CreatingGreatPublicSpacesinThreeAfricanCities

SummaryReport

Reportpreparedby: KristieDanielProgramDirector,LivableCities,HealthBridgeDate:September4,2018

TableofContents

Introduction.................................................................................................................3

CommunityEngagement..............................................................................................6

CapacityBuilding.........................................................................................................9

AwarenessRaising.....................................................................................................11

InfrastructureChanges...............................................................................................14

Policy.........................................................................................................................24

ProgressTowardsUltimateOutcome.........................................................................26

LessonsLearned.........................................................................................................27

Conclusion.................................................................................................................28

IntroductionInAfrica-likeinmanyotherplacesintheworld–publicspacesareusedforpubliclife,commerceandinteraction.However,lackoffunds,planning,andmaintenance,aswellaspriorityformotorizedvehicles,hasturnedmanypublicspacesintounsafe,unforgivingandunconnectedplaces.Inaddition,manypublicspacesaredifficulttoaccess,especiallyforthoselivinginvulnerablesituations.ThisisespeciallythecaseforthecitiesofAccra,Ghana,Kampala,Uganda,andNiamey,Niger.Thereisasignificantlackofformalpublicspacesinthesecities,particularlyintheoutlyingareaswheretheslumsettlementsarelocated.Ofthosespacesthatdoexist,theyaredegraded,ofpoorquality,andunderconstantthreatofbeingdevelopedintootherpurposes.Inordertobeginaddressingthecriticalissueofpublicspaceswebeganworkingonaproject,fundedbyUN-Habitat,thatwouldimplementpilotprojectsinthe3citiesintendedtotestinnovativesolutionsfor:

• Conductingacommunityengagementprocessthatensuresapeople-centredapproachtothedesignofthespace;

• Engagingwomen,children,andthedifferentlyabledinthedesignoftheparks;• Includingmultipleusesthatmeetcommunityneeds;• Improvingaccesstothepublicspaces;• Developingcommunity-basedmaintenance;• Formalizingtheprocessofcitizenengagementintocitypolicies;• Raisingawarenessamongthepublicanddecision-makersregardingthe

importanceofpublicspaces;• Strengthenlocalandnationalpoliciesthatprotect,preserve,andenhancepublic

spaces.InAccra,GhanathelocalleadorganizationwastheMmofraFoundation,whoareexpertsinAccraoncreatingsafe,fun,andeducationalpublicspacesforchildren.Accra,likemostcitiesintheworld,isexpandingatarapidpace.Thepressureonthegroundinthemetropolistomakewayforurbandevelopmenttranslatesintothecuttingofage-oldtrees,andthetakingoverofplaygrounds,parks,waterways,andotheressentialcommunityresources.MmofraFoundationhasfoundthatcityauthorities'plansandthecompeting,uncoordinatedprioritiesofcitydwellers,vendors,commercialvehicles,privatedevelopersandotherscontributetotrafficjamsandcongestion,infrastructureandserviceschallenges,excludingrecreationalpublicspacesfromthedevelopmentpoliciesandignoringtheirimportanceintheshapingofsustainablecities.

MmofrachoseTeshieParkandLibraryasthesitefortheirpilotproject.Thisisacommunityspacethatwasoriginallyaparkandlibrary,buthadbeenseverelydegradedandwasnowactingasadumpinggroundforrubbishfromthelocalmunicipality.Despitethelackofinfrastructureatthespaceandthepoorqualityofthespaceitself,thecommunityhadbeenprotectingthissiteformanyyears

andusedthespaceforcommunitycelebrations.InKampala,UgandathelocalleadorganizationwasAdvocatesforPublicSpaces(APS)whoformedin2016becausetheysawaneedforadvocacythatwouldcreatebetterstreets,parks,andmarketsinUganda.Kampalaisalsoexperiencingsignificantpressuresresultingfromincreasedpopulationanddemandforland.StudiesofpublicspacesinKampalashowthereisalackofformalpublicparksandopenspacesinthecity,particularlyinoutlyingareasandslumsettlements.And,ofthoseformalspacesthatdoexist,theyareoftenofpoorquality.Thishasledtopeopleusinginformalspacesthatarenotprotectedandprovideunsafeconditionsforthelocalpopulation.

APSchoseLukuliplaygroundasthesiteoftheirintervention.LukuliPlaygroundisinanareaofneedinthecity.Itislocatedinapoorcommunityandsuburbwherethehugerecreationalneedsoflocalresidentsarecompletelyneglected,asthestateoftheparkdemonstrated.LukuliPlaygroundserves12Parisheswithanapproximatepopulationof409,500.Thesiteisacommunityownedspaceandthecommunityhadbeenprotectingthesitefromdevelopmentformanyyears.

