Episode 28: How DO Architecture Co-Designs for Dignity After Disaster | Omar Degan

July 11, 2025

What does it mean to rebuild with dignity after disaster strikes?

In this episode of Urban Limitrophe, we speak with architect Omar Degan, founder of DO Architecture and the Fragility Lab. Together, they explore how architecture can be a tool for healing, not just shelter — and how co-designing with communities leads to more just, resilient spaces in the aftermath of crisis.

Omar shares his journey designing in fragile contexts — from post-conflict housing in Somalia to consulting for the UN — and how his work challenges traditional top-down models of humanitarian aid. Instead of quick fixes, his approach centers culture, collaboration, and care.

You’ll learn how DO Architecture uses emergency design to center communities in fragile contexts, and why beauty, dignity, and belonging should never be seen as luxuries — even in disaster recovery.

Whether you're a planner, designer, changemaker, or curious listener, this conversation invites you to rethink how we rebuild, who we build for, and what’s possible when communities lead the way.

Guest: Omar Degan

Omar Degan is a professor of architecture and the Principal of Do Architecture Group, an architecture firm based between Somalia, Italy and the USA specialising in emergency architecture, post-conflict reconstruction and fragile contexts.

His firm's principle lies in designing culturally, historically and climatically relevant solutions to social problems worldwide, with a particular focus on the most fragile contexts and communities.

Omar obtained his Master in Architecture for Sustainability and Built Environment from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Polytechnic University of Turin ( Italy) where he also earned his Post-graduate degree in Emergency contexts and developing countries.

In 2022 he become an Obama Leader and in 2023 co-founded the FragilityLab, a research and non-profit organization that aims to support the process of peace and development through architecture in the most distressed areas of the world.

With a global portfolio spanning Asia, South America, and Africa, he has contributed his expertise to numerous projects worldwide. His extensive experience in the field of architecture has been instrumental in establishing an inclusive and professional architecture office.

Learn more: DO Architecture and FragilityLab

Timestamps

Forthcoming

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is supported by the Nurubian, the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.

Support

Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com or DM on social media!

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, best friend, babysitter, barber ... leave a review, or you can buy me a coffee here!

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What's New in Season 2 of Urban Limitrophe?

July 09, 2025

Bold ideas. Real places. Powerful stories.

What do you build when the systems around you fall short?

That’s the question guiding Season 2 of Urban Limitrophe — a podcast about the people and places reshaping how we live together. This season, we journey across continents, through cities, and into communities — from Botswana to Nova Scotia, Tunisia to Togo, Greece to Côte d’Ivoire — to explore how everyday people are building more just, creative, and caring urban futures.

From continental water pipelines to post-conflict recovery, from food justice to Community Land Trusts (CLTs), Season 2 dives into the ideas and actions transforming cities across Africa and the diaspora.

We speak with architects, artists, activists, and changemakers — people who are not just imagining what could be, but building it with what they have. They’re growing food in crowded cities. Reclaiming land stolen from Black communities. Designing places of healing after crisis. And reminding us that innovation doesn’t always come in the form of shiny new tech — sometimes, it looks like trust, tradition, or a new way of gathering.

Why a New Season?

Season 2 marks a new chapter for Urban Limitrophe. It’s still rooted in thoughtful storytelling and grounded research — but it’s reaching wider, listening deeper, and connecting across borders more intentionally.

This season was made possible thanks to the support of The Nurubian and the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto — and the incredible voices who joined us along the way.

What to Expect

Stories from cities and communities across Africa and the diaspora
Conversations on innovation, land, housing, heritage, climate, cycling, and more
Thoughtful interviews with planners, scholars, creatives, and community leaders
Audio episodes available on all major platforms — and on the airwaves via MET Radio 1280AM in Toronto as part of our new segment, the Urbanist Radio Hour.
Two new episodes in French!

Listen to the Season 2 Trailer

Ready for a preview of what’s ahead?

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Here’s to bold ideas, real places, and powerful stories — now and always.

And don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.

Episode 27: How Civic Action Shapes Cities and What to Avoid When Building Megacities From Scratch | Dafe Oputu

November 30, 2024

The built environment is a reflection of political decisions. The officials you elect shape the environment around you. So, what happens if people don’t participate in the voting process?

In this episode, we delve into the critical intersection of civic action and urban development with our insightful guest, Dafe Oputu. We’ll explore the urban landscapes of Accra, Ghana; Cotonou, Benin; and Lagos, Nigeria, examining how trust and accountability in municipal governance shape these cities. We’ll discuss different cities' strategies to encourage public participation and civic action, and why voting is crucial for building better cities. Together we also unpack Africa's obsession with megacities, like Akon City and Eko Atlantic (and how to avoid creating ghost cities).

Key insights from the episode include:

The importance of public participation and voting in shaping urban environments
How colonial legacies continue to influence municipal governance structures today, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
The strategies different cities are using to encourage public participation and civic action
The implications of governance and public participation when attempting to build cities from scratch
The concept of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and their impact within the African context

Guest: Dafe Oputu

Dafe Oputu is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto's Department of Political Science, specialising in democratisation and urban politics in West Africa. He is also the digital media coordinator for the Elite Africa Project, a research project highlighting African agency and leadership.

