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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
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2017
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considering the developmental challenges
and issues that we as Africans face,” says
Jamie, “which is why the case studies we’ve
undertaken are so essential to mapping the
way forward.”
At Aurecon, this mapping implies
embracing the unknown and exploring
every possibility. It’s a process involving
innovation, co-design, applying design
thinking to key case studies, engaging
in crucial partnerships with a range of
stakeholders, as well as getting involved in
events instrumental to shaping an African
developmental narrative.
“It’s an incontrovertible truth that copy-
paste solutions from the West will not
work in an African context. Using design
methodologies which view our continent
through a uniquely African lens is the only
way we’re going to be able to develop
innovative and sustainable solutions to
future-proof Africa,” says Jamie.
“Which is why we ask ourselves two
critical questions across every aspect of the
projects we design: ’what if?’ and ‘why not?'
“Their importance cannot be overstated
because the responses to these questions
form the bedrock for the future scenarios
we create. Scenarios that anticipate
whatever changes disruptive technology
may bring about and find new ways to
transform our clients’ businesses,” says
Portia Derby, Aurecon’s Senior Regional
Director for Gauteng.
A case in point is ‘Afrikanist in Motion’, a
collaboration which will help inform better
infrastructure design and transport planning.
Aurecon approached this by partnering
with professional photographer, Yasser
Booley; the World Design Organisation and
NEW APPROACH
to engineering in Africa
Global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon is proud
to launch its pioneering approach to engineering in Africa, Afrikan
Design Innovation (ADI), which focuses on fusing traditional technical
skills with design thinking to find innovative solutions to the complex
problems confronting Africa.
Centred on anticipating disruption,
connecting the dots between various global
events and developing human-centric
solutions, Aurecon believes that ADI has the
potential to revolutionise the way engineers
approach Africa’s problems.
It’s an approach that’s already making
a difference, with several case studies
incorporating design thinking demonstrating
its efficacy in developing targeted, relevant
solutions which are readily championed by
end users.
This impact will echo into the future as
the company develops a sustainable vision
for Africa. “These case studies will provide
the blueprint for a movement that will be
replicated in projects across Africa as we
collaborate with several continental and
global organisations – in addition to a wide
range of stakeholders – to future-proof
Africa,” says Abbas Jamie, Aurecon’s Director
for Innovation and Transformation, Africa.
Design thinking methodology
Instead of having a solution imposed on
them, the end-users’ needs become the
nucleus around which a co-design process
is driven. This entails applying design
thinking to the process. Design thinking is
a methodology that focuses on engaging
with the people who we’re creating for. In
Nairobi for example, in collaboration with
the University of Nairobi, the company has
run design workshops with the youth of
Nairobi to reframe their participation and
activism in ‘claiming back the river’ – which
is fundamental to designing a sustainable
waterway solution.
“Empathy for our end user involves
WhereIsMyTransport to capture uniquely
African transport challenges confronting the
majority of Africans.
In this way, the company’s engineers
get a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of
public transport commuters from which
they glean invaluable insights to inform their
design solutions.
Why Afrikan with a ‘k’?
ADI acknowledges that the continent's
people and entrepreneurial promise are like
none other globally; and it places them at
the centre of the design process in order to
create innovative solutions.
This is why it has intentionally used
‘Afrika’ with a ‘k’ – to express Afrika as seen
from the ‘inside out’, as opposed to Africa as
viewed from the outside in.
It’s not business as usual
Turning tradition on its head, Aurecon fuses
the creative and technical worlds to find a
sweet spot where innovation can flourish.
This culture is encapsulated in Aurecon’s
future-facing ADI approach.
“By aligning our solutions to the broader
developmental agenda for Africa, we’re
helping create livable, vibrant, economically-
thriving African cities. Cities that speak
to the hopes and aspirations of Africa,”
says Derby.
Abbas Jamie, Aurecon’s Director for Innovation
and Transformation, Africa.