MOPTI, MALI

elevated causeway running

through mopti to sevare

NIGER RIVER

mopti

BANI RIVER

Title

OLD TOWN

CITY BOUNDARY

MEDINA COURA

NEW TOWN

argument

statement

ARGUMENT STATEMENT

This presentation will explore how the city of Mopti has developed and what may have been the most influential factors for the growth of the city. We will be looking at this from an environmental perspective, focusing on how climatic stresses that Mopti’s arid ecosystem experiences, characterizes the city’s identity.

THE HERITAGE OF MOPTI

Mopti

Centre of Architecture

Mopti's Port Industrial Building's

Mopti’s heritage consists of building’s that posses architectural qualities and attributes reflecting significant environmental, political and social historical events. For example, an earthen structure built in the traditional Sudanese style between 1936 and 1943 on the site of an earlier mosque dating from 1908, is commonly called the grand mosque of mopti. The first phase of the work on this important landmark focused on repairing the roof and stabilizing the upper part of the building, which had been damaged by the inappropriate use of cement in a previous restoration effort in 1978 (African Architecture 2019). Because cement adds additional loads to the structure and integrates poorly with the traditional materials, earthen buildings clad with cement often suffer water infiltration and structural damage over time - a process which, in this case, had weakened and seriously compromised the stability of the monument. Fissures in the cement cladding applied in 1978 (African Architetcure 2019)have been infiltrated by water, which has led to structural damage and compromised the stability of the building.

Mopti

public school

THE

HERITAGE

OF MOPTI

Grande

Mosque of Mopti

Mopti

Marketplace

residential

dwellings

On 14 October 2004, the monument was formally inscribed as an official landmark in the nation's cultural heritage by the Minister of Culture. Thus, this important monument has continuously been restored to reproduce its lost characteristic, to continually represent the importance of Islam as a country-wide religion. This approach was championed by Eugene Emmanuel Voillet-le-Duc in the XIX century (Mirko 2020). It is important for this restoration process to occur because through the different forms and materiality’s people are reminded of Mopti's religious, political, social and environmental values, attributes and meanings which distinguish the city’s Identity.

Grande Mosque of Mopti

MOBILITY

Mopti's primary road has been strategically placed on the highest ground to ensure its reliability during flooding.

MOBILITY

The diagram reveals that Mopti is a compact, mixed use, walkable, dense, and generally socially integrated town. Evidently the secondary roads within the town, motorcycles, bikes and walking are the primary methods of transport. Thus, the proximity of functions and facilities as seen on the diagram are spread out to enable this to occur in the urban environment. Due to the high density of the town, this is seen as the most efficient paradigm in regards to the mobility system. This can be seen presumably to avoid congestion and allow for available land to be used effectively for building space rather than transport routes.

In regards to inadequacies of land transport and the town as an important town of commercial trade, the Niger river acts as an important transportation link in Mopti and has since settlement. The Niger is navigable throughout its length year-round for small boats and from August to December for larger vessels. The port of Mopti is served by ferries which run when the depth of water in the river is sufficient. They carry both freight and passengers. Both passengers and freight are also transported by pinasses, large wooden canoe shaped vessels, that are privately operated. The other important transportation link is Mopti’s primary road, the 12 km elevated causeway to Sevare which lies on the Route Nationale 16 (RN16).

It can be deduced that the primary road is used mainly for commercial purposes, to come into and out of Mopti and to travel between the three regions within Mopti. However, more so the secondary roads are more frequently used for residents to go about daily life.

GOVERNMENT BUILDING

COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

EDUCATION FACILITIES

PETROL STATIONS

GREEN SPACE

MOSQUES

SPORTING GROUNDS

INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY

PRIMARY ROAD

SECONDARY ROAD

MINOR SECONDARY ROADS

MINOR PATHWAYS

MAJOR PATHWAYS

functional analysis

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL

RESIDENTIAL

HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

GOVERNMENT/EDUCATION

GREEN SPACE/RECREATIONAL

RELIGIOUS

RURAL

FUNCTION

This functional analysis diagram is a useful approach to understand how Mopti’s functions and how its different parts relate to one to each other, and how the overall design of the city supports communities (mirko 2020).

