In an exclusive interview with MWN, UM6P professor Radoine challenges the dominant industry narrative, which often prioritizes technological bells and whistles over human-centered solutions and sustainable practices.
Africa is on the cusp of a historic urban transformation. By 2050, the continent’s urban population is projected to double, with cities becoming hubs of economic activity and innovation.
This rapid urbanization presents both challenges and opportunities. While it can fuel economic growth and social progress, it also risks exacerbating existing inequalities and straining already-limited resources.
In recent years, the concept of "smart cities" has gained significant traction across the world. The allure of technology-driven solutions promises to address pressing urban challenges – from traffic congestion and waste management to energy inefficiency and public safety.
However, a critical question emerges: are these solutions truly tailored to the unique context of African cities?
In an era where technology increasingly dictates the development of urban spaces, Hassan Radoine, professor and director of the School of Architecture Planning and Design at UM6P, provides a refreshing perspective.
With an extensive background in architecture and city planning, Radoine emphasizes the need for a “human-centered approach to smart cities,” especially within the context of African urban environments.
Radoine’s academic and professional journey is a testament to his commitment to architecture and urban planning. Educated at the National School of Architecture in Rabat, with further studies in London and the University of Pennsylvania, he has a rich background that bridges both practice and academia.
His book, "Architecture in Context: Designing in the Middle East", and his involvement in the UNESCO program for the conservation of Medina affairs including leadership roles in institutions across the Middle East and Africa highlight his profound understanding of both historical heritage and modern urban dynamics.
In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News (MWN), he challenges the dominant narrative, which often prioritizes technological bells and whistles over human-centered solutions and sustainable practices.
Defining smartness beyond technology
The current smart city discourse often champions technological solutions with limited consideration for the specific needs and contexts of African urban centers. Radoine emphasizes the pitfalls of replicating models designed for developed nations with high population densities.
A 2018 report by the World Bank highlights the need for "context-specific" approaches, acknowledging that "one-size-fits-all solutions" are unlikely to succeed in Africa's diverse urban landscapes. Radoine critiques the practice of "parachuting" solutions from the global north, which often fail to consider the specific socio-cultural and environmental contexts of African nations.
His concept of "gadget cities" aptly captures the limitations of this approach. These cities fixate on shiny new technologies like self-driving cars and automated grids, neglecting the fundamental challenges faced by many African cities: inadequate infrastructure, limited access to clean water and sanitation, and sprawling informal settlements.
"Smartness started with ITC, with all the information technology," he notes, but warns against allowing the notion to be "hijacked by technology gigs."
He stresses the need for smart solutions that are not just about gadgets and connectivity but that integrate human aspects, particularly in planning. "We never took these fragmented smart solutions within the realm of urban territorial planning. We need to first plan the city," he explains to MWN.
A report published by the UN Habitat for a better future estimates that more than half of Africa’s population (61.7%) lives in urban areas and that, at the same time, the number of African city dwellers is set to rise from 400 million to 1.2 billion. These figures underline the urgency of meeting basic infrastructure needs.
This focus on technology for its own sake ignores the importance of “institutional capacity”. Many African cities lack the robust governance structures, skilled workforce, and regulations essential for implementing and maintaining complex technological solutions.
Furthermore, a purely technology-driven approach risks exacerbating existing inequalities. High-tech solutions may be inaccessible or irrelevant to the significant portion of the population living in poverty.
According to the World Bank, in 2015, 41% of sub-Saharan Africans lived below the international poverty line of $1.90 per day. Smart solutions must be inclusive, ensuring affordability and accessibility for all residents.
Radoine’s call for orchestration resonates with this critique. It emphasizes the need to integrate diverse technologies within a comprehensive urban plan that addresses specific local challenges.
"Connectivity and smartness for me is to enhance urban performance at the smart city and territorial equity," he states to MWN. This plan should build upon existing informal networks and local knowledge systems, rather than simply imposing a technological overlay.
Radoine argues that the concept of a smart city is particularly pertinent in Africa, where traditional urban planning often falls short. "In Africa, we need smartness to substitute the weak performance of infrastructure," he asserts.
The African cityscape, with its complex mobility issues, pollution, and informal settlements, demands innovative solutions that go beyond mere connectivity and gadgetry.
"The arithmetics of artificial intelligence in the African city are more complex than in European cities," he notes, highlighting the need for a tailored approach to urban planning.
Smart solutions for urban and rural integration
A key contribution Radoine added to the interview was on the topic of "smart territories." This framework recognizes that Africa’s urban landscape is not solely characterized by dense megacities.
The Global economy magazine estimates that in 2022 over 50% of the continent’s population lives in rural areas. A significant portion of the population resides in rural settlements and engages in agricultural activities. Smart territories acknowledge this reality by extending the focus beyond traditional city boundaries.
Technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing connectivity in these dispersed regions. A 2023 GSMA report indicates that mobile phone penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa has reached 43%, with significant potential for further growth. Mobile phone networks can connect farmers to markets, provide access to vital information on weather patterns and crop prices, and facilitate telemedicine services.
Data analytics can be used to assess resource availability (water, soil quality), inform land management practices (precision agriculture), and promote agricultural innovation (e.g., developing drought-resistant crops).
This approach aligns with the concept of “territorial innovation”, which aims to leverage local resources and knowledge to foster economic development and social cohesion across an entire region.
