Date: Thursday 27/05/2021

Time: 13:00 – 15:00

Host: African Architecture Matters

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Develop design tools and methodologies for safe and inclusive playgrounds using roleplaying

We want to enable community actors to transform their surroundings and to become an essential part of making the city. Currently, playgrounds are either non-existing or pre-fabricated, gender-biased, and uninviting. We believe children need safe spaces to play, an environment that stimulates curiosity develops skills and expresses creativity.

Participants are invited to develop a playground and discuss key themes such as design tools, methods and materials through a fun role-playing activity. This session will not only explore new ideas but will also bring to attention issues and challenges that we might encounter during our upcoming project launch.

Erini Xanthopoulou

Erini Xanthopoulou (IRIX) graduated from the department of Architecture and Engineering at Democritus University of Thrace in Xanthi, Greece (BSc./MSc. 2008). Erini  has a long-standing experience from work in design for children. She has been involved in numerous projects which have children, their education, development and creativity in focus. Her expertise involves designing and constructing playgrounds in the Netherlands together with the local communities (www.creatiefbeheer.nl). Together with Iraklis she is the founder of the architectural firm IRIX, where they are working across the fields of architecture, urbanism, interior design and product design.

Alexandra Papadaki 

Alexandra Papadaki (AAM) graduated from the department of Architecture and Engineering at Democritus University of Thrace in Xanthi, Greece (BSc./MSc. 2011) and continued her studies in Design for Sustainable Development at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden (MSc. 2014). Alexandra has worked as an external consultant in Zanzibar’s Urban Planning department for several years and is an executive associate of African Architecture Matters, a research and action center on the African built environment. She is also a partner in FBW Urbanists + Architects, with which she has worked on projects in the Netherlands, Tanzania and Uganda. Alexandra has also collaborated with UNESCO, the World Bank and other international organizations on urban planning, sustainable urban development and community engagement programs. In her free time she is active in advocating for pressing social issues in the fields of architecture and urban planning.

Franka van Marrewijk

Franka van Marrewijk (AAM) studied architecture and did a masters in Urbanism at the TUDelft, Netherlands. She wrote her thesis about public space and infrastructure in the fast-growing city of Dar es Salaam. Simultaneously she took on the opportunity to coordinate a design studio with local urban planning students as part of The World Bank Tanzania team. Currently, Franka is a partner in FBW urbanists + architects in the Netherlands, an associate of AAMatters and is working on various design and consultation projects in East Africa. She is passionate about context sensitive and environmentally conscious urban development and enthusiastic in tackling new, valuable projects and interventions.