Course Description

Offered in partnership with East African Institute, Aga Khan University, and Bits & Bytes Tanzania, Cities for People Urban Challenge Hackathon is designed to facilitate the development and application of technological and infrastructure urban interventions, specific to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This hybrid-online course takes the form of a two day ‘hackathon’ where participants are asked to develop solutions around transportation, informal settlements and waste management in Dar es Salaam. Students will be organized into interdisciplinary teams and provided with virtual and in-person training sessions. The groups are connected with mentors over the 2-day challenge. Specifically, participants are expected to:

• Recognize the importance of Tanzanian Planning Frameworks;
• Introduce concepts of sustainable development (SDGs) and Habitat III;
• Work in Teams to define an urban challenge and design a response; and
• Reflect further on their role in planning and response to urban challenges.

At the end of the two days, each team will pitch their solutions to the urban challenge in front of a panel of individuals and potential investors who help students implement their concepts.

Course Impact