From the diagram you can see that the most dominant function of Mopti is residential, mostly high-density, single story or double story houses. This is to accommodate for the cities rapid growth and facilitates the increase in population expected whilst maintaining to stay out of range of the floodplains. This is a contributing factor to the ontology of the city. Commercial and Industrial buildings are also a predominant function evident on the map. This suggest Mopti has strong values towards representing a strong economy and city of trade. These functions, although slightly scattered amongst Mopti are dominantly located in the New Town surrounding Mopti’s main trade port. Although, from the diagram you can see different functional buildings are an integrated system, due to the proximity. It can then be assumed different groups of people and different social groups share the same space in a highly mixed use and integrated landscape (Mirko 2020). Additionally, streets as well as the function of Mosque’s are seen to be ‘social spaces’. This is also evident due to the lack of squares and centres within Mopti and due to the lack of land as well as planning of the city layout.

Lefebvre, H. et al. (2014) argues in The Production of Space is that “space is a social product, or a complex social construction (based on values, and the social production of meanings) which affects spatial practices and perception. (Social) space is a (social) product ... the space thus produced also serves as a tool of thought and of action ... in addition to being a means of production it is also a means of control, and hence of domination, of power. “ This can be seen to be relevant to Mopti as Mosque’s are an important centre of cultural and social life, for Mopti’s considerable Muslim population. Additionally, it can also be deduced that Mosques represent a sense of Power of the country wide Islam religion, which is also revealed in the size of the building typologies compared to other recurrent buildings in Mopti.

The relationships between these building functions will be further explored in the Building Typologies section.

FLOODING

permanent water

dry floodplains

no irrigation

irrigation

The map reveals seasonal flooding and the respective areas affected in the Mopti region. You can see from the map that the city is built on the margin of the flood region, if not in some cases already on the flood prone region. This is due to the requirement of land because of Mopti’s heavily dense population. The Niger and Bani river is very intimidating on the eastern side. It is surprising that the dependent functional buildings including commercial and industrial are placed so closely to this flood prone region. However, it can be assumed that the proximity to the river during de-flood season is worth the risk and the trade benefits must outweigh the risk of flooding. It can also be seen that the high-density residential building are build on the highest topography furthest away form the river. It is assumed that because the residential density decreases the closer the proximity to the flood plane, is due to their requirement to be located there for agricultural purposes. From this diagram it can also be determined that growth of Mopti in the future may face problems due to the flood prone areas seriously restricting land availability for development.

Mopti lacks active irrigation but employ dikes and sluices to delay flooding, and to manage the water level during deflooding. These polders are typically characterised as ‘controlled flooding’ or ‘passive irrigation’.

NATURAL HAZARDS

BUILDING TYPOLOGIES THAT CHARACTERIZE MOPTI'S URBAN MORPHOLOGY

characteristics of recurrent building typologies

itle

from this diagram we can view the different exterior forms of the different recurrent building typologies of mopti and their connection with the street scape. Similarities that can be seen between the typologies include the incorporation of vernacular earthen architecture understandings. this is evident from the open layouts of buildings allowing for natural ventilation within the buildings. A consistent construction material used for all of the building typologies is earth and clay, specifically, semi-desert chestnut earths and laterites (reddish residuals of rock decay), characteristic to West Africa. The nature of this building material restricts the height of the buildings (except in special cases; Mosques) connecting the low sitting town with its surrounding landscape. in the diagram it can be seen that commercial buildings are surrounded by free space with an open layout that generally faces towards the primary axis of the city. The space surrounding the commercial building generally contains trees to allow for shading for the public. Mosques have a similar connection with the street space to commercial buildings, due to these two typologies being seen as a 'social gathering space'. Residential buildings however appear more confined and closed off to the main pathways, creating a sense of security. this is similar to the industrial building typologies. Residential buildings also appear to have central courtyards with a central tree, to allow for natural ventilation and shading. One of the principle causes of building deterioration in Mopti is the water infiltration into the structures as a result of poor infrastructure including drainage and sewage systems. different urban fabrics can be identified by recurrent typology layouts, which will be examined by looking at the internal distribution of each building typology individually.

