite.InKampalaaBoardofTrusteeswasreactivatedandagreedtoberesponsibleforthesite’smaintenancebyhiringalocalsecurityguardandplaygroundmanager.
Picture5:ParticipantpresentingMinecraftmodelinAccra
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Theresultsoftheseactivitiesincludedincreasedcommunityengagementinallthreecommunitiesandincreasedownershipofthespaces.Thisisevidencedbythecontributionofover72volunteerswhocontributed224hoursoftheirtimealongwithcommunitydonationsofplants,grass,andfacilities.Inaddition,KampalaCapitalCityAuthoritycontributed150seedlingstothesite.Thesecontributionsenhancedtheoverallprojectandhelpedcreateexcitementwithintheneighbourhoods.Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes KampalaOutcomes TotalsEstablishacommunityengagementprocessforthedesignoftheparksthatensuresparticipationofchildren,youth,womenandpeoplelivingwithdisabilities.
-4meetingshostedwiththeTeshie–NunguaEstateResidentsAssociation.-Between5and15communityparticipants-19communitymembersrecruited
-5meetingswithcommunity-378participants(238childrenand140adults,241malesand137females)-15Minecraftparticipantsselected
-5meetings-19participants-36participantsrecruited
-19meetings-412participants-42participantsrecruited
Organize3MinecraftWorkshopsinvolvingmultiplestakeholderstodevelopthedesignsofthepark.
-19participantsrangingbetweenagesof8and65
-27participantsrangingbetweenagesof15and65
-31participantstotalincluding25males,6females
-3Minecraftworkshopsorganized(3-dayslong)-77participants
Withcommunityinput,developaprocessforparkmaintenance,identify,who,what,where,whenandhow.
-1meetingorganized-participantsincludedresidents’association,localMP,MuslimAssociation,andotherstakeholders-4communitymembershavetakenresponsibilityformaintainingthepark
-1meetingorganized-Afive-membermanagementcommittee(3fromthecommunity,onefromthemunicipality1andonefromPublicSpacesforAll)wassetuptomanagethepark
-1PlaygroundBoardofTrusteesreactivated-TwomeetingsoftheBoardofTrustees-Onefacilityguardhasbeenhired-Amanagerisintheprocessofbeinghired-Privategroupsusingthespacearenowrequiredtopayfeestohelpmaintain
-4meetingsorganized-1ManagementCommitteeformed-1BoardofTrusteesformed-1guardhired-Feestructureforprivatefunctionscreatedtohelpfundmaintenance
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Results: - Increasedcommunityengagementinallthreecommunitiesthroughparticipationinthemeetings,theMinecraftworkshops,byofferingtheirtimeandresourcestodevelopthespaces
- Increasedcommunityownershipofthespaces- 72volunteerscontributed224hoursofvolunteertime(12youthvolunteersin
Niameyfor180hoursand60volunteersages3to84inAccrafor144hoursovertwoweeksofconstruction)alongwithvolunteertimeinKampalaforcleaningthesite
- Ghs1865wasdonatedinkindforparkelementsinAccrasuchasgrassandpaving
- CommunitycontributionsinAccraincludeduseofcomputerfacilitiesduringMinecraftworkshop,aloanedgeneratorandconstructiontoolsduringthebuild,accesstoaweldingworkshop,suppliesofwater,plants
- Donationof150treeseedlings,afuelledtractor,andstafftode-siltandcleanthedrainageareabycityauthorityinKampala
- Reductionofrubbishandgarbageinallthreesites