Learn more: Twitter and LinkedIn

Timestamps

Forthcoming

Show Notes

Akon City
Diamniado City
Eko Atlantic
Elite Africa Project
Episode 21: How the Charter Cities Institute Promotes Inclusive and Adaptable Planning for Sustainable New Cities
New Cairo
The Blank Slate Fantasy: The Promise and Pitfalls of International Charter Cities
Zombiescapes Africa's Megacity Addiction

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.

Support

Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com or DM on social media!

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, Architect, Athropologist, Acrobat ... leave a review, or you can buy me a coffee here!

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop for upcoming episodes and opportunities to engage with guests and the show.

Episode 26: How the Just Cities Project is Using 3D Modeling to Co-Design Smart Cities in Kenya | Titus Kaloki

October 24, 2024

What makes a city truly smart? Or just? The answer lies with the people.

In this episode, we explore the human-centric side of Smart Cities with our guest Titus Kaloki from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Kenya office. Through their Just Cities Project, Titus is on a mission to make cities both smart and just, leveraging technology to put people at the center of urban planning.

Titus and his team have been leveraging an innovative software called Urban Collective Design Environment (U_CODE) to achieve an 85% participation rate in their Just Cities Project in the KMC informal settlement in Nakuru City, Kenya. This process brings together local government, urban planners, and citizens to co-design the future of the city using 3D modelling software.

Join us as we dive into how this approach results in community-informed plans that conform to urban guidelines and zoning while saving time, money, and reducing frustration for all parties involved.

Key insights from the episode include:

The core principles of Smart Cities and how to make sure they remain inclusive and just
The foundational elements of Just Cities and the opportunities and challenges of making them a reality
How to use technology like U_CODE to enhance citizen participation and engagement in urban planning
Insights and advice on applying these principles and technologies in other urban contexts

Guest: Titus Kaloki

Titus Kaloki is a social justice champion with a keen focus on realizing just urbanization. He currently leads the Just Cities & Politics department at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Kenya office and has experience in enabling urban actors resolve challenges to provision and access to public goods and services in urban areas. He loves reading, travelling, community service and having a good laugh with friends!

Learn more: LinkedIn

Timestamps

00:00 — Can Informal Settlements Use Smart City Technology?
00:35 — What Comes to Mind When You Hear “Smart City”?
02:07 — Introducing Titus Kaloki & the Just Cities Project
04:10 — Public Participation & the Meaning of a Just City
05:25 — Smart Cities in Africa: Promise vs. Reality
06:58 — The Three Core Principles of Smart Cities
09:15 — The Four Principles of a Just City
14:07 — What Is UCODE? How 3D modeling and co-design are transforming urban planning in Nakuru City
17:45 — 85% Participation in an Informal Settlement
19:26 — Why UCODE Works Differently
24:08 — Setting Realistic Expectations in Community Engagement
27:00 — What Residents Actually Prioritized
29:15 — From Participation to Public Investment How Nakuru City adopted and funded community priorities.
31:27 — Main Challenges Behind the Project
35:25 — Capacity Building & Civic Agency: Teaching residents urban planning, participation, and advocacy.
36:29 — Breaking the Myth That Low-Income Communities Can’t Use Technology: Why the project exceeded participation rates seen in Europe and Asia.
38:05 — Titus’ 3 Lessons for Building Smart & Just Cities: Why process matters more than flashy technology.
40:58 — The Importance of Political Will: Why progressive local governments are essential to implementation.
43:29 — Learning + Politics: Why urban planning and politics are inseparable.
45:06 — How to Build Meaningful Public Participation
47:56 — How to Convince Governments to Try New Approaches
50:30 — How to Access UCODE
52:06 — What’s Next for the Just Cities Initiative?
54:07 — How to Get Involved
56:04 — Final Reflections on Smart & Just Cities
56:41 — Upcoming Episodes: Akon City & Botswana’s Innovation Ecosystem

Key Concepts

Smart cities
Just cities
Public participation
Community-led planning
Urban informality
3D modeling

Show Notes

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.

Support

Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

Stay in the loop!

If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com or DM on social media!

If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, Zoologist, Zipline Instructor, Zero Waste Coordinator ... and leave a review, or you can buy me a coffee here!

Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop for upcoming episodes and opportunities to engage with guests and the show.

Urban Limitrophe Featured on Elite Africa Project's Database!

September 20, 2024

I am excited to announce that the Urban Limitrophe podcast is now featured on the Elite Africa Project's database! This is a fantastic opportunity to reach a wider audience and share more African-related content, helping to challenge stereotypes and misinformation about the continent.

About the Elite Africa Project

The Elite Africa Project's mission is to challenge academic and public perceptions of African elites as grasping and self-interested—a framing that perpetuates negative depictions of the continent and its peoples and draws on a simplistic understanding of power and how it is wielded.

Check Out the Elite Africa Project's Resources

I encourage everyone to explore the Elite Africa Project's extensive database, which features a wealth of resources, podcasts, and articles focused on African-related content. This platform is a valuable tool for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and diversity of the African continent.

Accessing this information is more important than ever, as it helps counteract the misinformation and stereotypes that often dominate discussions about Africa. By engaging with the content on the Elite Africa Project's database, you can contribute to a more informed and balanced narrative about Africa and its peoples.

Visit the Elite Africa Project

To learn more and access the database, visit: www.eliteafricaproject.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Urban Limitrophe. Together, we can promote a more accurate and positive understanding of Africa and its contributions to urban planning and innovation.