InNiamey,NigerthelocalleadorganizationwasPublicSpacesforAllwhohasbeenworkingonpublicspaceissues,includingstreets,parks,andmarketssince2014.Public

Picture1:TeshieParkbeforeintervention

Picture2:Lukuliplaygroundbeforeintervention

spaceisagrowingissueinNigerbutnotonethathadreceivedmuchgovernmentattentioninthepast.DespitetherapidgrowthofthepopulationofNiamey,thereareonlysevenparksforcity.Andofthoseseven,onlytwoareoperationalwhiletheothersareunderrehabilitation.Thecityisindesparateneedofadditionalpublicspacesforresidents.

PublicSpacesforAllchoseanopenspaceinthesuburbofYantalaasthesitefortheirintervention.Thisspacewasdevoidofanyinfrastructurebutwasaspacefrequentedbythelocalcommunityandwasoftenusedasaspacetoplayfootball.Inaddition,aMosquewaslocatednexttothesite,whichwasseenasaidealcompaniondestinationforapublicspace.

Forthisprojectweused5strategies:1. CommunityEngagement2. CapacityBuilding3. AwarenessRaising4. InfrastructureChanges5. Policy

These5strategiesensuredwetookacomprehensiveapproachtothepilotprojects.Thisreportprovidesthesummaryforallthreeprojects.ForfulldetailsabouttheindividualprojectsvisittheProjectReportsontheHealthBridgewebsite:

https://healthbridge.ca/library/entry/creating-great-public-spaces-in-three-african-cities-accra-final-reporthttps://healthbridge.ca/images/uploads/library/Creating_Great_Public_Spaces_in_three_African_Cities_Niamey_report_final.pdf

Picture3:Yantalaopenspacebeforeintervention

https://healthbridge.ca/library/entry/creating-great-public-spaces-in-three-african-cities-uganda-final-report

CommunityEngagementCommunityengagementwasacriticalelementforallthreeprojectsandprovidedthebasisforallinfrastructureimprovements.ThekeyactivityorganizedforcommunityengagementwastheMinecraftWorkshoporganizedbyUN-Habitat.Minecraftisacomputergameadaptedforuseasacommunityengagementtoolfordevelopingpeople-centredpublicspaces.Itisbestimaginedasacomplex‘digitalLego’thatallowscommunitymemberstobuildstructureswithinthegametogether.However,beforetheMinecraftworkshopcouldbeorganized,eachcityneededtoarrangeseveralcommunitymeetingswithlocalorganizations,localleaders,andlocalstakeholders.Thesemeetingsprovidedanopportunityforthelocalteamstoexplaintheimportanceofpublicspaces,outlinetheactivitiesandexpectedoutcomesfortheprojectandreceivelocalbuy-inforthestepsthatwouldbeneededtorealizethevisionofanimprovedpublicspace.Intotalthelocalteamsorganized19meetingswithover412participantsandwereabletorecruit42participantstoattendtheworkshop.

Picture4:CommunityengagementactivityinNiamey

Followingthesuccessandmomentumcreatedfromthecommunitymeetings,eachcityorganizeda3-dayMinecraftworkshopwheremembersofthecommunityandlocaldecision-makerswereinvolvedincreatingdesignsfortheparksthatwerethenusedasthebasisforthefinaldesignapprovedbythecommunity.Intotal77participantsattendedthethreeworkshops,whichincludedrepresentativesfromthecommunity,citydepartments,andgovernmentofficials.ThecommunityreportedbackthattheyfoundtheMinecraftgameavaluabletoolforhelpingthemvisualizethechangestheywouldliketomake.

Inaddition,eachofthethreecommunitiesorganizedmeetingsfocusedonhowthepublicspaceswouldbemaintainedovertime.Maintenanceofpublicspacesisakeyissueasthebestspacecanquicklydeterioratewithoutregularcareandmaintenance.InAccratheprojectteamorganizedameetingwiththelocalMP,theResidents’Associationandotherkeystakeholdersandbusinessgroupsinordertodevelopaplantomaintainthespaceanddiscusswaysthesecondandthirdphasesoftheprojectcouldbeimplemented.InNiamey,alocalmanagementcommitteewasformedtooverseethemaintenanceofthesite.InKampalaaBoardofTrusteeswasreactivatedandagreedtoberesponsibleforthesite’smaintenancebyhiringalocalsecurityguardandplaygroundmanager.