COMMERCIAL BUILDING

ONE-STORY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING

TWO-STORY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING

MOSQUE

INDUSTRIAL BUILDING

GREEN SPACE/ RECREATIONAL

SINGLE STORY/ MULTI STORY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING

RESIDENTIAL

DWELLING

Single story or multi story residential dwelling are identified by their compact rectilinear polygon formations and with Wooden doors often decorated allowing for expression of individuality. Additionally many residential dwellings have a courtyard in which a singular tree is planted for shading purposes as well as a flat roof, where the inhabitants can sleep in warm weather. The thick walls are also well suited to the regional climate, their large thermal mass ensuring that indoor temperatures always remain comfortable despite fluctuations in external temperatures.The building is naturally ventilated through openings in the walls, which also enables natural lighting.

MOSQUES

MOSQUES

Mosques are an important centre of cultural and social life, for Mali’s considerable Muslim population. Mosque building typology can be recognised by its Sudano-Sahelian architectural stYle consisting of wooden beams with exposed ends that are used to reinforce the towers. The skilful use of this material, is called banco coupled with palm for floors and roofs has evolved over time into a distinct architectural language that is best described as a unique blend of indigenous forms and Islamic traditions. their monumental and fortress-like exteriors act in a way as a ‘defensive architecture’. The Mosque layout it identified by a courtyard on the Western side, flat roof where prayer takes place and adjacent minaret tower. The work on the exterior focusses on establishing effective falls for the rapid draining of rainwater from the site. mosques can be seen as the most grand building typology in mopti due to their overwhelming size in comparison to all the other building typologies.

COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

COMMERCIAL

BUILDINGS

Commercial buildings in Mopti are all one or two story structures, characterized by their large open layout, and occasionally with the addition of makeshift tin shading on street side. The main roadway facing entrances are also a recurrent characteristic, due to the welcoming nature of the commercial buildings. Commercial buildings are generally seen in small clusters, often with a layout that encourages people to flow through.

INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

INDUSTRIAL

BUILDINGS

Industrial Buildings are constructed to house goods in preparation for transport, either by vehicular transport or by boat. The internal structure of industrial building is a very simple open layout. Most of the industrial buildings on Mopti's port contain some form of steel reinforcement. It could be assumed that due tho their proximity either bordering or in the flood prone area, the use of this material is more reliable rather than mud bricks. The industrial buildings generally are open with only a few external walls for structure. This enables for maximum airflow, however it could be viewed as a security issues. This gives the impression of Mopti as a town does not see theft as a main concern or may have methods around this concern.

Looking into structural form and functionality of Moptis urban fabric, it is clear that streets, public corridors and alleyways are distinct public spaces that link districts and areas within the city. While residential buildings are private dwellings that are connected by small pedestrian alleyways. Religious spaces are an interesting structural type as they are closed public spaces that don't particularly encourage tourist access, focusing more so on traditional religious activities for residents. The Nolli map shows that the main street facade acts as the primary entry and point of advertisement for commercial buildings as well as residential and religious structures. Alley ways and secondary access roads also provide more secluded entries to structures, this could mean access points to certain parts of the dwelling or building are deemed private. Public spaces are linked by pathways and grouped squares, while several amorphous squares occur in situations where new districts and distinct building typologies have been introduced.

Recognizing the relationships between open public, open private and closed private spaces reinforce the importance of social areas, introducing the notion of informal or organic urban areas that engage community interaction. these negative corridor's of open public space elaborate on community character, social and cultural values and urban design particularly through viability of social practice and cultural style. Due to the high density city fabric, the restricted street size of mopti limits vehicle movement, creating communal zones in between buildings and linking node and landmarks. The proximity of spaces enhance community familiarity and create a significant sensory experience that contributes to the perception of the city. Jane Jacobs (1994), a North American activist who has deeply influenced contemporary urban design, promoted the idea of how people is what make a place vibrant and interesting, how people is a central factor in generating a sense of place. She popularised the eye on the street theory; places actively used by people would be safer because people look after other people. Mopti’s streetscape is a representation of this urban design approach in which people are placed at the centre. I believe, because of this Mopti has been effective in achieving a connected strong resilient community, which is portrayed to visitors through the street scape perception.

