Urban Limitrophe

Meet the Urban Limitrophe Team

April 23, 2022

If you've been listening to recent episodes of Urban Limitrophe then you've probably noticed a few recurring names in the credits of the podcast. If you're wondering who they are, wait no more! It's time to put some faces to the names you've been hearing and introduce the Urban Limitrophe team: Hannah and Imany!

Hannah Ahamedi, Editor (and Co-Host)*

My name is Hannah Ahamedi and I am a researcher at the Reach Alliance focusing specifically on information dissemination in South Sudan. My research interests include the Swahili Coast, oral histories, feminist grassroots peacebuilding, global innovation, and conflict resolution. I am looking forward to graduating from Victoria College at the University of Toronto this spring with a B.A (hons) in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies, Diaspora/Transnational Studies, and History. In my spare time you can usually find me reading sci-fi/fantasy novels, going to the gym, and taking part in numerous volunteer activities that I find incredibly fulfilling.

What is an African city that you would most like to visit?

A difficult question since I have a very very long list BUT Luxor in Egypt definitely takes the number one spot.

What’s your favourite song sung by an African artist?

Malaika by Miriam Makeba. My father used to sing it to me when I was a child and it brings back good memories.

What’s a book that you think people should know about?

Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl! I have probably read it about 5 times. It always provides clarity to me in the moments I need it most.

The future of Africa is ___?

Limitless

Tell us a fun fact about you!

I am of Kenyan/Yemeni/Canadian descent!

Get in Touch with Hannah on:

Instagram: @thefunkystoic
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-ahamedi/

Imany Lambropoulos, Music Producer

My name is Imany Lambropoulos, and I am a high school student. I am interested in neuroscience, and I am interested in potentially becoming a neuropsychologist or a clinical psychologist. In the future, I would like to attend either Queen’s University or the University of Toronto to further my studies, and I intend on obtaining my Ph.D. degree. In my spare time, I enjoy reading all sorts of books. My favourite genres include fantasy, sci-fi, and the occasional mystery novels. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, finding new restaurants to visit, or watching movies and tv shows together.

What is an African city that you would most like to visit?

There are a lot of African cities that I think would be interesting to visit but, if I had to pick one it would be Cairo.

What’s your favourite song sung by an African artist?

My favourite song sung by an African artist is Tumbum by Yemi Alade

What’s a book that you think people should know about?

Beasts of Little Land by Juhea Kim

The future of Africa is ___?

Its people.

Tell us a fun fact about you!

I can play the saxophone.

* Hannah will be a co-host on an upcoming episode of the podcast where we speak with Milly Kakungulu from Justice Defenders. To learn more about Hannah and Justice Defenders' amazing work make sure to subscribe, follow on social media, and stay tuned for new episodes coming your way.

Episode 13: How Lima’s Sonic Landscapes Are Shaped by Afro-Peruvian Women

April 03, 2022

In this episode, I chat again with Roxana Escobar Ñañez. Roxana is pursuing her Ph.D. in Human Geography at the University of Toronto and she was recently one of five special guests on the 12th episode of the podcast. Given her unique research interests, after our last conversation, I decided to invite her to the show again to dive deeper into her work examining 'the places Afro-Peruvian women hold in Lima’s sonic landscapes' and Black womanhood in Latin America and to get a better understanding about how these themes of music, Blackness, and cities emerge in the diaspora. What started off as a discussion of her research turned into a vivid exploration of Lima's history through the lens of Afro-Peruvian music, food, culture, and most importantly Black joy and resilience.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

the project of mestizaje and the origins of criollo music and culture in Peru,
what are sonic landscapes and how Afro-Peruvian women, in particular, are essential to shaping Lima's vibrant soundscape and unique cultural identity,
the key characteristics of Afro-Peruvian music,
additional resources and artists to help you learn more about Afro-Peruvian culture and its impact in Peru,
the importance of highlighting Black joy when researching Black histories and geographies,
and much more!

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS | Apple Podcasts

This episode is sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities. The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about their work visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca.

Episode 12: An Exploration of Black Excellence in Future Geographers and Planners at the University of Toronto (Feat. GGAPSS)

February 27, 2022

This special episode of Urban Limitrophe is brought to you in collaboration with the Graduate Geography & Planning Student Society (GGAPSS) in celebration of Black History/Black Futures Month! In this episode, I speak with Roxana Escobar Ñañez (PhD Human Geography), Brianna Lane (MSc Physical Geography), Priscilla Ankomah-Hackman (MSc Planning), Jane O'Brien Davis (MSc Planning), and Bola Oshinusi (PhD Planning) to explore why they got interested in geography and planning, and their advice for other aspiring geographers and planners looking to study in this field.

In this episode, you'll learn about each guests':

research interests and upcoming projects,
reasons for studying at the University of Toronto,
hopes for having more diversity in their respective field,
advice for other emerging geographers and planners,
and much more!

Episode 11: How the Black Planning Project is Diversifying Urban Planning One Story at a Time

February 20, 2022

In this episode, I speak with Abigail Moriah, a registered urban planner and founder of the Black Planning Project. Through this initiative, Abigail and her team, collect and share the stories of Black urban planning professionals and students to highlight their important work and encourage more diverse voices to enter the profession. Most importantly, through its various mentorship opportunities and research endeavours, the Black Planning Project builds the relationships and the community ties necessary to make sure that urban planning and hopefully the city building sector overall makes room for new perspectives and ideas.

In this episode, you'll learn:

why it is essential to encourage spaces where urban planners can discuss racial injustices in planning,
about some of the experiences and injustices that Black planners face in their profession,
about resources and advice for emerging urban planners of colour to help them navigate the field,
the importance of including diverse voices in the urban planning profession,
and much more!

Episode 10: How BuildX Studio is Creating Dignified Circular Affordable Housing Across Kenya

February 13, 2022

In this episode, I speak with Carolina Larrazábal, the co-founder and design director at BuildX Studio. BuildX Studio is an innovative award-winning architectural studio based in Nairobi, which is the first architecture, engineering or construction company in Africa to become B Corp™ certified. The team at BuildX Studio is on a mission to build radically better buildings. In our conversation, Carolina explains how her team is building dignified circular affordable housing in Kenya and how through their partnerships (i.e. with their sister branch BuildHer) and design process, their work embeds equity, diversity and sustainability in every stage of the development process.