Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 52% of the population living below the poverty line and has one of the highest rates of slums in Africa. After studying the development of African cities, I came across this dramatic fact and wondered: How can architects make a difference? I strongly believe that architects are more than just creators and that our work holds us accountable for improving the world in which we live. In that context, I can’t help but envision architecture as a tool to combat poverty. For this reason, I decided to focus on public programs: access to clean water and sanitation. That’s why the project was named “Gberkethe”, a local word meaning “outdoor”.
Gberkethe is a slum upgrading program whose goal is to transform Ropolon, a slum south of Makeni (Sierra Leona).
The project creates an urban strategy in the northern area of the slum that aims to upgrade and prevent its expansion while providing a rational and practical answer to basic needs. of people. It can be divided into two main parts. First, the “water pipe”. The street is what creates every African city and acts as a transducer for the entire region (ultimately creating a complete urban transformation) through which utilities flow into Ropolon. Second, the service module. These are the areas with water accumulation in the rainwater collection and storage center to supply the population in the dry season. Two types of modules can be distinguished: water, fountain and shower modules, and additional modules, kitchen, toilet and laundry room.