CapacityBuildingCapacitybuildingwasanimportantcomponentofourprojectandwasimplementeddifferentlyineachofthecommunities.InNiamey,theyconsideredthecapacitybuildingandpolicyelementsoftheprojectacriticalstartingpointtoimprovepublicspaces.Eightmeetingswithover27officialswereorganizedwherepublicspaceswerediscussed,informationabouttheirimportanceshared,andlinkagesbetweenothercityandnationalpriorityissueswasmade.Inaddition,thelocalteamfeltthataworkshopwouldbeanappropriatewaytofollowuponthe1:1meetingsandwouldhelpimprovethecapacityamongdecision-makers.PublicspacesisaverynewissueforgovernmentofficialsinNiameybutinterestwashighamongbothnationalandlocaldecision-makers.Asaresult,3workshopswereorganizedwith39decision-makerswheresomeofthemoretechnicalaspectsofimplementingpublicspacesprojectswasdiscussed.Theofficialsindicatedthattheircapacitywasimprovedasaresultoftheirparticipationandanimportantresultoftheseworkshops(alongwithapolicyworkshop)wasacommitmenttoincludepublicspacesintheupcomingrevisionoftheNationalStrategyonUrbanDevelopment.AworkshopwasnotconsideredthemosteffectivewayofdeliveringcapcitybuildinginbothAccraandKampala.InAccra,itwasfeltthataworkshopwastoosoonintheprocessandthatitwouldbebettertoexploreaworkshopafterthepilotwascompletedandfurtherresearchonthequantityandqualityofthepublicspaceenvironmentcouldbeconducted.InKampala,aworkshophadbeenorganizedpriortothestartoftheprocessandcityofficialswerealreadywellawareoftheimportanceofpublicspacesandthenecessaryelements.Inbothcities,1:1meetingswithofficialswereorganized
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insteadasawayofgarneringgovernmentsupportandtheseofficialssentgovernmentrepresentativestotheMinecraftworkshopandcommunitybuildinordertobetterunderstandthewaysthatmeaningfulcommunityparticipationcanbeorganized.Intotal,5meetingswereorganizedwith2electedofficialsand5bureaucrats.
Finally,bothAccraandNiameyorganizedtrainingsandcapacitybuildingactivitiesforcommunitymembersfocusedonbothparkdevelopmentandparkmaintenance.InAccra,2daysofvolunteertrainingswereorganizedtosupportvolunteersinparticipatingintheparkbuildwith30communitymembersparticipating.IntotalAccrahadover60volunteershelpwiththeircommunitybuild(asreportedabove)andthesetrainingshelpedprovidethefoundationsforthatsuccess.InNiamey,the2workshopsorganizedweremorefocusedonthemaintanenceoftheparkwith18peopleinattendance.Theresultsofthecapacitybuildingactivitiesincludeincreasedcapacityandcommitmentofthecommunityandelectedofficialsindevelopingandmaintainingpublicspaces.Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes Kampala
OutcomesTotals
Organizeaworkshopwithgovernmentofficialsatthefederalandlocallevel.
Noworkshopsorganizedasitwasfelttobetooearlierintheadvocacyforsuchaworkshop-2officialsfromtheMunicipalAssemblytookpartintheMinecraftWorkshop
-3workshops-39decision-makersincluding:- Ministryofthe
City(18)- Ministryof
Housing(3)- Ministryof
Environment(2)
- MunicipalitiesofNiamey(16)
Nocapacityworkshopswereorganized.-2KCCAofficialswereassignedtotheprojectandattendedthecommunitymeetings
-3workshops-39decision-makers
Picture6:MeetingwithYantalaChief Picture7:MeetingamongLukuliTrustees
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Meet1:1withofficials.Preparedocumentsfordistribution.
-2MeetingsorganizedwiththeMemberofParliamentLedzokuku-KroworConstituencyandhisstaffwheretheparkissituated-Gavehisfullcommitmenttothefurtherdevelopmentofthepark
-Distributed450advocacydocuments-8Meetingsorganized-27participantsfromtheMinistryoftheCityandUrbanSanitation,theHighofficeforNiameynice“NiameyNyala”,TownHallandthe5municipalitiesofNiamey
3meetings-4KCCAofficialsinthelandscapingdepartment-1DivisionMayorIncreasedsupportfromKCCA-1officialassignedtorepresentKCCAontheBoardofTrustees
-13meetings-4electedofficial-30bureaucrats
Organizetrainingswithlocalcitizensregardingparkmaintenanceanddevelopment.
-2daysofvolunteertrainings-30communitymembersparticipated-4communitymembershavetakenovertheinterimmanagementofthepark.