Picture5:ParticipantpresentingMinecraftmodelinAccra

Theresultsoftheseactivitiesincludedincreasedcommunityengagementinallthreecommunitiesandincreasedownershipofthespaces.Thisisevidencedbythecontributionofover72volunteerswhocontributed224hoursoftheirtimealongwithcommunitydonationsofplants,grass,andfacilities.Inaddition,KampalaCapitalCityAuthoritycontributed150seedlingstothesite.Thesecontributionsenhancedtheoverallprojectandhelpedcreateexcitementwithintheneighbourhoods.Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes KampalaOutcomes TotalsEstablishacommunityengagementprocessforthedesignoftheparksthatensuresparticipationofchildren,youth,womenandpeoplelivingwithdisabilities.

-4meetingshostedwiththeTeshie–NunguaEstateResidentsAssociation.-Between5and15communityparticipants-19communitymembersrecruited

-5meetingswithcommunity-378participants(238childrenand140adults,241malesand137females)-15Minecraftparticipantsselected

-5meetings-19participants-36participantsrecruited

-19meetings-412participants-42participantsrecruited

Organize3MinecraftWorkshopsinvolvingmultiplestakeholderstodevelopthedesignsofthepark.

-19participantsrangingbetweenagesof8and65

-27participantsrangingbetweenagesof15and65

-31participantstotalincluding25males,6females

-3Minecraftworkshopsorganized(3-dayslong)-77participants

Withcommunityinput,developaprocessforparkmaintenance,identify,who,what,where,whenandhow.

-1meetingorganized-participantsincludedresidents’association,localMP,MuslimAssociation,andotherstakeholders-4communitymembershavetakenresponsibilityformaintainingthepark

-1meetingorganized-Afive-membermanagementcommittee(3fromthecommunity,onefromthemunicipality1andonefromPublicSpacesforAll)wassetuptomanagethepark

-1PlaygroundBoardofTrusteesreactivated-TwomeetingsoftheBoardofTrustees-Onefacilityguardhasbeenhired-Amanagerisintheprocessofbeinghired-Privategroupsusingthespacearenowrequiredtopayfeestohelpmaintain

-4meetingsorganized-1ManagementCommitteeformed-1BoardofTrusteesformed-1guardhired-Feestructureforprivatefunctionscreatedtohelpfundmaintenance

Results: - Increasedcommunityengagementinallthreecommunitiesthroughparticipationinthemeetings,theMinecraftworkshops,byofferingtheirtimeandresourcestodevelopthespaces

- Increasedcommunityownershipofthespaces- 72volunteerscontributed224hoursofvolunteertime(12youthvolunteersin

Niameyfor180hoursand60volunteersages3to84inAccrafor144hoursovertwoweeksofconstruction)alongwithvolunteertimeinKampalaforcleaningthesite

- Ghs1865wasdonatedinkindforparkelementsinAccrasuchasgrassandpaving

- CommunitycontributionsinAccraincludeduseofcomputerfacilitiesduringMinecraftworkshop,aloanedgeneratorandconstructiontoolsduringthebuild,accesstoaweldingworkshop,suppliesofwater,plants

- Donationof150treeseedlings,afuelledtractor,andstafftode-siltandcleanthedrainageareabycityauthorityinKampala

- Reductionofrubbishandgarbageinallthreesites

CapacityBuildingCapacitybuildingwasanimportantcomponentofourprojectandwasimplementeddifferentlyineachofthecommunities.InNiamey,theyconsideredthecapacitybuildingandpolicyelementsoftheprojectacriticalstartingpointtoimprovepublicspaces.Eightmeetingswithover27officialswereorganizedwherepublicspaceswerediscussed,informationabouttheirimportanceshared,andlinkagesbetweenothercityandnationalpriorityissueswasmade.Inaddition,thelocalteamfeltthataworkshopwouldbeanappropriatewaytofollowuponthe1:1meetingsandwouldhelpimprovethecapacityamongdecision-makers.PublicspacesisaverynewissueforgovernmentofficialsinNiameybutinterestwashighamongbothnationalandlocaldecision-makers.Asaresult,3workshopswereorganizedwith39decision-makerswheresomeofthemoretechnicalaspectsofimplementingpublicspacesprojectswasdiscussed.Theofficialsindicatedthattheircapacitywasimprovedasaresultoftheirparticipationandanimportantresultoftheseworkshops(alongwithapolicyworkshop)wasacommitmenttoincludepublicspacesintheupcomingrevisionoftheNationalStrategyonUrbanDevelopment.AworkshopwasnotconsideredthemosteffectivewayofdeliveringcapcitybuildinginbothAccraandKampala.InAccra,itwasfeltthataworkshopwastoosoonintheprocessandthatitwouldbebettertoexploreaworkshopafterthepilotwascompletedandfurtherresearchonthequantityandqualityofthepublicspaceenvironmentcouldbeconducted.InKampala,aworkshophadbeenorganizedpriortothestartoftheprocessandcityofficialswerealreadywellawareoftheimportanceofpublicspacesandthenecessaryelements.Inbothcities,1:1meetingswithofficialswereorganized

insteadasawayofgarneringgovernmentsupportandtheseofficialssentgovernmentrepresentativestotheMinecraftworkshopandcommunitybuildinordertobetterunderstandthewaysthatmeaningfulcommunityparticipationcanbeorganized.Intotal,5meetingswereorganizedwith2electedofficialsand5bureaucrats.

