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Accepted Paper:

A place for creative exchange? The role of culture, arts and creativity in urban planning in east Africa  
Stephanie Koenen (Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs)

Paper short abstract:

The paper explores linkages between urban planning and local creative practice in the cities of Kampala, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. It reviews respective policy initiatives and presents creative work that critically engages with social and economic urban transformation in the three cities.

Paper long abstract:

Africa's cities are experiencing significant changes in their social, cultural and economic ecology. With urbanisation being a key phenomenon, many African governments are developing new urban planning schemes to address the future demand. While city planning offers spatial and political visions, architecture, culture and creative expression play a crucial role in defining, shaping and sustaining the urban environment.

The paper explores the relationship between cultural and creative practice and urban planning in East Africa. Focussing on the three cities of Kampala, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, it seeks to reveal the role of arts, architecture and culture in current city planning. This could entail involvement of local creative practitioners in designing future visions and encouraging public engagement, or refer to any intended specific provision of support for the cultural sector. With city planning projects often being designed and conducted by international consultancies, the interplay between local and global ideas will be of particular interest for the analysis.

In the light of initial discussions around an African Creative Cities Network based on the UNESCO Creative Cities programme, on the one hand, the paper will review respective national and city-based cultural policy initiatives. At the same time, it explores local creative initiatives that engage with, and contribute to, urban development. By critically reflecting upon the findings in terms of existing notions of 'creative cities', the paper aims at contributing to the broader debate on 'place-making' and the opportunities of culture and creativity for African city development.

Panel P052
Designing African creative cities
  Session 1