-2trainings-18participants-18citizenshaveindicatedtheircapacityhasincreased
-Notrainingsprovided.However,thecommunityhasalreadyinstitutedsomefacilitycaretakingactivities
-4trainings-48participants-increasedskillsneededtodevelopandmaintaintheparks
Results: -Increasedcapacityandcommitmentofcommunityandelectedofficialsindevelopingandmaintainingpublicspacesincluding:
-InAccra,theMunicipalAssemblyhelpedpreparethesite;theparkdevelopmentprocesshelpedincreasetheskillsoflocalartisansindelivering“non-traditional”designs;theparkdevelopmentprocessalsoresultedinchallenginggenderstereotypes,increasedunderstandingoftheimportanceofproperlitterdisposal,andincreasedunderstandingandownershipofthepark.-InNiamey,governmentofficialsarecommittedtoworkonpolicybyincludingthepromotionofpublicspacesinthenewNationalStrategyofUrbanDevelopment.Also,beforethat,theypromisedtorehabilitatethecurrentparksandcreateothersparksandtheyarerespectingtheirpromise.-InKampalathe1:1meetingswithgovernmentofficialsandtheirparticipationintheprocesshelpedeasetensionsbetweenthecommunityandofficials.
AwarenessRaising
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Thelocalteamsinitiatedawareness-raisingactivitiesasawayofincreasingtheinterestintheprojectsandtheinterestinpublicspacesamongthegeneralpopulation.InKampalaandNiamey,thelocalpartnersdidnotinitiateanyawarenessraisingactivitiesontheirownbutratherbuiltthoseactivitiesintotheotherstrategies.Muchofthecommunityengagementworkalsohadtheeffectofraisingawarenessamongthecommunityofpublicspaces.ThisresultedinchangesintheperceptioninthecommunityaboutthefacilityinKampala.Initiallythefocuswasmostlyonfootballbymen.Withtheinclusionofachildren’splayspaceandplantingoftreesforshadetheplaygroundisstartingtotransformintoapark.Parentsandsmallchildreninparticularbegantoseethespaceasbelongingtothemaswell.InAccra,thisprojectbecamethestartingpointforayear-longpublicawarenessdrive,withthegoalofeventuallyhostingaforumtargetinghighlevelpolicymakers;communitybasedeventsanddiscussionwouldservethepurposeofbuildinginterestinthetopic.Itwastheteam’sintentiontousetheirexistingcommunityconnectionstoignitethepublicspacesdialogue,aimedatpolicymakersandthegreatercommunity.Theaimwastobeginwithsmallerinitiativeswithgreatpresence,workinguptolargerevents/discussions;visibleinterestfromthepublicwouldservetodrawtheattentionofpoliticiansandpolicymakers,allowingMmofratolobbythemtoplacepublicspacemakingasapriorityinfuturedevelopmentplans.TheresultwasincreasedawarenessamongthecommunityandpolicymakersonpublicspacesgenerallyandTeshieChildren’sParkmorespecifically.Theactivitiesalsoresultedinthestreamliningofintentionsandgoals,whichwillservetobolstertheargumentforprioritisingpublicspacemakingatpolicylevel.
Picture8:TwitterchatseriesinAccra
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Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes KampalaOutcomes TotalsOrganizecommunityawarenesscampaigns
-1meeting(PaneldiscussionatMmofraPlace)-2TwitterChats
Communityawarenesswasincludedinthecommunityengagementactivities.
Communityawarenesswasincludedinthecommunityengagement.
1meeting2TwitterChats
Conductmeetingswithjournalists.
2meetings2journalistsparticipating2mediaevents
3meetings10journalistsparticipating5mediaevents
Nomeetingsorganized
5meetings12journalists7mediaevents
Preparepressreleases.
1pressrelease3mediainstances
1pressrelease19mediainstances
Optedtowaitforthecompletionofthestructuresfirst.