Finally,bothAccraandNiameyorganizedtrainingsandcapacitybuildingactivitiesforcommunitymembersfocusedonbothparkdevelopmentandparkmaintenance.InAccra,2daysofvolunteertrainingswereorganizedtosupportvolunteersinparticipatingintheparkbuildwith30communitymembersparticipating.IntotalAccrahadover60volunteershelpwiththeircommunitybuild(asreportedabove)andthesetrainingshelpedprovidethefoundationsforthatsuccess.InNiamey,the2workshopsorganizedweremorefocusedonthemaintanenceoftheparkwith18peopleinattendance.Theresultsofthecapacitybuildingactivitiesincludeincreasedcapacityandcommitmentofthecommunityandelectedofficialsindevelopingandmaintainingpublicspaces.Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes Kampala

OutcomesTotals

Organizeaworkshopwithgovernmentofficialsatthefederalandlocallevel.

Noworkshopsorganizedasitwasfelttobetooearlierintheadvocacyforsuchaworkshop-2officialsfromtheMunicipalAssemblytookpartintheMinecraftWorkshop

-3workshops-39decision-makersincluding:- Ministryofthe

City(18)- Ministryof

Housing(3)- Ministryof

Environment(2)

- MunicipalitiesofNiamey(16)

Nocapacityworkshopswereorganized.-2KCCAofficialswereassignedtotheprojectandattendedthecommunitymeetings

-3workshops-39decision-makers

Picture6:MeetingwithYantalaChief Picture7:MeetingamongLukuliTrustees

Meet1:1withofficials.Preparedocumentsfordistribution.

-2MeetingsorganizedwiththeMemberofParliamentLedzokuku-KroworConstituencyandhisstaffwheretheparkissituated-Gavehisfullcommitmenttothefurtherdevelopmentofthepark

-Distributed450advocacydocuments-8Meetingsorganized-27participantsfromtheMinistryoftheCityandUrbanSanitation,theHighofficeforNiameynice“NiameyNyala”,TownHallandthe5municipalitiesofNiamey

3meetings-4KCCAofficialsinthelandscapingdepartment-1DivisionMayorIncreasedsupportfromKCCA-1officialassignedtorepresentKCCAontheBoardofTrustees

-13meetings-4electedofficial-30bureaucrats

Organizetrainingswithlocalcitizensregardingparkmaintenanceanddevelopment.

-2daysofvolunteertrainings-30communitymembersparticipated-4communitymembershavetakenovertheinterimmanagementofthepark.

-2trainings-18participants-18citizenshaveindicatedtheircapacityhasincreased

-Notrainingsprovided.However,thecommunityhasalreadyinstitutedsomefacilitycaretakingactivities

-4trainings-48participants-increasedskillsneededtodevelopandmaintaintheparks

Results: -Increasedcapacityandcommitmentofcommunityandelectedofficialsindevelopingandmaintainingpublicspacesincluding:

-InAccra,theMunicipalAssemblyhelpedpreparethesite;theparkdevelopmentprocesshelpedincreasetheskillsoflocalartisansindelivering“non-traditional”designs;theparkdevelopmentprocessalsoresultedinchallenginggenderstereotypes,increasedunderstandingoftheimportanceofproperlitterdisposal,andincreasedunderstandingandownershipofthepark.-InNiamey,governmentofficialsarecommittedtoworkonpolicybyincludingthepromotionofpublicspacesinthenewNationalStrategyofUrbanDevelopment.Also,beforethat,theypromisedtorehabilitatethecurrentparksandcreateothersparksandtheyarerespectingtheirpromise.-InKampalathe1:1meetingswithgovernmentofficialsandtheirparticipationintheprocesshelpedeasetensionsbetweenthecommunityandofficials.

