Successful kick-off in Kisumu

Mistra Urban Futures’ local platform in Kisumu was officially launched at the end of November. The two-days programme included presentations of research projects as well as a much appreciated football tournament and a road show.

The establishment of a Mistra Urban Futures local office in the city of Kisumu brings knowledge on fair, green and dense urban development to this part of Africa. Two projects that already have started concern the development of ecotourism in the region and Kisumu’s role as a marketplace. A team of Ph.D. students from Bondo and Maseno University Colleges will work with their peers at Chalmers in Sweden, under the local supervision of mr Patrick Hayombe and mr George Wagahe.

The importance of the research centre being located to Kisumu was emphasized by several speakers, including the Swedish Chargé d’Affaires, mr Björn Häggmark, mr Stephen Agong, Director of the local organization, and professor Maria Nyström, Mistra Urban Futures. 170 invited guests were gathered at the Imperial hotel to join the festive and informative launch.

Engaging the public

Residents in Kisumu were invited to a presentation of Mistra Urban Futures and the following yearly football tournament. 16 teams, both male and female, took part in the tournament that was held at the Jomo Kenyatta sports ground.

Björn Häggmark, the Swedish Chargé d’Affaires, starts the football tournament together with Professor Stephen Agong, Director, Kisumu Local Interactive Platform Mistra Urban Futures. The Mayor of Kisumu, Samuel O’Kello was one of the speakers during the day.

Reaching the public by a Road show. During two days a lorry drove around the Kisumu city to tell the public the need for developing Kisumu into a Fair, Green and Dense city.
 

Photo: Helena Hansson and Eva Maria Jernsand.