2pressreleases22mediainstances
Results: -Increasedawarenessamongthemediaandthepublicaboutpublicspacesandtheirimportance.-Increasedinterestinthetopicamongmedia-Increasedinterestinthenewlydesignedspaces-ChangesinperceptionamongthecommunityinKampalaabouttheappropriateusesofpublicspaces
Picture9:TalkingSpacesSeriesinAccra
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InfrastructureChangesInfrastructurechangewasthecoreactivityfortheprojectandbroughttolifetheideasandneedsofthecommunity.InthecaseofAccra,thesitewasoriginallyapublicspacethathadbeenabusedbythemunicipalbody(LEKMA)andotherparties,whichresultedinthelandbeingusedasadumpinggroundforrubbish,theLEKMA’sconfiscateditemsfromthesurroundinglocality,andconstructionmaterials.Theinfrastructurechangesincluded:clearingthesite;addressingstormwaterdrainage,water,andwastedisposal;securingtheperimeterbyusingatireandpalletfencing,meshfencing,chickenwirefencing,andpalletfencing;constructingplaycomponentsincludingmonkeybars,swings,tireclimbers,sandpits,timberwalker,Aframes,blackboards,toddlerplatform,playbench,shadedseating,bamboomaze,andhopscotch.Theresultsoftheinfrastructurechangeswereanincreasednumberofusesofthesiteaswellasincreasednumberofusers.Inaddition,LEKMAisslowlybeingremovedfromthesite.
Picture10:ParkConstructioninAccra
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Picture11:ParkBuildinAccra
Picture12:Finishedchildren’sparkinAccra
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Picture12:ChildrenplayingintheirnewparkinAccra
Picture13:HandwashingstationinAccra
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InNiger,problemswiththefirstsitewereencounteredwhentheMayor’swererecalledbythePresidentandthenewMayornolongerwishedtousethesiteasapublicspace.ThisledtoamajorsetbackfortheprojectbecausetheMinecraftworkshophadalreadyoccurredandthesitehadalreadybeendesigned.However,municipalofficialswerepartoftheinitialawarenessraisingandMinecraftworkshopandwereexcitedbytheproject.Theybecameinstrumentalinidentifyingasecondsitethatwasonly200mawayfromtheoriginalprojectsite.Thissecondsitewasanopenspacebeingusedbythecommunityforrecreationalpurposes.However,itwasnotconsideredaformalpublicspaceandtherewerenofacilitiesorequipmenttoaidthecommunityintheiractivities.Theinfrastructurechangesincluded:definingtheparameterofthesiteusingtirescolouredwiththecoloursoftheNigerflag;levellingthesite;constructionoftoilets;constructionofshadedareas;plantingtrees;constructionofafootballpitchandpetanqueground;constructionofachildren’splayspace;andaddressingwastedisposalandwateravailability.Theresultsoftheinfrastructurechangearethatnowmoreplayersfromthecommunityarecomingtousethespacenowthatthereisadesignatedfootballandpetanquearea,morewomenareusingthesitebecauseoftheshade,andmoreschoolchildrenareusingthesitebecauseoftheplayground.
Picture14:ParkBuildinNiamey
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Picture15:NewtoiletfacilityinNiamey
Picture16:NewtreeinNiamey
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InKampala,thespacechosenwasanexistingplayground,ownedbythecommunity,thatwasbeingusedpredominantlybyadultmalesinthecommunitytoplayfootball.Thecommunityprioritizedtoiletconstruction,theneedtostopthefloodinginthepark,andtheneedtoaddresstherubbishdumpinginthepark.TheinitialtoiletstructurewaspresentedtoKCCAandincludedabasicdesignthatwasaccessibleforpeoplelivingwithdisabilitiesbutwasexpandedbythecityinordertobetteraccommodatemorepeopleusingthesite.Infrastructurechangesincluded:sitedrainagefixed;anetballcourtadded;footballpitchlevelled;abuildinghousingtoilets,changerooms,andacaretakersoffice(stillbecompleted);plantingtreeseedlings;andachildren’splaygroundthatincludedamerry-go-round,sandpool,woodenswings,benches,woodcars.Althoughnotinnovativeforothercommunities,includingachildren’splayspaceprovedtobeaninnovationforthiscommunityandonethathasresultedinincreasedenjoymentfortheyoungerchildreninthecommunity.Thesechangesresultedinadramaticincreaseinthenumberofpeopleusingthesite:100communitymembersbeforeand300after;20womenbeforeand50womenafter;and30childrenbeforeand80after.
