Overall theme and context

Secondary cities are key factors in the reorganisation and rebalancing of territories. Their potential is a decisive factor in the development of the African continent. They form an important interface with rural areas and play a major economic role at regional levels. Yet these cities often suffer from a lack of services and facilities. They are also undergoing intense changes.

Learning objectives

• To help stakeholders develop a global and systemic understanding of their territory.
• To integrate the question of time spans into the urban planning process, using techniques related to a literacy of the future.
• To create new ways of imagining secondary cities in Africa by combining urban planning, innovation, artistic creation, and a responsive approach.
• To develop, programme, experiment with, and create prototypes for high-impact solutions in an interdisciplinary manner while encouraging networking through the development of an active community of programme participants.

Teaching and activities

The programme includes a learning tour to a model city (an adapted and responsive approach, exploration of local models, etc.), an independent learning expedition (investigative work, benchmarking), a workshop in Marseille (design fiction, backcasting, prototyping, etc.), mentoring, and coaching.

Registration details

The course lasts five months, including two weeks of face-to-face training in the test city. This programme is closed for the moment, more information coming soon.

Target audience

Stakeholders in transitions in intermediate cities (architects, elected representatives, managers, entrepreneurs, artists, etc.) and AFD staff.

Partners

Ateliers de Cergy, Institut des Futurs Souhaitables