Charlotte Delobbe
Flowscapes
Living with drought prone landscapes: Spatial design interventions for a rain and dry seasons mitigation system in Ryabega, Eastern Rwanda
By adapting an Indian arid water system - The Khadin - and implementing nature-based solutions, bioclimatic architecture and resilient landscape strategies, the project seeks to develop a rain and dry seasons mitigation system that connects communities back to their landscape and unique topography. Through water and humidity conservation, soil moisture and drinking water access, the design aspires to be locally sourced and built to ameliorate the town’s water and economic autonomy as well as its vulnerability to global warming.
The design itself addresses informal spaces within the town commercial centre to create formal qualitative public spaces to welcome the people and current activities. Added public features and vegetation create shaded areas to mitigate the high temperatures during the day.
Furthermore, beyond its immediate scope, this graduation thesis serves as a catalyst for exploring new design possibilities applicable to the adjacent towns and landscapes.