Picture17:Multi-purposeplaygroundinNiamey
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Picture18and19:BuildingtoiletandchangeroomfacilityinKampala
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Picture20and21:Netballcourtre-seededinKampala
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Picture22:Children’splayspaceinKampala
Picture23:ChildrenplayinginKampala
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Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes KampalaOutcomes TotalsOrganizeandimplementparkimprovementssuchasgroundlevelling,equipmentrepair/construction,shelter,toilets,andwatertaps.
17parkimprovements- 12play
components- 5major
infrastructureimprovements
10+innovativeideassuggested4innovativeideasimplemented:- Perimeter
fence- Outdoor
readingarea- Multipurpose
sportspitch- Play
componentchoices
9parkimprovements- 4sheds- 2toilets- 2grounds
(football&petanque)
- 1children’splayground
8parkimprovements-1buildinghousingtoiletsandchangingroomsandcaretakersoffice(stilltobecompleted)-1NetballcourtSitedrainagefixedFootballpitchedlevelled-150TreeSeedlingsplanted-1children’splaygroundincluding:1Merrygoround1Sandpool4Woodenswings8Benches5Woodcars
34parkimprovements
Organizeaparkopeningceremonytoillustratethedifferentcomponentsofthepark.
1event(pending)
Theparkopeningceremonywasorganizedbythecommunity(petanqueplayersandthegroupofMuslimwomen)136participants:-Municipality:5-Petanqueplayers:12-GroupofMuslimswomen:42-Nationalfederationofpetanque:3-Community:74
1event(pending)
1openingceremony136participants
Results: -Increasednumberofusesandusersofeachsite:- InAccra,thelocalteamincreasedthenumberofusesbyincludingplacestosit
andaplayground.Thisincreasedthetypesofusersatthesite.Asaresultoftheinterventionsthesitenowhasvendorscateringtotheincreasednumber
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ofusers,schoolchildrenafterschool,forplayandaplacetodotheirhomework,andcommunitymembersseekingsomewheretosit,particularlyatlunchtimeandintheevenings.
- InNiamey,thelocalteamincreasedthenumberofusesbyincludingshadedplacestosit,andaplayspaceforchildren.Sincetheintervention,thetypesofusershasincreasedwithmoreschoolchildrenusingthesiteafterschool(32children),vendorssurroundingthepark,andwomensittingundertheshadeusingthespaceforstudy(20).
- InKampala,thelocalteamincreasedthenumberofusesatthesitebyincludingaplayspace,andaddinganetballcourt.Thishasincreasedthenumberofusersasnowchildrenandwomenhaveactivitiesandsafeplace.Beforetheintervention100communitymembersusedtheplaygroundandcurrentlythereare300residentsthatusetheparkdaily.Beforetheintervention,20womenwereusingtheparkandwiththeadditionoftheNetballcourt,50womenarevisitingthesitedaily.Priortotheintervention,30childrenwerevisitingthesitetoplayfootballbeforetheoldermemberswouldtakeover.Now,over80childrenvisittheplayspacedaily.Therewerenopeoplewithdisabilitiesusingtheparkbeforetheintervention.Thechildren’splayspacehasattracted5childrenwithdisabilitiesthusfar.
