Project Overview

Tamale’s Inner-Urban Ecologies (TIUE) is a collaborative research initiative investigating the inner urban ecologies of Tamale, Northern Ghana, one of West Africa's fastest-growing cities. This project is a joint effort by the University of Applied Arts Vienna’s Institute of Architecture (I oA), the University for Development Studies (UDS), and the Nuku Centre for Photographic Research and Practice. The project is funded by the Austrian-African Research Network Africa-UniNet for the period 2023-2025, whereby this lab covers the second research year from October 2024 onward.

Research Focus

The TIUE project will explore three specific urban open spaces within Tamale. These sites, notable for their distinct spatial and environmental characteristics, socio-cultural significance, and rich histories, will serve as case studies. The research will examine the status and potential for multi-species cohabitation in these spaces and their radiance into the broader urban fabric. The aim is to understand the unique urban ecologies of Tamale´s inner-urban open spaces and develop strategies to read and enhance the understanding of living conditions and ecologies in the city.

Thematic Framework

Reflecting on the complexities of urban development and ecologies, the project draws inspiration from AbduMaliq Simone and Edgar Pieterse’s (2018) perspectives on urban experimentation. Addressing the intersections of climate change, resource consumption, and urban expansion requires innovative and city-specific contextual  approaches to transform everyday urban life.

Methodology

Each student or team member will develop a methodological, thematic, and artistic research concept based on introductory discussions, and their individual interests. These concepts will be refined and implemented during a three-week lab intensive in Tamale in February 2025. The applied research will culminate in a comprehensive collection of "fragments of knowledge," presented as a "set of cards." This collection will be shared with the public later in 2025, showcasing the diverse findings and insights from the project.

Participating Institutions

• University of Applied Arts Vienna’s Institute of Architecture (I oA)
• University for Development Studies (UDS)
• Nuku Centre for Photographic Research and Practice

Project Duration

2023-2025 / [A]FA lab from October 2024 covering the second project year

Outcome

The research will result in a substantial and diverse collection of insights, presented in an accessible format to engage a wide audience (see also Methodology).

Teaching

Baerbel Mueller (head), with Daniil Zhiltsov and Abdul-Rauf Issahaque