Title

city street section 1:200

THE PERCEPTION

OF MOPTI

LANDMARK

DISTRICT

NODE

PATH

THE

PERCEPTION

OF MOPTI

Personal experience plays an important role to inform our interaction with the urban environment. The ‘sense of place’ is in fact a complex interplay of different conditions that allow us to charge a space with a meaning. Using Kevin Lynch's (1981) concept of imageability of a city, we an understand how people perceive and navigate an urban environment. From analysing Mopti’s streetscape we can see Lynch’s five distinct elements that form the urban structure.

Paths are heavily evident in Mopti, and are used as a primary mode of transport in which residents customarily move. Paths outline the main roads, however are not as frequently used as the paths that run in and out of the backstreets. It is common to have a path linking residential buildings to a communal courtyard. The paths are only evident from high use, there is no infrastructure put in place to identify the paths. This allows paths to be virtually made by anyone anywhere.

Edges in Mopti are generally defined by the transition between different building typologies including mainly residential, commercial and mosques, by geographic landmarks including the river or by the few main transport routes that run through Mopti.

Districts are identified by the building typologies which were identified in the Morphology of the city analysis. Due to the lack of building typologies in Mopti, these distant forms clearly identify the different districts.

Nodes are found predominantly on the river in the Old town and in the New town as this is where most commercial, inductrial government and education facilities are located. Nodes can also be seen as places of interest including recreation facilities , or mosques.

The main landmark in Mopti can be seen as the Mosques. This is due to their large structural dominance compared to any other building typology in Mopti, enabling them to stand out.

These difeerent elements that form the perception of mopti are shown in the sketches and diagram to the right, representing how Kevin Lynch’s concept of imageability of a city HAS BEEN constructed in Mopti.

LANDMARK

VEGETATION

EDGE

PHYSICAL EDGE

DISTRICT

MINOR PATHWAYS

MAJOR PATHWAY

Mopti Fly-through Experience

https://youtu.be/yqQRdIT8jyw

MOPTI FLY-THROUGH

reference list

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Bleck, J. (2015) Education and Empowered Citizenship in Mali. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Douny, L. (2014) Living in a landscape of scarcity : materiality and cosmology in West Africa . Walnut Creek, California: Left Coast Press, Inc.

Guaralda, Mirko (2020) DAH525 Design of the City: Module: Accessed March 29,2020. https://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/displayLearningUnit?course_id=_149413_1&content_id=_8325954_1

Guaralda, Mirko (2020) DAH525 Morphology of the City: Module: Accessed March 29,2020. https://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/displayLearningUnit?course_id=_149413_1&content_id=_8325901_1

Guaralda, Mirko (2020) DAH525 The Elements of the City: Module: Accessed March 29,2020. https://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/displayLearningUnit?course_id=_149413_1&content_id=_8325972_1

Guaralda, Mirko (2020) DAH525 The Heritage of the City: Module: Accessed March 29,2020. https://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/displayLearningUnit?course_id=_149413_1&content_id=_8326005_1

Guaralda, Mirko (2020) DAH525 The History of the City: Module: Accessed March 29,2020. https://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/displayLearningUnit?course_id=_149413_1&content_id=_8325936_1

Guaralda, Mirko (2020) DAH525 The Ontology of the City: Module: Accessed March 29,2020. https://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/displayLearningUnit?course_id=_149413_1&content_id=_8325919_1

Guaralda, Mirko (2020) DAH525 The Perception of the City: Module: Accessed March 29,2020. https://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/displayLearningUnit?course_id=_149413_1&content_id=_8325988_1

Harts-Broekhuis, A. (1997). How to sustain a living? Urban households and poverty in the Sahelian town of Mopti. Africa (pre-2011), 67(1), 106–129. https://doi.org/10.2307/1161272

Jacobs, J. (1994) The death and life of great American cities . Harmondsworth: Penguin in association with Jonathan Cape.

John Friedmann (2010) Place and Place-Making in Cities: A Global Perspective, Planning Theory & Practice, 11:2, 149-165, DOI: 10.1080/14649351003759573

Lefebvre, H. et al. (2014) Toward an architecture of enjoyment . Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Lynch, K. (1981) A theory of good city form . Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.

World Bank (2015) Geography of Poverty in Mali. World Bank, Washington, DC.

REFERENCE

LIST