PolicyPolicytakestimetoimplementandthisprojectwasoneofmanyactivitiesthatthelocalleadorganizationsareundertakingtoimprovepolicyforpublicspaces.However,thisprojectonitsowncouldnotrealisticallyachieveapolicyobjective.Ithas,however,providedeachcitywithanexampleofahowaparkcanbedevelopedusingacommunityengagementapproach.InAccratheoverallobjectiveofthepolicyadvocacywastogetthepolicymakersonboardwiththeinitiative,thusgrantingaccesstotheirresourcesandensuringthatthecreationandmaintenanceofpublicspacesisincludedinfuturedevelopmentplans.TheMPhasindicatedhissupportandhasagreedtosupporteffortstolobbyotherdecisionmakers.InNiger,policyadvocacywasamajorcomponentoftheirprojectandtothatend,theyorganizedapolicyworkshopthataddressednationallevelpoliciesthatcouldbeimplementedbythegovernment.ThisworkshopwashighlysuccessfulandthedepartmentresponsibleforrevisingtheNationalStrategyforUrbanDevelopmenthasagreedtoincludepublicspacesintothatplan.AspartoftheeffortstoencourageimprovedpolicyinKampala,theareamayorwasinvitedthroughlocalcouncillorstoinspecttheproject.Theobjectivewastointeresthimandmembersofhisstafftobuyintothepreservationofpublicparksandplayareas.Onarrivalthemayorinspectedtheincompletestructure,thechildren’splayareaandnetballcourt.Heappreciatedtheworkdoneandsuggestedvariousmeasurestoimprovethefacility.Theresultofthis
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meetingwasimprovedunderstandingamongtheareamayorandhisstaffandapotentialadvocateforfutureworkinthiscommunity.
Resultsfromthepilotprojectsalongwiththemeetingsorganizedwithdecision-makersleadustobeoptimisticthatbothnationalandlocallevelsofgovernmentarenowmoreinterestedinpublicspacesandareamenabletohavingpublicspacespolicydiscussions.Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes KampalaOutcomes TotalsOrganizemeetingswithdecisionmakers
-2formalmeetingswithlocalMP-2decision-makers
-1workshop-11decision-makers
-1sitevisitfromareamayor
-2meetings-1workshop-1sitevisit-14governmentofficials
Results: -increasedcommitmentfromdecision-makerstocreate,protect,andenhancepublicspaces-InAccra,thelocalMPhasmadeapublicstatementcommittinghisofficetotheinitiative,offeringsupportinlobbyingotherpolicymakers.Inaddition,effortstoconnectthecommunitytodecisionmakershasresultedincollaborationbetweenthegovernmentandTeshieResidents’Associationandaseparateprojectbetweenthegovernmentandalocalbusiness.-InNiamey,therehasbeen2publicstatementsfromgovernmentofficialsabout
Picture24:PolicyworkshopinNiamey
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theircommitmenttodeveloppublicspaces.Inaddition,theministryinchargeofpublicspacespromotioncommittedtoincludepolicyaboutpublicspacesinthenewNationalStrategyofUrbanDevelopment.-InKampalatherewerenospecificpolicyresults.However,theareamayorisnowanadvocateandhewillbehelpfulinourfuturefundraisingendeavours.Inaddition,KCCAisinterestedinseeingthecommunityengagementprocessappliedtoadifferenttypeofpublicspace.
ProgressTowardsUltimateOutcomeTheultimateoutcomewewishedtoworktowardsachieving,forwhichourprojectcontributedwas“improvedlocalpolicies,plansanddesignsforsafe,inclusiveandaccessiblepublicspacesforallwhichsupportsmorecompact,integratedandconnected,sociallyinclusivecitiesandneighbourhoodsinpartnercities.”Indicatorsthatwearemovingtowardsachievingtheultimateoutcomeinclude:- Theprojectsarealreadybeingconsideredasabestpracticeincommunity
engagementandpublicspaceimprovementandarebeingexaminedbyothercommunitiesinthecities.Thosecommunitieswantthesamemodeltobeusedintheirareas.Havingothercommunitiesandothercommunitygroupsinterestedinreplicatingtheworkincreasesthelikelihoodofpolicychange.
- Localchildreninallthreecitiesbeganusingtheparksbeforeconstructionwascompleted,whichspeakstotheneedforsuchaspaceintheseareasandothers.Thattheyandtheirparentsbeganpatronisingitassoonaswaspossiblealsospeakstotheparksbeinganinclusiveandaccessiblepublicspaceasintended.
- TherehasbeenfavorablecommitmentofthegovernmentandmunicipalofficialsinpromotingpublicspacesinNiger.DespitethedesignationofanewMinisterinchargeofurbandevelopmentafterourprojectbegan,thetechnicalcommitteethatformedtointegratepublicspacesinthenewNationalUrbanStrategywillstillestablishedaspartoftheagendaoftheMinistryfor2019.Also,sevenmunicipalitiesoutsideofNiameyarereallyinterestedinpromotingpublicspaces.Currently,thegovernmenthasundertakentherehabilitationand/orconstructionofparksinNiamey.
