The Antananarivo Urban Project Fabric Initiative: Designing public spaces with residents and users

Authors: Clémentine Laratte Warde, Rina Soafara and Olivier Bedu, African Cities Magazine No. 6

In a rapidly growing Madagascan capital, where more than 70 per cent of residents get around on foot, the Antananarivo Urban Nursery is transforming public spaces in collaboration with those who use them. At the Andraisoro and Mandroseza sites, the new developments have been accompanied by activities organised by local associations and management committees run jointly with the local council. They have opened up these spaces – previously dominated by men – to women, children and older people: the proportion of female users has risen from 20 per cent to 35–45 per cent. This pilot project raises a key question: how can these initiatives be sustained and funded whilst preserving their inclusive nature?