Figure 1_Human infrastructure transforms the city
Mobile Loitering: public infrastructure for a highly gendered urban context
By Mariam Kamara and Elizabeth Golden
Niger’s capital Niamey, like other cities in sub-Saharan Africa, is growing rapidly, and the implementation of the government’s current vision for the city–Niamey Nyala, or the ‘Niamey Beautiful’ plan–provides the impetus for this project. By navigating the line between formal and informal, permanent and fixed, the city is calibrated to increase the participation of women and girls in urban public life.
City Streets in Africa
Currently, unprecedented growth is transforming many urban areas in Africa. Strict colonial planning has given way to a more complex network of human infrastructure that has reshaped city streets to meet economic needs and satisfy social desires.1 Streets have become a mega-public space, and a source of infinite loopholes, to be exploited by a city’s inhabitants in imaginative ways. (Fig. 1)
But streets in many African cities cannot always be defined as ‘public’ in the traditional Western sense, as their occupation is often segregated along class, gender, or age lines. In the context of a Muslim city, situated in a predominantly Muslim (albeit secular) country, a woman’s presence outside of the home–for purposes other than running errands, conducting business, or going to school–is easily questioned by society. 'Mobile loitering', is one tactic developed by women and girls in Niamey to circumvent this type of public scrutiny. Women are able to inhabit the street by using their journey to and from social calls as a pretext, while enjoying relative privacy by simply remaining on the move. These flâneries féminines are a valued source of entertainment and knowledge in a city where little space is allocated to leisure or educational activities. (Fig. 2)
Designing Pretexts for Mobile Loitering
This proposal–a planned route through the city–formalizes mobile loitering as a camouflage and pretext, offering women and girls destinations/justifications for occupying city streets. A lightweight infrastructure marks the path, establishing a framework for ‘takeover’ actions, similar to those observed in the informal city. (Fig. 3)
Stations for fitness, group study, health education, and shopping, punctuate the four-mile route, connecting major public spaces currently used by Niamey’s youth. (Fig. 4) The route’s hallmark–a shading system made of local woven mats–hovers over exposed city streets. (Fig. 5) The activity stations generate varying levels of gender specificity depending on the amount of people at any given location. Amenities such as markets or fairs, for example, bring an influx of women to deserted parts of the city typically considered dangerous for females. (Fig. 6) In densely populated areas with higher levels of foot traffic, structured community led programs offer health education and mentoring solely for women and girls. (Fig. 7) Mixed gendered activities such as study carrels and fitness stations are situated along the route at regular intervals. (Fig. 8)
The proposed route establishes a gently subversive framework that introduces new possibilities for the women and girls of Niamey. Legitimizing and increasing the female presence in public will gradually change social prejudices over time.
Notes:
1 AbdouMaliq Simone, For the City Yet to Come: Changing African Life in Four Cities, Duke University Press, Durham and London (2004)
Figure 2_Women on the street in Niamey
Figure 3_Informal takeover of street space
Figure 4_Map of proposed route
Figure 5_Typical street along the route
Figure 6_The Women’s Market
Figure 7_Outreach kiosk for young girls
Figure 8_Outdoor study carrels
299 Comments – Login to comment
jackman10 · Jan 20, 22 7:49 am
Mooi Residences by WENUL HL PTE LTD . Freehold Luxury Condo. Hotline 61009266. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan, Price List & More. Mooi Residences Showroomjackman10 · Jan 20, 22 7:49 am
Hyll on Holland by FEC. Hotline 61009266. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan, Price List and More. Former Hollandia & Estoril Singapore Hyll on Holland Singaporejackman10 · Jan 20, 22 9:36 am
The Atelier @ Makeway Ave by Bukit Sembawang Hotline 61009266. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan, Price List & More. Former Makeway View The Atelier Floor PlanВиталийruruРоманов · Feb 1, 22 7:07 am
????????? - ???????????? ??????????, ??????????? ? ?????? https://www.putevkaru.ru/
ВиталийruruРоманов · Feb 1, 22 7:08 am
PutevkaRU - booking of sanatoriums, boarding houses and hotels https://www.putevkaru.ru/
hustingee · Feb 17, 22 11:55 am
Me and my team from<a href=”https://www.lawnservicessg.com”>Grass Cutting Singapore</a> would love to go to Africa one day to witness all these amazing places!
