A Kansas City design team hopes its model for a prefabricated village can bring "simple, high-quality vernacular architecture" to the country's rural communities.
The prototype, to be installed on a 12.5 acre site near the village of Maai Mahui in the Rift Valley, includes structures for a community center, medical facility, sewing school and factory, facility for children with special needs, recreation center and a public library and internet cafe.
Plans call for expanding the prototype gradually to accommodate community needs, Gunnar Hand writes:
"A proponent of multi-transitional growth housing, [architect Philippe] Barriere said his design is slated to be the first of many such installations on the Kenyan site. As funding allows through partnerships and donations, structures will organically grow into each other over time."
The model village is on display in Kansas City through mid-2011, when is will be dismantled, shipped to Kenya and reassembled by local workers.
The prefab community center designed by Philippe Barriere Collective.
FULL STORY: Shipping a Vernacular Village Out to Africa
Appreciating Rural Cultural Resources
A focus on ‘placemaking’ too often obscures or exploits local culture and history.
Aerial Cable Cars as Urban Transport
While often thought of as only for tourists in mountain areas, aerial cable cars have proven to be effective in providing transportation in urban areas, such as across rivers in New York City and freeways in Portland.
Breaking the Bias on Public Transport
How gender-sensitive data collection can make public transit safer for women.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)