When Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) conceives open public space they conjure up images of ... more When Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) conceives open public space they conjure up images of tall glimmering crystal boxes set in expanses of well-kempt gardens with candy-coloured flowers, geometric trees, and perfectly manicured lawns sliced by paths that lead to nowhere.These gardens are intended to attract people as flowers would bees. Drawing on research that focuses on: the meaning and practice public space, and its quality and use, this presenta- tion explores the extent to which this utopia is sustainable.The open public spaces appear empty and surreal. Like in a factory the roads become conveyor belts of accelerated movement. In this plastic city people walk straight ahead in oblivion to the candy-coloured gardens.The city can be likened to the miniature models generated by design professionals. The reality is that people are not bees; the quality of space is not determined only on the basis of its visual aesthetics but also on usage and the resulting quality of life. Outdoor open space is meant to create continuity of the built fabric where buildings enable users to per- ceive a sense of territoriality.The premise is that households should be able to privatise outdoor space. However the open outdoor spaces linked to the case areas seem not to function in a wider context.The spaces are empty and under-utilised. Given the dynamic needs of this African city, are these candy-coloured gardens sustainable? How can Kampala therefore be envisaged?
Jennifer Nalubwama Machyo1, Lilian Namuganyi2, Stephen Mukiibi3
1Teaching Asst., Department of A... more Jennifer Nalubwama Machyo1, Lilian Namuganyi2, Stephen Mukiibi3
1Teaching Asst., Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Email: jmachyo@gmail.com
2Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Email: namuganyi.lil@gmail.com
1Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Email: smukiibi@cedat.ma.k.ac.ug
KAMPALA ‘S EMERGING VERNACULAR LANDSCAPE. Three quarters of Kampala’s land is privately owned deterring local authority’s control over its development. Private land rights have fueled the growth of owner occupied houses which offer the best medium for showing individuals’ personality and aspirations. (Hamdi, 1991) Taking on owner-occupied house forms as a case study I will investigate how varying aspects of house owners have steered Kampala’s emerging vernacular landscape. The aim of the research is to enhance an interdisciplinary approach to landscape design and research. Reference Hamdi, N. (1991). Housing without Houses:Participation, Flexibility,Enablement. London: Intermediate Technologies Publications Ltd.
East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources
This paper discusses house transformation by owners in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, exami... more This paper discusses house transformation by owners in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, examining the reasons for the phenomenon and highlighting its nature, opportunities it offers and what be done to formalise it and take advantage of some of these opportunities for the benefit of the community. The main objective of the study was to investigate the factors and processes leading to house transformation in Kampala’s owner-occupied houses. The study revealed that the processes of house development and transformation in Kampala are largely informal, excluding professionals and local authorities. House transformations were a means of expression of the changing needs of the owners, in terms of sizes, income, class and status. House transformations are characterised by phased alterations/modifications, which result in more space for the household needs, income generation and house improvement and status uplift. The process being widespread, almost inevitable and addressing the large...
When Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) conceives open public space they conjure up images of ... more When Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) conceives open public space they conjure up images of tall glimmering crystal boxes set in expanses of well-kempt gardens with candy-coloured flowers, geometric trees, and perfectly manicured lawns sliced by paths that lead to nowhere.These gardens are intended to attract people as flowers would bees. Drawing on research that focuses on: the meaning and practice public space, and its quality and use, this presenta- tion explores the extent to which this utopia is sustainable.The open public spaces appear empty and surreal. Like in a factory the roads become conveyor belts of accelerated movement. In this plastic city people walk straight ahead in oblivion to the candy-coloured gardens.The city can be likened to the miniature models generated by design professionals. The reality is that people are not bees; the quality of space is not determined only on the basis of its visual aesthetics but also on usage and the resulting quality of life. Outdoor open space is meant to create continuity of the built fabric where buildings enable users to per- ceive a sense of territoriality.The premise is that households should be able to privatise outdoor space. However the open outdoor spaces linked to the case areas seem not to function in a wider context.The spaces are empty and under-utilised. Given the dynamic needs of this African city, are these candy-coloured gardens sustainable? How can Kampala therefore be envisaged?
