In this blogpost I'll be taking the reader backwards in time to a favorite story of mine, 6 years to be exact. The reason is simple, historiography: in hindsight, so much of the depth and breadth of a design problem are more clearly and logically described and brought to the light of reasoning.
I published an article for the World Architecture Community in 2018 that highlighted the winning project of a design competition. That article can be read here. TL;DR, the project exemplified the amazing use of universal design tools for a very specific site in East africa that aimed to intensify the economic activity of small scale farmers in the region. It is an evergreen story. 6 years on, the themes of ecology, life-cycle design and food have become enduring curiosities of mine.
New perspectives I've gained since this time shed light on the finer points of this project. From the earlier questions about modernity and development I held, essential principles of social justice and innovation make 2 factors about the project stand out.
Intensifying support for African Women's political agency
The striking artistry made by the polish designers could not have had the uncompormising sense of change it has without the fantastic representation of black African women mobilizing in the Forest-Savannah mosiac of Eastern Africa.
Dr. Florence Odiwuor has penned an brilliant article here with the Wilson Center that speaks to the finer points of centering this identity in contexts of the food system and institutions that regulate access to land usage.
The Emergent AI-powered capabilities
AI technology is enabling imporvements in agricultural process automation. Supply chain optomization - iProcure Kenya, for example - AI can optimize supply chain logistics, helping farmers reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access, and obtain better prices for their produce. AI-powered platforms can facilitate seamless coordination between farmers, aggregators, processors, and distributors, streamlining the agricultural value chain and enhancing efficiency.
As with the leapfrogging afforded by digital money transfer software and technology, Drone technology is well posed to offer the leapfrog in the livelihoods of Small holder Africans Farmers. Combining aeronautics and robotics, the development of drone capabilities is a great benefit to both the supply side and the demand side of this growing economy. Mohamed Shawky, founder of GIS Drones who services are based in the UAE and the West Asia region, writes that Drones bring the advantage of a paradigm shift. The kind challenges they face are not vastly different frfom sub-saharan Africa. increasing desertification means that we more than ever will rely on solutions from semi-desert regions.
These points delineate that much of anyone's perspective can change positively in short span of 6 years. For me, this is especially as the world's technology and software application gain greater adaptability to the complex life-cycle of human habitation. Perhaps great reporting on the built environment comes from always repositioning oneself in relation to questions that help us see ourselves clearly.