- Eachsitesawimportantvolunteercontributionsincludingbyprovidingbothtimeandresourcesaswellasbyattendingmeetingsandsittingoncommitteesandboards.Thissuggeststhatpublicspacescanactasacatalystforcommunityinvolvementandcitybuilding.
- Ineachsitethecommunityisenjoyingthespaceimmensely.Thisspeakstotheimportanceofpublicspacesincontributingtolivablecities.
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Theseindicatorssuggestthattheseprojectshavecontributedandwillcontinuetocontributetoourultimateoutcome.
LessonsLearnedTheprojectswereambitiousandinmanycasestheprojectswereafirstforthecommunitiesthatwereinvolved.Asaresult,wehavemanylessonswecansharewithothercommunitieshopingtoembarkonasimilarprocess:- TheMinecraftworkshopprovedtobeaninnovativeandexcitingwayforcommunity
memberstoengageindevelopingtheirownpark.However,Minecraftshouldnotbethe only community engagement activity. Community meetings before and afterMinecraftareequallyasimportantinordertoensurethattheplanstrulyreflecttheneedsofthecommunity.
- Itisimportanttodeveloprealisticbudgets.AgoodexamplewasinKampalawherethemainpriorityforthecommunitywasthetoiletfacilityanditwasbelieved,wheninitially decidingon this priority, that the fundswouldbe sufficient.However, theinitial plans for the toilet facilitieswhere expanded to include change rooms, thefunds available were no longer sufficient. The community decided not to changecourseandtocontinuetobuildtheirstructure.However,inhindsight,perhapsmoretime and discussionwas needed to determinewhether the funds availablewouldhave been better spent on other priorities. As a learning for other projects, it isimportanttobereallyclearaboutwhatbudgetisavailableandensurethatprojectsare not undertaken that are beyond the scope of the available funds unlessfundraisingeffortsarealreadyunderwayanditclearwheretheadditionalfundswillbecomingfrom.
- Delaysarecommoninsuchprojectanditisthereforeimportanttomaintainthecommunity’sfaithandoptimismevenwhendevelopmentswerenotvisible.Itisimportanttobetransparentwiththecommunityaboutintentionsforthesite.
- Ensurealllocalandgovernmentleadersareapproachedandengagedindependently,aswellasinvitedtoplanningmeetingsbeforeconstructionbegins.Theseleaderscanhelpmovethingsalongwhendelaysoccur(aswasthecasewithAccraandNiamey).But,itisalsokeythatallleadersareconsultedbecauseoftenitisthetraditional(asopposedtoelectedorgovernmental)carryamoralweightinthecommunitythatshouldnotbeunder-estimated.
- Expecttheretobeunexpectedobstaclesthatwillneedtobeover-come.InAccrathemainobstaclewaswaterleakagefromthemainwaterpipe.InNiameythemainobstaclewasrelatedtoneedingtochangesitesmorethanhalf-waythroughtheproject.Obstaclescanoccurformanyreasonsandtheprojectteamwillneedtobeabletoproblemsolvepossiblesolutionswiththecommunity.
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ConclusionThese projects have already, in their short time, achieved many important resultsincluding increased awareness about the importance of public spaces, increased parkusage, increased trust among the community and government officials, increasedcommunity engagement, and increased ownership by the community of their publicspace. The foundations for sustainable parks have been laid. The communities havebeenencouragedtotakeownershipoftheirprojectsfromtheoutset,throughconstantdialogue and participation. The public spaces will be used as a case study for futurecommunity-led projects and engagements and will provide the foundation for ourevidence-based advocacy campaigns for public space policy improvement in Accra,Kampala, and Niamey. Mmofra Foundation, Public Spaces for All, and Advocates forPublicSapcesarecommittedtoanchoringandleadingadvocacywithpolicymakersonpublicspaceinAccra.