hustingee · Feb 17, 22 11:57 am
hustingee · Feb 17, 22 11:58 am
www.lawnservicessg.comjackman10 · Mar 29, 22 8:35 am
Hyll on Holland by FEC. Hotline 61009266. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan, Price List and More. Former Hollandia & Estoril Singapore Hyll on Hollandjackman10 · Mar 29, 22 8:35 am
Normanton Park by Kingsford Huray. Hotline 61009266. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan, Price List & More. Former Normanton Park HUDC. Normanton Park Condojackman10 · Mar 29, 22 8:35 am
Irwell Hill Residences by CDL. Hotline 61009266. Get Discount, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan And Price List. Luxury Condo at Irwell Bank Singapore Irwell Hill Residences Floor Planjackman10 · Mar 29, 22 8:35 am
The Commodore At Canberra by JBE. Hotline 61006226. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan & Price List. The Commodore Floor Planjackman10 · Mar 29, 22 8:35 am
AMBER SEA by Far East. Call 61006226. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan, Price List. Former Amber Glades Amber Sea Condojackman10 · Mar 29, 22 8:36 am
Belgravia Ace by Tong Eng Group. Call 69004123. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan, Price List & More. Belgravia Acejackman10 · Mar 29, 22 8:36 am
Kovan Jewel by Soon Lian Realty. Hotline 61009266. Get Discounts, Direct Developer Price, Brochure, Floor Plan, Price List & More. Kovan Jewel Pricexyz1 · Mar 31, 22 2:55 am
This is very interesting, but it is necessary to click on this link: sell">https://metromilwaukeehomebuyer.com/">sell my house fast Milwaukeexyz1 · Mar 31, 22 2:56 am
https://metromilwaukeehomebuyer.com/ This is very interesting, but it is necessary to click on this link:xyz1 · Mar 31, 22 3:42 pm
I use only high quality materials - you can see them at: We">https://www.sellhousefastmke.com/">We Buy Houses Milwaukeexyz1 · Apr 1, 22 12:35 am
Such sites are important because they provide a large dose of useful information ... Local">https://citationscheck.com/">Local Citation Buildingxyz1 · Apr 1, 22 5:39 pm
For many people this is important, so check out my profile: Aircon">https://ezaircon.sg/">Aircon Servicingxyz1 · Apr 1, 22 6:28 pm
This is very interesting, but it is necessary to click on this link: <a href="https://www.nvnvbeauty.com/">Nouvelle Nouveau</a>jeeyajee · Apr 2, 22 2:38 am
Therefore, if you are very new Call Girl Services Lahore in the city and know nothing about it, you can enjoy our Lahore escort service in your preferred location and destination. We collect feedback after Sexy Girl in Lahore the completion of each session in order to make our service more customer-centric.jeeyajee · Apr 2, 22 2:39 am
Our beautiful call girl services Karachi are comfortable with any sensual and sexual encounter. Casting their magic erotic spell, they will take you to a utopian world of amorous pleasure where you will find Karachi Escort Services everything amazing and sensational.levidevil · Apr 2, 22 8:12 am
levidevil · Apr 2, 22 8:13 am
levidevil · Apr 2, 22 8:14 am
jeeyajee · Apr 4, 22 6:13 am
All physical need total here, even Lahore Escorts Service you come here for get-away reason then our organization makes a guide or join forces with you till your ideal time, as a result of superb office the Charming Girls in Lahore model make long haul relationship with customer.jeeyajee · Apr 4, 22 6:13 am
Autonomous Escort realizes Karachi Escorts Service how to carry on with a great existence with flawlessness. Surely, you can encounter the genuine Charming Girls in Karachi love and dream with the escort girls.
