Outros Bairros Rehabilitation Programme, Mindelo Landscape Photos, Cape Verde Public Realm Design, Architect

Outros Bairros Rehabilitation Programme, Mindelo, Cape Verde

3 June 2022

Architect: OUTROS BAIRROS / Nuno Flores

Location: Alto de Bomba district, port of Mindelo, northern part of the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde

Outros Bairros Rehabilitation Programme in Mindelo

The initiative intends to introduce urban informality into the national housing and territory policy as a form of urbanisation:

photo : Nuno Flores

Outros Bairros Rehabilitation Programme in Mindelo, Cape Verde

Growing out of a design initiative at the local Institute of Art, Technology and Culture, this rehabilitation of the Alto de Bomba district of the port city of Mindelo is rooted in the day-to-day life of the population.

Overview of the different intervention areas:

It works through construction, listening and collaboration – defining policy alternatives that recognise informality as a valid method of urbanisation.

he design team was daily immersed in the everyday life of the neighbourhood’s residents:

photo : Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Amir Anoushfar (photographer)

The urban rehabilitation has increased the proximity and allowed residents to execute works in their own neighbourhoods:

photo : Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Amir Anoushfar (photographer)

Its projects form public space; upgrade drainage, electricity, water and sanitation systems; and include three specific urban-rehabilitation schemes.

The project is participative. It engages local contractors and allowed the training of local inhabitants who took an active part in the construction:

photo : Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Amir Anoushfar (photographer)

Using local materials (chiefly stone, commonly found in the surrounding quarries) enabled capacity building and training in construction, which allowed residents to execute works in their own neighbourhoods and enhanced their sense of belonging.

Over two years of activity, it provided work experience for 25 architects and around 60 residents – and directly affected the public space of 171 households and 1,500 residents.

The spaces created are essentially public spaces of diverse and collective use:

photo : Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Amir Anoushfar (photographer)

Mindelo Rehabilitation Programme in Cape Verde – Building Information

Title: Outros Bairros Rehabilitation Programme
Award Cycle: 2020-2022 Cycle
Status: Shortlisted
Country of origin: Cape Verde

Client: Ministerio das Infraestruturas Ordenamento do Territorio e Habitaçao
Architect: OUTROS BAIRROS / Nuno Flores
Completed: 2020

The use of local materials such as stone for the walls and pavements enabled the residents to train in the field of civil construction:

photo : Aga Khan Trust for Culture / Amir Anoushfar (photographer)

The rehabilitation includes public spaces, upgrading of drainage, electricity, water and sanitation systems; and include three specific urban-rehabilitation schemes.

The daily participation of local workers and residents reinforces their appropriation of the new public spaces.

Photographs: Nuno Flores

2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture Shortlist

Outros Bairros Rehabilitation Programme, Mindelo, Cape Verde images / information received 020622 from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture – AKAA

Location: Mindelo, northern São Vicente, Cape Verde, off the north west coast of Africa

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