MEDIA RELEASE
SUSTAINABLE CITIES PAST AND PRESENT –
LESSONS FROM PRE-COLONIAL URBAN SETTLEMENTS IN AFRICA
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A collaboration of the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC)
with Midlands State University in Zimbabwe, University of Pretoria in South Africa, and University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
Supported by the Technical University of Berlin in Germany
Global Centre of Spatial Methods for Urban Sustainability (SMUS)
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Teaching On Site Workshop at Great Zimbabwe
Sustainable cities past and present —
Lessons from pre-colonial urban settlements in Africa
How can we improve cities in Africa by looking back as well as forward? And what can we learn from the ancestors about their experiences of sustainable cities that could inform policy today?
An innovative learning experience is unfolding during the first week of October at the Great Zimbabwe monument in southern Zimbabwe, with a cross-border exchange of ideas involving two local universities and two universities from South Africa and Tanzania, with lecturers and students from all three countries.
The workshop titled Teaching On Site is organized by the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) in Harare with support of the Global Centre of Spatial Methods for Urban Sustainability (SMUS) at the Technical University of Berlin in Germany and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
This emerges from an initiative on Teaching-Research Courses 2022/2023 titled “Sustainable Cities past and present – Lessons from pre-colonial urban settlements in Africa”, which is an innovative South-South collaboration of Midlands State University in Zimbabwe; the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania; the University of Pretoria, Department of Historical and Heritage Studies, in South Africa; and SARDC’s History Institute in Zimbabwe which covers the region.
The project seeks to address the emerging interest in exploring indigenous knowledge systems and responses across borders and regions in Africa in the pre-colonial period, and how to draw appropriate comparative theories and practices for the purpose of contributing to current policy discussions in the development communities of southern and eastern Africa with reference to various dimensions of urbanization and how to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
This is intended to strengthen the development of teaching research skills through co-designing the research project and a teaching program to address the research questions; to improve the appreciation of pre-colonial societies and draw relevant lessons; and contribute to current policy discussions.
The concept draws primarily on pre-colonial African systems in large urban areas with well-developed physical and social structures, using the case studies of Great Zimbabwe, Mapungubwe and Kilwa, thus incorporating both inland and coastal spaces.
These were capital cities of extensive functioning states based on agriculture with appropriate crops for the environment and rainfall patterns, extensive livestock development and products, mineral resources and mining (gold, silver, iron, copper, etc), an industrial base for smelting and value addition, and agro-processing, as well as cotton, weaving and fabrics, etc, and trade at local, regional and global levels.
The purpose of the main overall project managed by SARDC is to develop new methods of teaching research and a new course on the subject of learning lessons from pre-colonial African cities, a process that is already well-advanced at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe and the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
The Teaching On Site Workshop at Great Zimbabwe has focus on the topic, How can pre-colonial African Knowledge Systems inform current policy discussions on urbanisation and related challenges in southern and eastern Africa.
This teaching on-site workshop will provide students with a comprehensive learning experience. It will include acquiring new theoretical knowledge and practical skills such as applying for research permits and clearances, exposure to archaeological sites, and interactions with academics and the local community.
This immersive opportunity will enhance the students’ studies, promote interdisciplinary understanding, and encourage responsible research practices. The workshop also benefits participants by strengthening their teaching skills and facilitating knowledge sharing among peers.
The entire workshop will take place on site at Great Zimbabwe, including some walk through lectures and discussions, and other sessions in a workshop format. Professors and lecturers from the collaborating universities will present lectures on teaching methods such as oral history, urban history, case studies and community involvement.
The workshop chair is Dr Terence Mashingaidze, Senior lecturer in the History department and Director of the Harare campus of MSU.
The workshop will be opened on Monday, 2 October in Harare by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, Hon. Prof. Amon Murwira, before the participants travel to Great Zimbabwe.