AwarenessRaising

Thelocalteamsinitiatedawareness-raisingactivitiesasawayofincreasingtheinterestintheprojectsandtheinterestinpublicspacesamongthegeneralpopulation.InKampalaandNiamey,thelocalpartnersdidnotinitiateanyawarenessraisingactivitiesontheirownbutratherbuiltthoseactivitiesintotheotherstrategies.Muchofthecommunityengagementworkalsohadtheeffectofraisingawarenessamongthecommunityofpublicspaces.ThisresultedinchangesintheperceptioninthecommunityaboutthefacilityinKampala.Initiallythefocuswasmostlyonfootballbymen.Withtheinclusionofachildren’splayspaceandplantingoftreesforshadetheplaygroundisstartingtotransformintoapark.Parentsandsmallchildreninparticularbegantoseethespaceasbelongingtothemaswell.InAccra,thisprojectbecamethestartingpointforayear-longpublicawarenessdrive,withthegoalofeventuallyhostingaforumtargetinghighlevelpolicymakers;communitybasedeventsanddiscussionwouldservethepurposeofbuildinginterestinthetopic.Itwastheteam’sintentiontousetheirexistingcommunityconnectionstoignitethepublicspacesdialogue,aimedatpolicymakersandthegreatercommunity.Theaimwastobeginwithsmallerinitiativeswithgreatpresence,workinguptolargerevents/discussions;visibleinterestfromthepublicwouldservetodrawtheattentionofpoliticiansandpolicymakers,allowingMmofratolobbythemtoplacepublicspacemakingasapriorityinfuturedevelopmentplans.TheresultwasincreasedawarenessamongthecommunityandpolicymakersonpublicspacesgenerallyandTeshieChildren’sParkmorespecifically.Theactivitiesalsoresultedinthestreamliningofintentionsandgoals,whichwillservetobolstertheargumentforprioritisingpublicspacemakingatpolicylevel.

Picture8:TwitterchatseriesinAccra

Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes KampalaOutcomes TotalsOrganizecommunityawarenesscampaigns

-1meeting(PaneldiscussionatMmofraPlace)-2TwitterChats

Communityawarenesswasincludedinthecommunityengagementactivities.

Communityawarenesswasincludedinthecommunityengagement.

1meeting2TwitterChats

Conductmeetingswithjournalists.

2meetings2journalistsparticipating2mediaevents

3meetings10journalistsparticipating5mediaevents

Nomeetingsorganized

5meetings12journalists7mediaevents

Preparepressreleases.

1pressrelease3mediainstances

1pressrelease19mediainstances

Optedtowaitforthecompletionofthestructuresfirst.

2pressreleases22mediainstances

Results: -Increasedawarenessamongthemediaandthepublicaboutpublicspacesandtheirimportance.-Increasedinterestinthetopicamongmedia-Increasedinterestinthenewlydesignedspaces-ChangesinperceptionamongthecommunityinKampalaabouttheappropriateusesofpublicspaces

Picture9:TalkingSpacesSeriesinAccra

InfrastructureChangesInfrastructurechangewasthecoreactivityfortheprojectandbroughttolifetheideasandneedsofthecommunity.InthecaseofAccra,thesitewasoriginallyapublicspacethathadbeenabusedbythemunicipalbody(LEKMA)andotherparties,whichresultedinthelandbeingusedasadumpinggroundforrubbish,theLEKMA’sconfiscateditemsfromthesurroundinglocality,andconstructionmaterials.Theinfrastructurechangesincluded:clearingthesite;addressingstormwaterdrainage,water,andwastedisposal;securingtheperimeterbyusingatireandpalletfencing,meshfencing,chickenwirefencing,andpalletfencing;constructingplaycomponentsincludingmonkeybars,swings,tireclimbers,sandpits,timberwalker,Aframes,blackboards,toddlerplatform,playbench,shadedseating,bamboomaze,andhopscotch.Theresultsoftheinfrastructurechangeswereanincreasednumberofusesofthesiteaswellasincreasednumberofusers.Inaddition,LEKMAisslowlybeingremovedfromthesite.

Picture10:ParkConstructioninAccra

Picture11:ParkBuildinAccra

Picture12:Finishedchildren’sparkinAccra

Picture12:ChildrenplayingintheirnewparkinAccra

Picture13:HandwashingstationinAccra

InNiger,problemswiththefirstsitewereencounteredwhentheMayor’swererecalledbythePresidentandthenewMayornolongerwishedtousethesiteasapublicspace.ThisledtoamajorsetbackfortheprojectbecausetheMinecraftworkshophadalreadyoccurredandthesitehadalreadybeendesigned.However,municipalofficialswerepartoftheinitialawarenessraisingandMinecraftworkshopandwereexcitedbytheproject.Theybecameinstrumentalinidentifyingasecondsitethatwasonly200mawayfromtheoriginalprojectsite.Thissecondsitewasanopenspacebeingusedbythecommunityforrecreationalpurposes.However,itwasnotconsideredaformalpublicspaceandtherewerenofacilitiesorequipmenttoaidthecommunityintheiractivities.Theinfrastructurechangesincluded:definingtheparameterofthesiteusingtirescolouredwiththecoloursoftheNigerflag;levellingthesite;constructionoftoilets;constructionofshadedareas;plantingtrees;constructionofafootballpitchandpetanqueground;constructionofachildren’splayspace;andaddressingwastedisposalandwateravailability.Theresultsoftheinfrastructurechangearethatnowmoreplayersfromthecommunityarecomingtousethespacenowthatthereisadesignatedfootballandpetanquearea,morewomenareusingthesitebecauseoftheshade,andmoreschoolchildrenareusingthesitebecauseoftheplayground.

