Abraham R. Matamanda – författare

The housing and human settlement sector is fast changing, and technology is making it more complex than ever before. With reference to Zimbabwe, a developing country in Southern Africa, the essence of this book is to bring out housing as an issue within the technology debate and practice. The following themes emerge from the 6 chapters in the book:  

• The characterisation and conceptualisation of housing and technology and the nexus of both 

• The complexity of housing challenges and the problems governments face in providing adequate housing, especially for the poor

• Diverse practices in housing construction through the application of different typologies of technology

• Discussion of alternative policy approaches that may guide technology integration in housing development. 

This book focuses on the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on the welfare of the urban poor in the city of Harare, Zimbabwe. The authors look through the lenses of the urban health penalty, the right to the city, complexity theory, and distributive justice theory. These four theories help situate the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the urban poor in the theoretical foundations that raise issues of how the poor are affected by disease/health pandemics, due to their living conditions. Uniquely, the authors use remote ethnography tools such as rich texts, video diaries and photo uploads to provide evidence-based stories of how COVID-19 mobility restrictions have affected poor urbanites in Harare.

The book concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic mandatory lockdowns have deepened social and spatial inequality among the urban poor, threatening their right to the city. The socio-economic impacts can upsurge poverty, increase unemployment and the risks of hunger and food insecurity, reinforce existing inequalities, and break social harmony in the cities, even past the COVID-19 pandemic period. These socioeconomic impacts must be considered to make just cities for all, from a right-to-the-city perspective. The authors recommend that mandatory COVID-19 lockdowns should not only be treated as a law-and-order operation but as a medical intervention to stem the spread of the virus backed by measures to safeguard the livelihoods of the urban poor while also protecting the economy. This means governments should provide social safety nets to informal sector operators whose income-generating activities are affected the most during the time of emergencies like COVID-19. Planners and policymakers should re-envision pandemic-resilient cities that are just, equitable, resilient, and sustainable.

The book provides insights into urban infrastructure debates and discourses in Zimbabwe. Through an inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach, the book explores the theoretical, conceptual and lived experiences in urban infrastructure. The book focuses on case studies relating to urban transport, public housing, water and sanitation and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) among other substantive issues relating to urban infrastructure and services.

This book discusses a crucial paradigm shift in urban planning and architectural design, addressing the urgent need for sustainability  and adaptation in the face of rapidly changing climate and urban landscapes.

Ideal for urban planners, architects, researchers, and policymakers, this book weaves together cutting-edge research and innovative applications from the 7th edition of the international conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development organized by IEREK in collaboration with the Architecture Department at the University of Florence, Italy. Through a collection of double-blind peer-reviewed papers, it offers a cohesive narrative emphasizing the vital role of spatial design at all scales.

Readers will explore diverse case studies, from bustling megacities to forgotten villages, showcasing the local impacts of global challenges and the efforts to prevent, neutralize or mitigate them. With an insightful blend of qualitative and quantitative methods, the book uncovers the multi-functionality of blue-green infrastructure, the potentials of urban voids, and the urgent need for ecological transition. Unveiling the gap between current governance instruments and pressing challenges, this book serves as a compass for crafting inclusive, livable, and environmentally conscious cities and communities.

The main aim of this book is to understand the interplay between the SDGs and urban health. This is a critical issue in cities, considering the complexity of health issues and how they transcend most SDGs. However, the SDGs are premised on a broad set of generalised indicators and targets. Simultaneously, local contexts differ; thus, a one-size-fits-all understanding of urban health problems is not helpful. Therefore, the SDGs require Health in All Policies (HiAP) – “an approach to public policy across sectors that systematically takes into account the health implications of decisions, seeks synergies and avoids harmful health impacts to improve population health and health equity” (Ramirez-Rubio et al. 2019). In applying the HiAP concept, this book adopts a case study approach and considers the poor neighborhoods of a South African city, specifically Bloemfontein, part of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. Each chapter presented in the book considers a particular SDG and how that goal relates to urban health.

This book covers a critical topic, including green building design, sustainable urban mobility, renewable energy integration, and the use of advanced technologies to minimize environmental impact. Through comprehensive analysis and practical case studies, it highlights how thoughtful design and planning can transform urban areas into resilient, eco-friendly spaces. Also, it explores the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing sustainable practices in urban planning and architectural design. It highlights successful projects from around the world, demonstrating innovative solutions that address issues. Aimed at professionals, researchers, and students, this book provides valuable insights and actionable strategies for fostering sustainable growth. It serves as an essential guide for anyone committed to creating cities and buildings that not only meet the needs of the present but also safeguard the well-being of future generations. Through its comprehensive coverage and forward-thinking approach, it inspires a new era of urban transformation focused on sustainability and resilience.