The Design Research Studio began by investigating the relationships between geopolitics (on an international level and intra-states of a nation) and architecture.
Geopolitics and Resource Extraction
Imperial Colonization Activism Clash
I also began researching various instances where architecture has been implemented for social good and justice. Some of the precedents include:
Makoko Floating School, Lagos by NLE UNDP Project, Borno Several architecture projects by Francis Kere in BurkinaFaso
Geopolitics and Resource Extraction
Imperial Colonization Activism Clash
CONTEXT; Niger Delta, Nigeria
“The obvious assessment so far, is that not much impact has been made on the lives hand living standards of the most ordinary people of the Niger Delta”
1999-2007)
• South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria 40+ Ethnicities, 200-250 Dialects, 3000+ Communities. Adoni, Efik, Ogoja, Annang, Ibibio, Ijaw,Itsekiri, Ikwere, Kalabari, Ogoni, Okrika, etc.
• Third Largest Delta in the world.
• Region of Vast Marshland, Rivers, Rivulets and Springs. Coastal Barrier Sandy Ridge, Mangrove Swamp, Freshwater Swamp, Low land Forest.
Huge Deposits of Hydrocarbons and Natural Gas. (500+ Oil fields, 7000km+ of Pipelines)
• First contact of European Slave-Traders and Colonialist with current day Nigeria began in the Niger Delta
First the Portugese, then the British through the Royal Niger Company
President Olusegun Obasanjo (Democratic President of Nigeria
OIL EXPLORATION IN THE NIGER DELTA
Mind-mapping the relationships in the Niger Delta
Exploration for Oil began in the Niger Delta region before the amalgamation of current day Nigeria. Expeditions for oil were interupted by Global Geopolitical Crises (WWI and WWII).
Oil was finally struck shortly before Independence, hence there has been International influence in the region over the years.
Unfortunately these influences in contribution with Local issues have devasted the environment and left the Indigenous communities the worse off.
Timeline of Oil Exploration
VIOLENCE AND MILLITANCY ACTION
The rise of violence and militancy in the Niger Delta stems from decades of marginalization, environmental degradation, and economic exploitation. These issues, compounded by government neglect and oil companies' activities, have led to violent resistance, crime, and instability in the region. The government have also reacted to these actions through variou means; Millitary Action as well Amnesty Programs, but the underlying cause for these actions have rarely been met.
Some of the Militant Groups that have formed over the years include; Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Niger Delta Avengers (NDA)
• The Bakasi Boys.
Millitary violence in the region is not a recent phenomenom, but one that has developed over time dating back to the Time of the Nigeria Civil War (1967-1970). The issues that resulted in the Civil War; Marginalization and Self Determination primarily still continue to fester in the Region.
Ironically many of the Niger Delta states were geographically involved in the quest for seccession for the proposed State of Biafra
DESIGN ACTIVISM
“Design thinking, imagination and practice applied knowingly or unknowingly to create a “Counter-Narrative” aimed at generating and balancing positive social, institutional, environmental and or economic change.
• Ideological Experimental Radical remit around contestation
• “What Could Be?”
• Seeing and Developing Alternative
• Disrupting Status Quo.
“Design Activism not Social Design” at best a combination of design activism and social design attitudes and activities.
Design Activism operates around the capital frameworks that is usually occuring in Capitalist related issues.
Natural Capital Framework
• Clean up
• Restoration
• Geology/Geography
Human Capital Framework
What if Design Activism in the Niger Delta, is decluttering the web of complexities of systems in the Niger Delta by those most affected
Social Capital Framework
Arts, culture and animism
CANOE (ARU) -RIVER HORSE
"Ebi iye timiyoyou alaghe – when you are paddling towards good things the way does not seem long” - Ijaw Proverb
• Canoes are used to provide the primary and sometimes the only means of transportation and Inter Village communication. (Roads are nonexistent and Footpaths are limited to seasonal use.
• Distance is measures by time taken to paddle from one location to another.
• Canoe effigies even play a role in shrines and rituals.
Learning to paddles seems to be largely a practical matter without religious or mythic significance, but the process plays a critical role in shaping the way people view the environment.
Speed boats – Inzini Aru
• Helicopters / Airplanes – Fuin Aru (Flying Canoes)
• Cars – Biye you Aru (Land Canoes)
Capital Frameworks Consideration
Natural Capital Framework Geography, Environments and Ecosystems
• Fresh and Salt Water Rivers, Springs, Streams, Creeks, Swamps (Fresh Water and Mangrove) Sandy Coastal Ridges and Barriers
• Flat Land Low lying terrain (Slightly above sea level).
• Wetlands, Mangrove Forests Peaty soil.
Human Capital Framework Skills, Knowledge and agency of local communities.
“Women”
Mothers
• Guardians Protectors Providers
• Mediators
Teachers Informants*.
Social Capital Framework Community Networks and Shared Cultural Identity Water Prone Environment directly shapes; Occupation; Fishing, Farming
• Animism and Beliefs Spiritual deities are depicted with masquerades in effigies of “Sacred” Organisms.
STILT ARCHETYPOLOGY
CANOE DOCKS
STILT ARCHETYPOLOGY
Site
• Forcados River Channel in the Niger Delta.
198 Km (123 Miles) Meets the sea at the Bight of Benin in Delta State. Channel for the small ships Passage for several oil companies in the Niger Delta Region for conveying crude oil.
First point of entry with Europeans (Portugese First, then the British later)
Programming Bioremediation Transportation Community Building Education and Training
Natural Erosion
Rising Sea Levels
Seasonal Floodings
• Ecological Devastation
Programming Consideration
• ADVOCACY Human Women and Children Health Human Capital Development and Education
Social
• Marginalization Resent and Disappointment in social Structure Over Millitarization Violence and Conflict