Picture14:ParkBuildinNiamey

Picture15:NewtoiletfacilityinNiamey

Picture16:NewtreeinNiamey

InKampala,thespacechosenwasanexistingplayground,ownedbythecommunity,thatwasbeingusedpredominantlybyadultmalesinthecommunitytoplayfootball.Thecommunityprioritizedtoiletconstruction,theneedtostopthefloodinginthepark,andtheneedtoaddresstherubbishdumpinginthepark.TheinitialtoiletstructurewaspresentedtoKCCAandincludedabasicdesignthatwasaccessibleforpeoplelivingwithdisabilitiesbutwasexpandedbythecityinordertobetteraccommodatemorepeopleusingthesite.Infrastructurechangesincluded:sitedrainagefixed;anetballcourtadded;footballpitchlevelled;abuildinghousingtoilets,changerooms,andacaretakersoffice(stillbecompleted);plantingtreeseedlings;andachildren’splaygroundthatincludedamerry-go-round,sandpool,woodenswings,benches,woodcars.Althoughnotinnovativeforothercommunities,includingachildren’splayspaceprovedtobeaninnovationforthiscommunityandonethathasresultedinincreasedenjoymentfortheyoungerchildreninthecommunity.Thesechangesresultedinadramaticincreaseinthenumberofpeopleusingthesite:100communitymembersbeforeand300after;20womenbeforeand50womenafter;and30childrenbeforeand80after.

Picture17:Multi-purposeplaygroundinNiamey

Picture18and19:BuildingtoiletandchangeroomfacilityinKampala

Picture20and21:Netballcourtre-seededinKampala

Picture22:Children’splayspaceinKampala

Picture23:ChildrenplayinginKampala

Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes KampalaOutcomes TotalsOrganizeandimplementparkimprovementssuchasgroundlevelling,equipmentrepair/construction,shelter,toilets,andwatertaps.

17parkimprovements- 12play

components- 5major

infrastructureimprovements

10+innovativeideassuggested4innovativeideasimplemented:- Perimeter

fence- Outdoor

readingarea- Multipurpose

sportspitch- Play

componentchoices

9parkimprovements- 4sheds- 2toilets- 2grounds

(football&petanque)

- 1children’splayground

8parkimprovements-1buildinghousingtoiletsandchangingroomsandcaretakersoffice(stilltobecompleted)-1NetballcourtSitedrainagefixedFootballpitchedlevelled-150TreeSeedlingsplanted-1children’splaygroundincluding:1Merrygoround1Sandpool4Woodenswings8Benches5Woodcars

34parkimprovements

Organizeaparkopeningceremonytoillustratethedifferentcomponentsofthepark.

1event(pending)

Theparkopeningceremonywasorganizedbythecommunity(petanqueplayersandthegroupofMuslimwomen)136participants:-Municipality:5-Petanqueplayers:12-GroupofMuslimswomen:42-Nationalfederationofpetanque:3-Community:74

1event(pending)

1openingceremony136participants

Results: -Increasednumberofusesandusersofeachsite:- InAccra,thelocalteamincreasedthenumberofusesbyincludingplacestosit

andaplayground.Thisincreasedthetypesofusersatthesite.Asaresultoftheinterventionsthesitenowhasvendorscateringtotheincreasednumber

ofusers,schoolchildrenafterschool,forplayandaplacetodotheirhomework,andcommunitymembersseekingsomewheretosit,particularlyatlunchtimeandintheevenings.

- InNiamey,thelocalteamincreasedthenumberofusesbyincludingshadedplacestosit,andaplayspaceforchildren.Sincetheintervention,thetypesofusershasincreasedwithmoreschoolchildrenusingthesiteafterschool(32children),vendorssurroundingthepark,andwomensittingundertheshadeusingthespaceforstudy(20).

- InKampala,thelocalteamincreasedthenumberofusesatthesitebyincludingaplayspace,andaddinganetballcourt.Thishasincreasedthenumberofusersasnowchildrenandwomenhaveactivitiesandsafeplace.Beforetheintervention100communitymembersusedtheplaygroundandcurrentlythereare300residentsthatusetheparkdaily.Beforetheintervention,20womenwereusingtheparkandwiththeadditionoftheNetballcourt,50womenarevisitingthesitedaily.Priortotheintervention,30childrenwerevisitingthesitetoplayfootballbeforetheoldermemberswouldtakeover.Now,over80childrenvisittheplayspacedaily.Therewerenopeoplewithdisabilitiesusingtheparkbeforetheintervention.Thechildren’splayspacehasattracted5childrenwithdisabilitiesthusfar.

