The outdoor concept for Comunidade Maria Auxiliadora in Maputo integrates urban farming principles with sustainable infrastructure. The plan includes a new playground built from bamboo and recycled urban waste, promoting the use of eco-friendly materials and local resources. Rainwater harvesting tanks will be installed to collect and utilize water for irrigation and other needs. Additionally, a steel structure will be constructed over the existing basketball field, providing shelter and extending its usability. This comprehensive approach combines environmental stewardship with practical solutions, fostering a resilient and self-sufficient community space.
The outdoor concept for Comunidade Maria Auxiliadora in Maputo integrates urban farming principles with sustainable infrastructure. The plan includes a new playground built from bamboo and recycled urban waste, promoting the use of eco-friendly materials and local resources. Rainwater harvesting tanks will be installed to collect and utilize water for irrigation and other needs. Additionally, a steel structure will be constructed over the existing basketball field, providing shelter and extending its usability. This comprehensive approach combines environmental stewardship with practical solutions, fostering a resilient and self-sufficient community space.
The project is situated in Barrio Unidade 7, Maputo, where informal settlement challenges are prevalent. Amid poor sanitary conditions, the limited open spaces in this densely populated area offer few opportunities for children to gather and play, yet they spend much of their time on the streets. Children's diets often lack essential nutrients, as fruits and vegetables are scarce, available only seasonally, and priced beyond the reach of the average family income.
The project is situated in Barrio Unidade 7, Maputo, where informal settlement challenges are prevalent. Amid poor sanitary conditions, the limited open spaces in this densely populated area offer few opportunities for children to gather and play, yet they spend much of their time on the streets. Children's diets often lack essential nutrients, as fruits and vegetables are scarce, available only seasonally, and priced beyond the reach of the average family income.
Comunidade Maria Auxiliadora offers a valuable space for children to play and learn outside school hours. However, its open areas could address the key challenges of bairro life in multiple ways. By focusing on nutrition, the center could demonstrate to children and parents how to grow food in limited spaces, testing intensive cultivation methods.
Comunidade Maria Auxiliadora offers a valuable space for children to play and learn outside school hours. However, its open areas could address the key challenges of bairro life in multiple ways. By focusing on nutrition, the center could demonstrate to children and parents how to grow food in limited spaces, testing intensive cultivation methods.
The existing playground is made of custom wood and screws, which are expensive and relatively rare materials in the slums of Maputo. As a result, maintenance has been challenging, and the playground is damaged and inaccessible. Additionally, a steel roof is necessary over the basketball field, as the field is currently underutilized due to harsh climatic conditions.
The existing playground is made of custom wood and screws, which are expensive and relatively rare materials in the slums of Maputo. As a result, maintenance has been challenging, and the playground is damaged and inaccessible. Additionally, a steel roof is necessary over the basketball field, as the field is currently underutilized due to harsh climatic conditions.
In Mozambique, there are many initiatives aimed at improving productivity and variety in horticulture. IDE Mozambique, for instance, has implemented innovative techniques in rural areas, achieving results that are unprecedented at the national level.
In Mozambique, there are many initiatives aimed at improving productivity and variety in horticulture. IDE Mozambique, for instance, has implemented innovative techniques in rural areas, achieving results that are unprecedented at the national level.
In urban areas, there are a few examples of successful vegetable gardens, but it is generally not a common practice due to a lack of space and basic knowledge. One such example is the garden at the HIV Center ISMMA in Maputo.
In urban areas, there are a few examples of successful vegetable gardens, but it is generally not a common practice due to a lack of space and basic knowledge. One such example is the garden at the HIV Center ISMMA in Maputo.
The concept proposes introducing the Bokashi system as part of the educational program to produce fertilizer in urban areas. This system uses effective microorganisms (EM) to anaerobically ferment organic waste in an airtight container. Kitchen scraps are layered with EM-rich bran, producing odor-free, nutrient-dense fertilizer. After two weeks, the fermented waste is buried in soil, where it decomposes rapidly, enriching the soil with valuable nutrients.
Endemic plants, used in traditional medicine in Mozambique, will be used to create an organic pest control solution. This must be sprayed on leaves every two weeks to naturally repel pests, blending traditional knowledge with sustainable farming practices.
The concept proposes introducing the Bokashi system as part of the educational program to produce fertilizer in urban areas. This system uses effective microorganisms (EM) to anaerobically ferment organic waste in an airtight container. Kitchen scraps are layered with EM-rich bran, producing odor-free, nutrient-dense fertilizer. After two weeks, the fermented waste is buried in soil, where it decomposes rapidly, enriching the soil with valuable nutrients.
Endemic plants, used in traditional medicine in Mozambique, will be used to create an organic pest control solution. This must be sprayed on leaves every two weeks to naturally repel pests, blending traditional knowledge with sustainable farming practices.
The concept proposes introducing the Bokashi system as part of the educational program to produce fertilizer in urban areas. This system uses effective microorganisms (EM) to anaerobically ferment organic waste in an airtight container. Kitchen scraps are layered with EM-rich bran, producing odor-free, nutrient-dense fertilizer. After two weeks, the fermented waste is buried in soil, where it decomposes rapidly, enriching the soil with valuable nutrients.
Endemic plants, used in traditional medicine in Mozambique, will be used to create an organic pest control solution. This must be sprayed on leaves every two weeks to naturally repel pests, blending traditional knowledge with sustainable farming practices.
Lettuce, which yields in just 30 days, offers a short-term reward. Kale can be harvested multiple times without removing the plants. Tomatoes, cabbages, beetroots, and onions require a longer production time but are more valuable in the market. Additionally, papaya and banana trees can be grown, thanks to the introduction of rainwater harvesting tanks made from plastic bottles.
Lettuce, which yields in just 30 days, offers a short-term reward. Kale can be harvested multiple times without removing the plants. Tomatoes, cabbages, beetroots, and onions require a longer production time but are more valuable in the market. Additionally, papaya and banana trees can be grown, thanks to the introduction of rainwater harvesting tanks made from plastic bottles.
Traditional and accessible materials, like ropes made from recycled car tires and bamboo, are used to ensure easier maintenance and greater community use. A new steel shading structure over the basketball court provides protection from the elements.
Traditional and accessible materials, like ropes made from recycled car tires and bamboo, are used to ensure easier maintenance and greater community use. A new steel shading structure over the basketball court provides protection from the elements.
