Daigo 6

2023

Introduction

DAIGO 6 was a live project assignment for a group of six members of the Master of Architecture course in University of the West of England – Bristol (UWE). The project was based on the sustainable urban and environmental issues in The Gambia. This was a collaborative project with 12 students of Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI). The students were guided and observed by the allocated project facilitator. The project participants were trained by the Daughters of Africa (DOAF) who did the initial delivery of the training to broaden awareness of students’ knowledge of Africa. The goal was to discuss and propose design recommendations that addressed key issues focusing mainly on the infrastructure development and drainage and wastewater disposal systems in the urban context. The result could lead to the establishment of a better living environment for the local community and additionally would uplift the economy of the country.

Scope of Works

The goal of the project was to prepare recommendations for local authorities based on our research with the Gambian students. This may serve as a learning material to better understand urban issues and the options for solving them for all parties. The hopeful impact for the current and future decision makers would be to understand the problems and to find solutions.

Our current responsibilities prior to visiting in The Gambia consisted of:

Preparation of presentation to Gambian partners to develop connections and a better understanding of the problems to establish the focus of our research.
Research of sustainable urban development and problems related to transport and water management in urban zone of The Gambia.
Preparation of locally related mapping based on the information received from our Gambian partners.
Logistical preparation: organising vaccines/visas.
Responsibilities while in The Gambia:
Site visits and documentation of conversations to assist with further research on site.
Preparation and presentation of findings to be represented to facilitator and other students from GTTI which is now known as The University of Science, Engineering and Technology (USET).
Preparation of visual record of the process for UWE

Traffic Congestions in Serrakunda

Conclusion

“Town Planning in the Gambia is still at an infant stage and is still evolving” (Keita, M. 2023) It is our aim to suggest possible strategies to contribute to the organisation of town planning in The Gambia. We hope our research and output will be considered by the professionals working on the ground on current issues. We urge the government to collaborate throughout various departments and with communities to come up with the most suitable and sustainable solutions.