PolicyPolicytakestimetoimplementandthisprojectwasoneofmanyactivitiesthatthelocalleadorganizationsareundertakingtoimprovepolicyforpublicspaces.However,thisprojectonitsowncouldnotrealisticallyachieveapolicyobjective.Ithas,however,providedeachcitywithanexampleofahowaparkcanbedevelopedusingacommunityengagementapproach.InAccratheoverallobjectiveofthepolicyadvocacywastogetthepolicymakersonboardwiththeinitiative,thusgrantingaccesstotheirresourcesandensuringthatthecreationandmaintenanceofpublicspacesisincludedinfuturedevelopmentplans.TheMPhasindicatedhissupportandhasagreedtosupporteffortstolobbyotherdecisionmakers.InNiger,policyadvocacywasamajorcomponentoftheirprojectandtothatend,theyorganizedapolicyworkshopthataddressednationallevelpoliciesthatcouldbeimplementedbythegovernment.ThisworkshopwashighlysuccessfulandthedepartmentresponsibleforrevisingtheNationalStrategyforUrbanDevelopmenthasagreedtoincludepublicspacesintothatplan.AspartoftheeffortstoencourageimprovedpolicyinKampala,theareamayorwasinvitedthroughlocalcouncillorstoinspecttheproject.Theobjectivewastointeresthimandmembersofhisstafftobuyintothepreservationofpublicparksandplayareas.Onarrivalthemayorinspectedtheincompletestructure,thechildren’splayareaandnetballcourt.Heappreciatedtheworkdoneandsuggestedvariousmeasurestoimprovethefacility.Theresultofthis

meetingwasimprovedunderstandingamongtheareamayorandhisstaffandapotentialadvocateforfutureworkinthiscommunity.

Resultsfromthepilotprojectsalongwiththemeetingsorganizedwithdecision-makersleadustobeoptimisticthatbothnationalandlocallevelsofgovernmentarenowmoreinterestedinpublicspacesandareamenabletohavingpublicspacespolicydiscussions.Activity,Result,andOutcomeTable:Activity AccraOutcomes NiameyOutcomes KampalaOutcomes TotalsOrganizemeetingswithdecisionmakers

-2formalmeetingswithlocalMP-2decision-makers

-1workshop-11decision-makers

-1sitevisitfromareamayor

-2meetings-1workshop-1sitevisit-14governmentofficials

Results: -increasedcommitmentfromdecision-makerstocreate,protect,andenhancepublicspaces-InAccra,thelocalMPhasmadeapublicstatementcommittinghisofficetotheinitiative,offeringsupportinlobbyingotherpolicymakers.Inaddition,effortstoconnectthecommunitytodecisionmakershasresultedincollaborationbetweenthegovernmentandTeshieResidents’Associationandaseparateprojectbetweenthegovernmentandalocalbusiness.-InNiamey,therehasbeen2publicstatementsfromgovernmentofficialsabout

Picture24:PolicyworkshopinNiamey

theircommitmenttodeveloppublicspaces.Inaddition,theministryinchargeofpublicspacespromotioncommittedtoincludepolicyaboutpublicspacesinthenewNationalStrategyofUrbanDevelopment.-InKampalatherewerenospecificpolicyresults.However,theareamayorisnowanadvocateandhewillbehelpfulinourfuturefundraisingendeavours.Inaddition,KCCAisinterestedinseeingthecommunityengagementprocessappliedtoadifferenttypeofpublicspace.

ProgressTowardsUltimateOutcomeTheultimateoutcomewewishedtoworktowardsachieving,forwhichourprojectcontributedwas“improvedlocalpolicies,plansanddesignsforsafe,inclusiveandaccessiblepublicspacesforallwhichsupportsmorecompact,integratedandconnected,sociallyinclusivecitiesandneighbourhoodsinpartnercities.”Indicatorsthatwearemovingtowardsachievingtheultimateoutcomeinclude:- Theprojectsarealreadybeingconsideredasabestpracticeincommunity

engagementandpublicspaceimprovementandarebeingexaminedbyothercommunitiesinthecities.Thosecommunitieswantthesamemodeltobeusedintheirareas.Havingothercommunitiesandothercommunitygroupsinterestedinreplicatingtheworkincreasesthelikelihoodofpolicychange.

