Editorial

Editorial - Landscapes of Hope

A stereotypical view of Africa suggests an overpopulated continent mired in poverty, with poor living conditions, environmental disasters and ineffective, or worse, corrupt governance. While some of these problems are, indeed, very real, evidence shows that there is also another reality. The diversity and resilience of African communities and their relationship with the land offer opportunities for defying these stereotypes and proving the opposite: the examples of Landscapes of Hope in this issue of the AJLA are enlightening and encouraging. This issue illustrates the multifaceted narratives embedded in African Landscape Architectures  that embody hope, resilience, healing, and transformation. The role of landscape architecture in improving urban conditions is highlighted in every article, whether about Africa or other examples from Asia and South America. The classic idea of the Green Fabric (see Issue N° 7), community participation, interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural heritage, political transformation, migration and the quest for health and well-being, both mental and physical, are all sources of hope and encouragement in our urban environments.

Urban planning and sustainable development

Over the next three decades, Africa will experience an unprecedented increase in its urban population, doubling from 700 million to 1.4 billion people by 2050 . Hugo and Hugo point out that 90% of the African population will live on 10% of the land area. It is hardly surprising, then, that several articles deal with urban planning and sustainable open space networks, whether in Africa or other parts of the world with similar demographics.

Hugo and Hugo question urban development models that prioritise aesthetics over ecological design of green spaces. This is the case in several Moroccan cities where most green spaces are lawns that consume twice as much water as shrub-based landscapes, reduce biodiversity, and rely on petrol-powered mowers and chemical fertilisers. These lawns may look attractive, but they are unsustainable. My personal Landscape of Hope is to see these lawns replaced by native vegetation that provides shade and serves as ecological corridors linking larger green spa

My hopeful dream aside, Hugo and Hugo acknowledge that a city can never be a closed ecosystem and therefore cannot be completely sustainable. However, promoting an ecosystem approach offers hope for African urban futures. Prioritising connectivity and ecological values over aesthetics in green space planning, alongside a systemic approach involving food systems, urban agriculture, and modern production and consumption models, ensures a closer alignment to nature's model of ecosystem design, offering hope for a balanced urban future.

This vision of sustainability is closely tied to preserving cultural and ecological heritage. Bharti's insights into the relationship between humans and nature provide hope for the urban poor through designed, cultural, recreational, and environmental environments. Anupama's focus on slum dwellers is relevant to African cities, ensuring that cultural preservation goes hand in hand with environmental sustainability and social equity.

Go et al.'s paper on the environmental rehabilitation efforts in Manila discusses the importance of connected green spaces that find their raison d’être in the land's topography. The need for a holistic approach to landscape rehabilitation highlights the importance of connecting fragmented green patches to promote ecological resilience and the rejuvenation of degraded landscapes.

Community empowerment, co-creation, and political transformation

The article by  Klitzner et al illustrates the potential of urban spaces to foster community, health, and well-being. The case studies present an inspirational process resulting in attractive spaces, showing the transformative power of inclusive and responsive design in fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Steenkamp and Chidyaonga's study on informal trading spaces in Cape Town emphasises the importance of co-creation in upgrading the public realm. The Smiley Market project is a valuable example of addressing informality and marginalisation in African cities, providing a pathway to economic empowerment and social inclusion.

Moving further afield to Sudan, the profound impact of political change on the cityscape of Khartoum is presented by Mona Hamad, who explores how temporary modifications to urban spaces during the 2019 protests became enduring symbols of resistance and hope. Design elements such as communal spaces for food, rest, and artistic expression played a pivotal role in nurturing the collective spirit of the protesters.

Inclusion and Displacement

People with special needs and migrants are often neglected in the planning and design of our cities. Jankilevich looks at displaced populations from a macro viewpoint, while Murage zooms in to the micro level and examines how to create spaces for children with mental disabilities. Jankilevich presents migration as an opportunity for positive transformation rather than a crisis, focusing not only on a destination but also on the corridors that migrants travel. Murage emphasises the therapeutic potential of inclusive outdoor environments in supporting the holistic development of children.

Conclusion

The diverse projects, situations, and contexts in each of these articles share a common thread: they underscore the transformative power of landscape architecture in fostering hope, resilience, and community. Whether through healing environments, resilient public spaces, symbols of resistance, safe territories for migrants, inclusive outdoor spaces, or environmental rehabilitation, the theme of hope resonates strongly.

In this spirit of hope, I invite you to explore the articles in this edition of the African Journal of Landscape Architecture and join us in envisioning and creating landscapes that embody the promise of a better future.

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