Jennifer Nalubwama Machyo1, Lilian Namuganyi2, Stephen Mukiibi3
1Teaching Asst., Department of A... more Jennifer Nalubwama Machyo1, Lilian Namuganyi2, Stephen Mukiibi3
1Teaching Asst., Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Email: jmachyo@gmail.com
2Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Email: namuganyi.lil@gmail.com
1Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Email: smukiibi@cedat.ma.k.ac.ug
KAMPALA ‘S EMERGING VERNACULAR LANDSCAPE. Three quarters of Kampala’s land is privately owned deterring local authority’s control over its development. Private land rights have fueled the growth of owner occupied houses which offer the best medium for showing individuals’ personality and aspirations. (Hamdi, 1991) Taking on owner-occupied house forms as a case study I will investigate how varying aspects of house owners have steered Kampala’s emerging vernacular landscape. The aim of the research is to enhance an interdisciplinary approach to landscape design and research. Reference Hamdi, N. (1991). Housing without Houses:Participation, Flexibility,Enablement. London: Intermediate Technologies Publications Ltd.
East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources
This paper discusses house transformation by owners in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, exami... more This paper discusses house transformation by owners in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, examining the reasons for the phenomenon and highlighting its nature, opportunities it offers and what be done to formalise it and take advantage of some of these opportunities for the benefit of the community. The main objective of the study was to investigate the factors and processes leading to house transformation in Kampala’s owner-occupied houses. The study revealed that the processes of house development and transformation in Kampala are largely informal, excluding professionals and local authorities. House transformations were a means of expression of the changing needs of the owners, in terms of sizes, income, class and status. House transformations are characterised by phased alterations/modifications, which result in more space for the household needs, income generation and house improvement and status uplift. The process being widespread, almost inevitable and addressing the large...
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likened to the miniature models generated by design professionals. The reality is that people are not bees; the quality of space is not determined only on the basis of its visual aesthetics but also on usage and the resulting quality of life. Outdoor open space is meant to create continuity of the built fabric where buildings enable users to per- ceive a sense of territoriality.The premise is that households should be able to privatise outdoor space. However the open outdoor spaces linked to the case areas seem not to function in a wider context.The spaces are empty and under-utilised. Given the dynamic needs of this African city, are these candy-coloured gardens sustainable? How can Kampala therefore be envisaged?
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1Teaching Asst., Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Email: jmachyo@gmail.com
2Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Email: namuganyi.lil@gmail.com
1Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Email: smukiibi@cedat.ma.k.ac.ug
KAMPALA ‘S EMERGING VERNACULAR LANDSCAPE.
Three quarters of Kampala’s land is privately owned deterring local authority’s control over its development. Private land rights have fueled the growth of owner occupied houses which offer the best medium for showing individuals’ personality and aspirations. (Hamdi, 1991) Taking on owner-occupied house forms as a case study I will investigate how varying aspects of house owners have steered Kampala’s emerging vernacular landscape. The aim of the research is to enhance an interdisciplinary approach to landscape design and research.
Reference
Hamdi, N. (1991). Housing without Houses:Participation, Flexibility,Enablement. London: Intermediate Technologies Publications Ltd.
Papers
likened to the miniature models generated by design professionals. The reality is that people are not bees; the quality of space is not determined only on the basis of its visual aesthetics but also on usage and the resulting quality of life. Outdoor open space is meant to create continuity of the built fabric where buildings enable users to per- ceive a sense of territoriality.The premise is that households should be able to privatise outdoor space. However the open outdoor spaces linked to the case areas seem not to function in a wider context.The spaces are empty and under-utilised. Given the dynamic needs of this African city, are these candy-coloured gardens sustainable? How can Kampala therefore be envisaged?
1Teaching Asst., Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Email: jmachyo@gmail.com
2Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Email: namuganyi.lil@gmail.com
1Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, CEDAT, SBE, Department of Architecture and Physical Planning, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Email: smukiibi@cedat.ma.k.ac.ug
KAMPALA ‘S EMERGING VERNACULAR LANDSCAPE.
Three quarters of Kampala’s land is privately owned deterring local authority’s control over its development. Private land rights have fueled the growth of owner occupied houses which offer the best medium for showing individuals’ personality and aspirations. (Hamdi, 1991) Taking on owner-occupied house forms as a case study I will investigate how varying aspects of house owners have steered Kampala’s emerging vernacular landscape. The aim of the research is to enhance an interdisciplinary approach to landscape design and research.
Reference
Hamdi, N. (1991). Housing without Houses:Participation, Flexibility,Enablement. London: Intermediate Technologies Publications Ltd.