- Localchildreninallthreecitiesbeganusingtheparksbeforeconstructionwascompleted,whichspeakstotheneedforsuchaspaceintheseareasandothers.Thattheyandtheirparentsbeganpatronisingitassoonaswaspossiblealsospeakstotheparksbeinganinclusiveandaccessiblepublicspaceasintended.

- TherehasbeenfavorablecommitmentofthegovernmentandmunicipalofficialsinpromotingpublicspacesinNiger.DespitethedesignationofanewMinisterinchargeofurbandevelopmentafterourprojectbegan,thetechnicalcommitteethatformedtointegratepublicspacesinthenewNationalUrbanStrategywillstillestablishedaspartoftheagendaoftheMinistryfor2019.Also,sevenmunicipalitiesoutsideofNiameyarereallyinterestedinpromotingpublicspaces.Currently,thegovernmenthasundertakentherehabilitationand/orconstructionofparksinNiamey.

- Eachsitesawimportantvolunteercontributionsincludingbyprovidingbothtimeandresourcesaswellasbyattendingmeetingsandsittingoncommitteesandboards.Thissuggeststhatpublicspacescanactasacatalystforcommunityinvolvementandcitybuilding.

- Ineachsitethecommunityisenjoyingthespaceimmensely.Thisspeakstotheimportanceofpublicspacesincontributingtolivablecities.

Theseindicatorssuggestthattheseprojectshavecontributedandwillcontinuetocontributetoourultimateoutcome.

LessonsLearnedTheprojectswereambitiousandinmanycasestheprojectswereafirstforthecommunitiesthatwereinvolved.Asaresult,wehavemanylessonswecansharewithothercommunitieshopingtoembarkonasimilarprocess:- TheMinecraftworkshopprovedtobeaninnovativeandexcitingwayforcommunity

memberstoengageindevelopingtheirownpark.However,Minecraftshouldnotbethe only community engagement activity. Community meetings before and afterMinecraftareequallyasimportantinordertoensurethattheplanstrulyreflecttheneedsofthecommunity.

- Itisimportanttodeveloprealisticbudgets.AgoodexamplewasinKampalawherethemainpriorityforthecommunitywasthetoiletfacilityanditwasbelieved,wheninitially decidingon this priority, that the fundswouldbe sufficient.However, theinitial plans for the toilet facilitieswhere expanded to include change rooms, thefunds available were no longer sufficient. The community decided not to changecourseandtocontinuetobuildtheirstructure.However,inhindsight,perhapsmoretime and discussionwas needed to determinewhether the funds availablewouldhave been better spent on other priorities. As a learning for other projects, it isimportanttobereallyclearaboutwhatbudgetisavailableandensurethatprojectsare not undertaken that are beyond the scope of the available funds unlessfundraisingeffortsarealreadyunderwayanditclearwheretheadditionalfundswillbecomingfrom.

- Delaysarecommoninsuchprojectanditisthereforeimportanttomaintainthecommunity’sfaithandoptimismevenwhendevelopmentswerenotvisible.Itisimportanttobetransparentwiththecommunityaboutintentionsforthesite.

- Ensurealllocalandgovernmentleadersareapproachedandengagedindependently,aswellasinvitedtoplanningmeetingsbeforeconstructionbegins.Theseleaderscanhelpmovethingsalongwhendelaysoccur(aswasthecasewithAccraandNiamey).But,itisalsokeythatallleadersareconsultedbecauseoftenitisthetraditional(asopposedtoelectedorgovernmental)carryamoralweightinthecommunitythatshouldnotbeunder-estimated.

- Expecttheretobeunexpectedobstaclesthatwillneedtobeover-come.InAccrathemainobstaclewaswaterleakagefromthemainwaterpipe.InNiameythemainobstaclewasrelatedtoneedingtochangesitesmorethanhalf-waythroughtheproject.Obstaclescanoccurformanyreasonsandtheprojectteamwillneedtobeabletoproblemsolvepossiblesolutionswiththecommunity.

ConclusionThese projects have already, in their short time, achieved many important resultsincluding increased awareness about the importance of public spaces, increased parkusage, increased trust among the community and government officials, increasedcommunity engagement, and increased ownership by the community of their publicspace. The foundations for sustainable parks have been laid. The communities havebeenencouragedtotakeownershipoftheirprojectsfromtheoutset,throughconstantdialogue and participation. The public spaces will be used as a case study for futurecommunity-led projects and engagements and will provide the foundation for ourevidence-based advocacy campaigns for public space policy improvement in Accra,Kampala, and Niamey. Mmofra Foundation, Public Spaces for All, and Advocates forPublicSapcesarecommittedtoanchoringandleadingadvocacywithpolicymakersonpublicspaceinAccra.