Circular Future Cities

Studio leader: Dr Calayde Davey, Dr Taiwo Afinowi (postdoctoral student).

We care about the future of our cities and ask: what do we need to do to create a thriving urban future? What steps must we take to cultivate a flourishing urban future? How can we unlock projects that adeptly tackle the escalating complexity of our societies?

This studio explores big-picture spatial strategic thinking, applying principles of fundamental urban design theory, systems thinking, and visualisation to produce an urban strategy for an alternative future for a city. In this studio, we learn how to ask essential questions about the future of cities, and how to create a systemic spatial strategy that could transform the future trajectory of the city.

This studio's interdisciplinary approach blends urban design theory, systems thinking, and critical dialectic visualisation, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the local complexities of a city. The studio provides a unique learning experience, combining theoretical knowledge with multi-stakeholder engagement and practical skills development. Students practise to develop their critical and analytical skills while exploring essential questions about our current and future urban habitats in Africa. Studio conversations often revolve around topics of hyper-density, urban feedback loops, the nexus of economics and society, and the interplay between urban culture and technology. This studio helps students to develop strategic leadership skills in shaping the future of African cities. It lays the groundwork for skill development in long-term strategic thinking, envisioning systemic and spatial change outcomes, and fostering innovative problem-solving abilities. Students will have the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of a local city's challenges and opportunities for change. The studio outcomes require that students devise spatial strategy solutions that are innovative, transformative, and capable of regeneration on a larger scale. The culmination of the studio is a visual urban strategy—a roadmap for a regenerative, happier, healthier, and sustainable urban future.