Utopia wants to be a facilitator between the different actors of the city. It develops any kind of project that facilities solutions among many actors. Currently, we are working on an urban innovation challenge in Lagos. The idea is to connect entrepreneurs and startup with government bodies, basically saying -look we have an entrepreneur that has skills in data analysis, and you as a government body have that need..-On the ground, Utopia operates through partnerships, contacting different people, NGOs, services, presenting them what we can offer in terms of brokerage to help them frame their needs. We would go to the company or gov body: we say we are going to challenge a problem and ask what kind of issue would be beneficial to solve. The scope is to work on the entire metropolitan area of Lagos. The level works at the state level because Lagos is also a state. 

Contact : lagos@utopia.do

In our campaigns, we use a combination of community organising, research, advocacy and litigation to advance urban land justice and fuel systemic change. Our theory of change holds that leverage for social change is created by bringing together the use of the law, evidence-based research, media advocacy and, importantly, a movement of people. We believe that this convergence creates the right atmosphere for social change.” (Source : Website)

Page Facebook : www.facebook.com/NdifunaUkwazi

Contact : contact@nu.org.za

“The master plan transforms Kigali into a great city to live and work in by strategically guiding its development through optimal land use and facilitating rapid economic growth. Through the inclusive and participatory master plan, the city is positioned as a financial hub of east-central Africa to attract investments and create employment. Kigali’s development is characterised by a rejuvenation of the existing urban areas, transit-oriented growth, greater focus on affordable housing development in the suburban areas and the implementation of an attractive green network system.” (website)

The master plan is composed of a map with various layers in which they say how the land is used and then the technical implementation rules. There is also an implementation action plan, which establishes the stage of implementation of the plan, the stakeholders, the modalities, formation of a permanent assembly of stakeholders. When, what the priority, who is responsible, how much it will cost and physical elements.

All of this is available/will be available online, with simplified documents for non-technical people. In addition, for those who do not have access to the phone : citizens have access to tabacconists, which are trained, and who become an emanation of the public administration.

“Surbana Jurong’s master plan for Kigali City won the Best Overseas Planning Project Award 2010 and Best Planning Project 2013 in the Singapore Institute of Planners (SIP) Planning Awards.” (website)

kigalimasterplan2050@kigalicity.gov.rw

The Community Group of Vogelmorn Bowling Club is already ‘commoning’ with the space. In fact, the Vogelmorn Bowling Club has been owned and held for the use of the community, by a Community Trust since 2016. Working bees and fund raisers are held to improve the income for the payment of electricity, maintenances, etc.

Affordable rental of the club is via booking at www.vogelmorn.nz

Sophie Jerram is working with the Vogelmorn Community as a practice-led researcher toward a PhD on spatial commoning supported by the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University of Wellington

Contact : vogelmornbc@gmail.com