Social sustainability as a driver of environmental conservation and community resilience / prosperity.

“Mu Myembe” neighbourhood is a name that was given to an informal settlement in Kigali, Rwanda that has since sprawled along the wetland spanning “Nyabugogo” (a prominent commercial and transport hub) to what is known as “Rwandex” industrial park. It is a neighbourhood in close proximity to the “Gikondo” industrial area. 

It is believed that the neighbourhood emerged in the late 80’s as shelter for workers linked to the industrial zones and construction sites of the major buildings on that hill. The neighbourhood however, was vacated during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.  Over the years, as Rwanda gained stability and a sense of promise, the population of “Mu Myembe” has increased as a result – drastically being influenced by the return of refugees and rural-urban exodus in search for security and job opportunities.

In terms of architecture, it then becomes an interesting opportunity to explore what shape this neighbourhood could take from primarily a social sustainability lens. In addition, key questions that emerge from an architectural, anthropological and art perspective would include: How do we integrate what it means to dwell and thrive socioeconomically? How do we deal with realities about site, site repair and environmental conservation? As such, this project’s aim is to explore how a community can be emancipated in the midst of conflicting realities – a wetland and land tenure.