Overall theme and context

In Africa and the rest of the world, cities can no longer be developed without the participation of residents, users, economic stakeholders, associations, experts, and operational staff. These people must be involved at every stage of the project, from design to implementation.

This paradigm shift in the way urban planning is considered and the associated reconfiguration of roles implies “new ways of doing things”, “doing with what we have”, and, above all, “doing things together”. Whether it be inviting stakeholder groups to participate in the co-construction process, organising participatory workshops, creating collaborative mapping resources, going out to meet residents and service users, or initiating tactical urban planning initiatives, innovative approaches are flourishing in various African countries. But what are the results and impacts? What is the role and place of local residents?

Learning objectives

• To highlight the different types and levels of citizen participation, from information sharing to co-decision making.
• To raise awareness and introduce city stakeholders in Africa to co-construction approaches and the frameworks needed to ensure their success.
• To identify the shift from traditional project management to project management as a moderator and facilitator

Teaching and activities

This 100% online and collaborative four-month course draws on a team of experts and actors from the field of participatory urban planning, people involved in the development process, and facilitators of collective intelligence. The programme alternates between: i) sharing experiences of participatory urban planning in different areas and contexts, and then drawing ideas and inspirations from these examples; and ii) collaborative workshops to explore, invent, put oneself in the place of others, and discover through play, collective intelligence, and creativity. It embraces different participatory approaches, methodologies, and tools.

Registration details

The course runs for two months, with collaborative online workshops. The next session will take place at the end of 2024. Call for applications coming soon.

Target audience

Stakeholders involved in regional planning and development in French-speaking Africa: local elected representatives, public and private sector leaders (management, technical services, development operators), urban planners, teachers, researchers, students, AFD staff.

Partners

Oecumene Spaces For Dignity and the Africa Innovation Network