judya.walters · Apr 11, 22 4:19 am
judya.walters · Apr 11, 22 4:20 am
judya.walters · Apr 11, 22 4:20 am
jeeyajee · Apr 16, 22 6:52 am
I offer a different call-girls-in-thokar-niaz-baig types of flavors to capable your all excitement. If you need me for the soul, I am sleek, heating and sensitive female Escorts in Lahore. If you need me for the energy call-girls-in-regency-in-hotel-lahore I am welcoming, expectant and lively.jeeyajee · Apr 16, 22 6:52 am
They will make sex-in-karachi the table entertaining with their flirtatious attitude and sexy figure. Therefore, do not waste time and get your sexy abbe right with you to easily the call-girls-in-gulistan-e-johar-karachi true colors of love.jeeyajee · Apr 19, 22 6:16 am
I am offering all Karachi female escorts services. call-girls-in-iqbal-town No need to think more guys if you are in Karachi also because I am able to meet you in Bollywood City. All my services offered are amazing and cooperative just give call-girls-in-pc-hotel me a chance to show you the taste of my escort services.jeeyajee · Apr 19, 22 6:17 am
Well other is wild, luxury-call-girls-in-karachi when I get nectar I transform into an overpowering feeling that can eat you, squeeze you and ride you over and over until I got tremendous various climaxes. call-girls-in-behria-town-karachi So be cautious when you are setting a meeting with me when I perform similar to a escorts in karachi.jackman10 · Apr 19, 22 9:33 am
I discovered your blog post site on the internet and check many of your early posts. Keep the good operate. I merely additional your Rss to my MSN News Reader. Looking for forward to reading more on your part down the road!… baywind residencesjackman10 · Apr 19, 22 9:33 am
Well, this Thursday I read through a couple of your posts. I must say this is one of your better ones. Thanks a lot for currently being there for folks like me. sceneca residencejackman10 · Apr 19, 22 9:33 am
As a web site owner I believe the material here is reallymagnificent. I appreciate it for your time. You should keep it up forever! Excellent Luck. kovan jeweljackman10 · Apr 19, 22 9:33 am
grat article but maybe please update this post with more detail, i really think this would help a lot of people. zyanyajackman10 · Apr 19, 22 9:33 am
grat article but maybe please update this post with more detail, i really think this would help a lot of people. zyanyanomankhan · May 11, 22 7:19 am
great source of information about infrastructure and war about korea.https://www.shoplectic.com/product/augusta-national-golf-club-masters-tournament-jacket/
jackman10 · May 24, 22 9:11 am
In the awesome scheme of things you get an A+ for effort and hard work. Exactly where you misplaced me ended up being in all the details. As people say, details make or break the argument.. And that couldn’t be much more correct right here. Having said that, permit me say to you precisely what did do the job. Your writing is certainly very persuasive which is possibly the reason why I am taking the effort in order to comment. I do not make it a regular habit of doing that. Secondly, even though I can easily see a leaps in reason you come up with, I am not necessarily certain of exactly how you appear to connect the ideas that produce the actual final result. For now I shall yield to your issue but trust in the near future you actually connect your dots better. service desk softwareamazingvideos · May 30, 22 6:06 am
this blog is very informative thanks to share with us i have a online business rleather jackets vist herehttps://rleatherjackets.com/product/new-york-yankees-purple-varsity-jacket/yjackman10 · Jun 11, 22 12:17 pm
I think this is among the most significant information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers avenirjackman10 · Jun 11, 22 12:18 pm
My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog. He used to be totally right. This put up actually made my day. You cann’t consider simply how so much time I had spent for this information! Thanks! hyll on hollandjackman10 · Jun 11, 22 12:19 pm
Pourquoi ne pas rapporter les valeurs annoncées les journées passées par l’état national? Au moins on aurait la possibilité de chicaner selon les vrais chiffres. midtown modernjackman10 · Jun 11, 22 12:19 pm
Depending on how well one knows the score, it can be said this rendition is not highly accurate and in some cases is downright sloppy. At the least, completely affected playing. fourth avenue residencesjackman10 · Jun 11, 22 12:19 pm
We are laughing at our heroes but secretly we are definitely rooting for them too. one bernamjackman10 · Jun 11, 22 12:19 pm
I discovered your site site on google and check a number of your early posts. Preserve on the top notch operate. I just extra increase RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for toward reading more from you later on!… park novajackman10 · Jun 11, 22 12:19 pm
Wow! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Excellent. I’m also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work. piccadilly grand