it is not a dream

Do you remember my post about naming the streets in Choma? Well, today I received some photo's with the proof that the streetsigns really have been constructed and that they are still there, imagine! The posing is done by Merlijn and Junior my friends from Choma, the shoots made by Mutinta! Thanks guys and Mutinta!

unity

The first Isocarp congres held in Africa; "Developing world, sustainable cities", attracts lots of people working on urban development. The first day took place on the impressive grounds of the UN in Nairobi. The following days many casestudies were presented at the KICC including my presentation about urban development in Choma. Many similarities can be observed in the presentations about the intermediate cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America(were most of the urban population lives). Common heard problems are the difficulties of implementation, capacity building and the growing informal settlements.

A Norwegian architect Karl Henrik Nostorik designed the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in 1967. The design combined the traditions, aspirations and the environment of Kenya with the top needs and requirements of conference organizers.

party started

Summertime is coming and travelling will start so soon now, today I said goodbye to colleagues and friends in Choma with a farewell braai in our garden. My Tonga name, Lweendo = Journey will finally become a reality!

spatial dimensions

“Cat, you know that the map (a satellite photo) is not right? ... think think and hanged it on the opposite wall, You think the map is right now? Sure, now the map is correct!" (Work anecdote on reading maps)

The drawing companies are generally motivated and I have had several interesting discussions with these autodidact architects on architecture and urban design.

notes from a fieldtrip

Usually we make a salad or pasta at home, however when you are on a fieldtrip the local women will always offer you a plate of nsima with some relish. Nsima is made from mealie-meal (maize), the common staple food.

countryside

This is the farm of Bert & Nchimunya in Harmony, 10 km east of Choma. The fellow guest (a musician who, amongst others, records Zambian music, check http://www.swp-records.com/) and myself were impressed to see how they grow heaps of onions, vegetables and fruits on 9 ha of sandy, savannah land. With the tred the water is pumped from the well to irrigate the growing fruit trees. The place really feels like a holiday hangout!

welcome to my crib!

Building your own house is not only very normal in Zambia it is an investment for the future in a country without social security systems. 2 young collegueas started building some time ago as most work is done in weekends and when they have money and are very proud

landmarks

Now that the end is getting closer I started taking photos of the daily Choma life, the market and vendors with their pyramides of tomatoes and oranges that I pass by every day. The narrow lanes with sellers calling Madam, madam! chitenge material?

street scene

Last weeks we have had quite some guests, amongst others my sister, staying in Choma. Apart from showing them the busy market we walked through Mwapona, the oldest settlement in Choma. The name means “hello, how are you”; the children are always excited to see their photo's on the little screen.

Postmen

The designer outfits from the Dutch mail company must be very strong and warm as they prove very popular amongst the Zambian man.

girlpower

So many strong women: cooking, gardening and tailoring these women work hard and than I haven't mention yet what they can carry over such a long distances.

residents development committee

All the informal settlements have a Residents Development Committee (RDC). The RDC is the eyes and hands of the council in this area. They keep up with all new structures, status of roads, waste, water, but also allocation of new plots what makes their work interesting and responsible! With the RDC of Kamunza we were checking the settlement boundaries and instructed them to respect the neighboring land owners. All their input will also be used for the upgrading of this area that will (hopefully) commence soon. Pictures are taken by kennedy our driver

living together in the community

In the peri urban areas most of the households can not afford a connection to the waterline. In this settlement a "waterbar" is constructed on a central spot were residents can buy water per liter. The community pre school is in the community shelter and uses chalk on the wall.

when I grow older, I will be stronger

When I grow older, I will play football for the Netherlands! with the boys and some other friends we watched the World Cup Final.

challenge of slums

My homework for today: reading the Challenge of Slums, a analysis of slums worldwide made by UN habitat. It shows the problems, prospects, casestudies, numbers, factors of slums and their social, spatial and economic characteristics and dynamics. The report argues that the number of slum dwellers is growing and will continue to increase unless there is serious and concerted action by all relevant stakeholders. On www.unhabitat.org all reports can de downloaded for free as pdf, it is a very useful database.

waste

The common method of domestic and commercial waste management is burning and burying on the site. This was acceptable in the past, but the situation has changed. There is more waste, with different characteristics. The existing dumping site is not in a satisfactory location and there is no control over the type of waste materials which are dumped. I made the above observations and took photo's, meanwhile an EU bid has been written by my colleague.

urban design forum

I'm preparing an urban design handbook for Choma, what do you think I should do with the colourful kiosks and shops? My colleagueas all agree they should be cleared... I think they should remain, what is your argument?

think local act local

Thanks to another public holiday the paper is finished! just some typical Choma shots that I will use in the presentation: a train in the middle of town and an almost deserted market during church time.

nostalgia

Exactly 4 months in Zambia, 4 months to go, exactly 4 years ago that I was writing my final thesis “Shrinkage to Growth” and had a break to see The Netherlands play in the Worldcup with some neighbours in Den Haag. And see, 4 years later in Zambia I’m again writing a paper titled “Think Local, Act Local” for Isocarp congress later this year. Likewise I have to take break to see Netherlands-Japan.
The photo was made in 2004 in Groninger Museum just before leaving for a temporary life in Melbourne.

lifestyle #1

You know that you are settled in Zambia when it is becoming normal to you that: all the shops sell the same

stuff always displayed in nicely constructed towers of tomatoes and religion is the totally, true, whole thing..