Smart territories can act as catalysts for rural revitalization, attracting investments in renewable energy production, sustainable agriculture, and eco-tourism. This can help bridge the gap between rural and urban areas, promoting a more balanced and inclusive development model.
For instance, a 2023 World Bank project in western Kenya utilizes mobile phone technology to connect farmers with weather data and market information, leading to increased crop yields and improved livelihoods. This exemplifies the potential of smart territories to empower rural communities and promote sustainable resource management practices.
From technocratic fixes to people-centered design
Radoine’s emphasis on a "people-centered" approach is crucial. Smart cities and territories should not be about technological prowess alone. They must serve the needs and aspirations of the people who inhabit them.
This requires a shift from top-down solutions to embracing a participatory planning process that actively involves residents in decision making.
One critical aspect is fostering a sense of “community identity” within smart cities and territories. Radoine warns against the homogenizing tendencies of modern urban planning, which can lead to sterile landscapes devoid of cultural significance.
Technology can be employed to celebrate local heritage, create vibrant public spaces, and foster social interaction. For example, augmented reality applications can showcase historical sites and cultural landmarks, while digital platforms can facilitate communication and collaboration between residents.
Furthermore, the focus, according to the professor, should be on social inclusion. Smart solutions must address issues like affordable housing, accessible public transportation, and equitable access to educational and employment opportunities.
Technology can be used to improve waste management, deliver social services more efficiently (e.g., e-governance platforms), and promote safety and security in marginalized communities (e.g., smart surveillance systems coupled with robust data privacy regulations).
From Radoine’s perspective “Social equity” should be a cornerstone of smart city/territory development. This means ensuring that the benefits of technology are distributed fairly and that vulnerable populations are not excluded.
Data governance practices need to be carefully considered to prevent digital redlining (exclusion from services based on data analysis) and ensure data privacy for all citizens.
Navigating the untapped potential
Radoine’s critique extends to the realm of urban planning. Smart cities and territories cannot arise from a haphazard approach of "solving problems with smart solutions."
They require a clear vision anchored in comprehensive urban planning processes. These plans must be long-term, flexible, and adaptable to changing needs and technological advancements.
According to the professor, strategic foresight is critical. Cities need to consider the potential impacts of climate change, resource scarcity, and demographic shifts when crafting smart city or territory plans.
Investing in green infrastructure (e.g., urban parks, green roofs), promoting renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind), and fostering climate-resilient communities (e.g., early warning systems for natural disasters) should be core priorities.
Radoine called for a demystification of the smart city concept. He emphasizes the need to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and instead use technology strategically to address Africa’s specific requirements.
This involves prioritizing sustainability, resilience, and people-centered development. His work with the newly established International Center of Territorial Innovation and Smart Performance at UM6P, in partnership with UN-Habitat, exemplifies this commitment.
Reframing development and the power of youth
Radoine challenges the traditional narrative that positions Africa as a passive recipient of Western technologies and aid. He proposes a framework centered on "African smartness," which leverages the continent’s rich cultural capital and traditional knowledge through a digital lens.
Building on established critiques of industrialization within urban planning literature, Radoine argues that the model prioritizes mechanical efficiency at the expense of social and environmental well-being.
He highlights the concept of "externalities" (negative consequences borne by those not directly involved in an activity) to illustrate how industrialization has resulted in climate change, a problem Africa has demonstrably not caused, as demonstrated by a 2022 study of the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC).
Africa's young generation, with their inherent adaptability and openness to technology, has the potential to become a global leader in innovation. Radoine identifies that burgeoning youth population as a crucial asset. This stands in contrast to the aging populations of the global north, where established systems might hinder innovation.
This perspective challenges the traditional flow of knowledge and innovation from north to south. Radoine envisions a future where Africa’s "smartness" becomes a source of inspiration for the world, reversing the current dynamic.
Living heritage and the role of artificial intelligence
Moving beyond a purely critical perspective, Radoine proposes a framework centered on Africa’s "living heritage." This concept draws on existing research on the embodied wisdom in traditional architecture and community structures. The example of Moroccan medinas, with their passive cooling features, demonstrates pre-existing "smartness" embedded within these structures.
However, Radoine clarifies that his vision is not about mere preservation or aesthetic revival. He emphasizes the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools. Here, the concept of "dismantling" resonates with recent work on digital heritage preservation, which goes beyond simply archiving artifacts to extracting underlying knowledge structures.
AI could be used to analyze traditional design principles and extract core principles of resilience that can inform the design of new sustainable built environments.
Resilience as cultural capital and endogenous development
The interview offered a novel perspective on resilience. Moving beyond the disaster risk reduction focus, Radoine defines resilience as “the collective knowledge base accumulated through generations of overcoming challenges”. This aligns with the concept of "cultural capital", developed by the French author Pierre Bourdieu, which emphasizes the value of embodied knowledge and skills within a particular society.
Radoine argues that this "resilience as cultural capital" forms the foundation for true, sustainable development. He emphasizes the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within Africa’s youth, moving beyond dependence on aid. This aligns with the concept of "endogenous development", which promotes self-reliance and local ownership of development processes.
While Radoine’s perspective offers a compelling framework, further research is needed.
Firstly, how can AI and digital tools be most effectively utilized to extract valuable lessons from Africa’s living heritage?
Secondly, how can the concept of "resilience as cultural capital" be operationalized to inform development strategies on a larger scale? This might involve developing metrics to measure cultural capital and assess its impact on development outcomes.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Mahamadou Simpara
Quelle/Source: Morocco World News, 16.07.2024
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