The Somali civil war broke out in 1986. The Islamic tribunals were commenced in 2006. Five years later, in 2011 the youth department of the Dutch/Somali Karti foundation opted for a different approach – to put aside power, politics, weapon-mongering and diplomatic calls for peace, albeit for a while. To let go of these painful subjects, just like the land itself, which – however damaged – is simply moving on.
Urban Plan Mogadishu
Frans Werter and Fulco Treffers of 12N Architects worked with five members of Karti – Ahmed Abdisalaam, Ismael Moalim, Mohamed Elmi, Khalid Mohamed and Raha Omar – on an analysis of Mogadishu. The assignment brought several productive socio-economic topics to the surface – productive elements, intended to get things moving, to offer people space and imagination with which to strengthen their search for normal, everyday routine:
Approach – opinionated, armed with nerve and perseverance. Independent, but with a good feel for the political context
Network – local and international
Roots – Linked with the city, culture and history
Place/Time – making use of the lull (in space and time), building on infrastructure
Money – variety of sources
Knowledge – quality of work, high (international) knowledge levels.
Leave a comment