A manifesto for climate responsive design

Although countries in East-Africa seem to have a perfect climate, people are not fully benefiting or making efficient use of its potential. They suffer from insufficient daylight or overheating and live on sites that are not coherently organized nor efficiently utilised. Energy is wasted. Trees are considered an abundant energy provider, especially for cooking purposes or for burning bricks. The Forum on ‘Raising Awareness for Climate Responsive Design in East Africa’ took place in Kampala (Uganda) on 27th and 28th February 2019. It was organized by Enabel, the Belgian development agency, and the Construction Management Unit of the Ministry of Education and Sports. Enabel (until 2018 called ‘BTC’ or Belgian Technical Cooperation) has been active in Uganda since 2005 mainly in the Education and Healthcare sectors. The group of organizers and speakers at the Forum decided to sustain momentum and set up a platform that would bring together a community of professionals from private and public sectors, to work towards a higher positive impact on our environment and communities. This document is the first step in this process. The topics of the Forum cover both hard and soft issues that contribute to improving people’s living conditions and environment. They include participation, using local and durable materials, passive ventilation and natural daylighting, sustainable landscapes, and water and waste-management. Architects and engineers must learn to identify the constraints and opportunities of each project site and help local communities to develop their full potential. We hope this document will achieve the critical mass necessary to instigate lasting behavioural change in the way we are living in our environment.