ARC3264 Human Settlements

In Ekistics(the science of human settlements), five elements are considered; Nature, Man, Society, Shells(Buildings) and Networks. (Doxiadis 1968)

Recent global debates and literature confirm that due to rapid growth of urbanization especially global south, human settlements have become ‘vulnerable’ and incapable of meeting the present and future demands; be it socially, economically or ecologically. 

The module introduces students to history, evolution and process of human settlements with a specific focus on nature and networks. Through defining related concepts, students get to know how to observe and interpreted existing scenarios globally, in Africa and eventually in Rwanda. 

Rwanda is one of the few African countries keen on promoting urbanization and domesticating the Sustainable Development Goals -SDGs and the new urban agenda NUA. This process is constantly challenged by the nature of a city highly characterized by rapid and informal urbanization as well as absence of urban public open space (Malonza 2018).

Therefore, this trimester, the module will focus on the subject of Housing and Sustainable Development in Rwanda in order to align with several ongoing interventions on the same.