Urban Development

"Three historic patterns of urban settlement are found in Africa. Monumental urbanism is characterised by substantial permanent structures in the stone, and was especially prominent in north, eastern and southern Africa, from Egypt and Eritrea to Zimbabwe. Satellite urbanism is characterised, in both early and later contexts, by collaboration between interlinked community clusters that together create and urban settlement structure. This type of settlement, which is normally identified with earthen structures, is found especially in West Africa, from Mali to northern and southern areas of Nigeria. Migratory or peripatetic urban settlements characteristically prevailed in central Africa, these cities sharing a relatively nomadic identity. Related cities were often re-established on a new site following the death of a ruler or a sequence of traumatic events. Many peripatetic cities were built of more ephemeral materials, such as raffia and bamboo, but were also associated with more permanent ritual sites, such as cemeteries. In some African urban contexts, several of these design attributes were at play, with local building materials providing unique possibilities for creativity."

By David Adjaye

Tropical rainforest

-Tropical rainforest is one of the oldest types of vegetation to have survived and is found in an area that extends from Guinea, in the north, to the basin of the River Congo in the south. 

-the climate in the rainforest has high humidity and little seasonal variation. 

-Temperature is typically 30C by day and 20C at night.

-the combination of high rainfall it high temperature and humidity encourages the growth of a dense evergreen forest, where different species of trees grow to different heights. Above the thick undergrowth the canopy is formed by trees that may be 60 metres tall. 

-Historically the forest has provided food and material support for the indigenous people who live there.

-Colonialism has played a major role in this part of Africa and the three main types of colonial city are Portuguese, British and French.

-tropical rains dominate the climate in this region of Africa.

-There is architecture of fertility in this area, an architecture that has to deal with the climate and at the same time is responsive to the specific conditions in different places.

-The roof architecture of freetown is a good example of the language of form that is necessary to deal with the heavy rains.

-You can also see it in the architecture of Monrovia where you have over hanging roofs everywhere, if you go there in the rain, you understand why certain forms and details are used in such consistent way.

-The architecture of Accra is dominated by big roofs that protect the other building elements from the worst of the weather.

DR Congo

The Republic Democratic of Congo, a land filled with resources that shapes our modern world. In a country of more than 65 million habitants, the Congo has emerged as one of the world’s most potent countries. The Congo’s political puissance is almost inconspicuous; it is however the business opportunity that keeps Africa’s second largest country alive. Industries such as diamond, gold, copper, cobalt, coltan and zinc mining are the reason of relevance.  Regardless of the mineral resources that attracts opportunists faster than an eye blink, the Congo is regarded economically languid, and in consequence has become one of the world’s poorest countries. This is a fact that echoes across Africa like scream in an empty hall. 

 

Many have catechized why such a rich country is incapable of nourishing its people. It almost seems like the mineral exploitations is failing the Congo, and there is no much yielding for the Congolese people as the economy keeps sinking like the titanic in a dark cold night. In addition to Congo’s financial outgrowth, there are a number of ethnic battles now raging for more than 35 years. In the east of Congo stands numerous UN peace keepers, mostly diploid from India and Pakistan in their blue helmet and tanks. The white muddy tanks resting in city of Goma signifies insecurity and instability, further destroying the economy, creating a strong recession that leads to inflation, and causing aggression within the population as they fight for possessions, slowing down progression as the destruction persists. 

Africa’s leaders can apprehend from the western civilisation. After the fall of Europe during the World War 2, differences were set aside and solutions were constituted. Strategically understanding the importance of rebuilding what was destroyed became important to them, as they formed the European Union (EU) which now consists of 28 member states. A political structure was effectuated in order to reconstruct what was destroyed and to help other European countries in turmoil. In boost of the EU created after the World War 2, six countries in 1952 signed the treaty of Rome which is an agreement that led to the founding of European Economic Community (ECC) on the 1^st of January 1958.  It was through this organisation that the European Atomic Energy Community was formed in co-operation with the European Economic Community to developing a nuclear energy. It is this sort of co-operation that has made Europe a powerful continent regardless of their geographical size.  This is the effort and desire the African leaders must have in order to make significant changes. The leaders of Africa must sing in harmony, walk choreographically in the same direction, and take imperative actions in co-operation with other leaders just as the Europeans did. These are the first steps that could prove preeminent economically and be the rise of Africa.