Urban Limitrophe is a podcast exploring the various initiatives happening in cities across the African continent (and diaspora) to creatively solve problems, support their communities, create vibrant urban spaces, and build better cities overall.
Ideas from the continent are often overlooked. This podcast seeks to bring to light the intersecting ideas and practices from urban planning, architecture, economics, arts and culture, geography, and politics that define our urban living, and uncover how to build resilient communities, economies, and ecologies.
Tune in to catch interviews with urban planners, designers, researchers, community-builders, creatives and more, doing great work to change the future of their cities and find out how you support them to make a difference in their communities and get inspired to take action in yours.
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Urban Limitrophe is a podcast exploring the various initiatives happening in cities across the African continent (and diaspora) to creatively solve problems, support their communities, create vibrant urban spaces, and build better cities overall.
Ideas from the continent are often overlooked. This podcast seeks to bring to light the intersecting ideas and practices from urban planning, architecture, economics, arts and culture, geography, and politics that define our urban living, and uncover how to build resilient communities, economies, and ecologies.
Tune in to catch interviews with urban planners, designers, researchers, community-builders, creatives and more, doing great work to change the future of their cities and find out how you support them to make a difference in their communities and get inspired to take action in yours.
How DO Architecture Co-Designs for Dignity After Disaster | Omar Degan
Urban Limitrophe
47 minutes
4 months ago
How DO Architecture Co-Designs for Dignity After Disaster | Omar Degan
What does it mean to rebuild with dignity after disaster strikes?
In this episode of Urban Limitrophe, we speak with architect Omar Degan, founder of DO Architecture and the Fragility Lab. Together, they explore how architecture can be a tool for healing, not just shelter — and how co-designing with communities leads to more just, resilient spaces in the aftermath of crisis.
Omar shares his journey designing in fragile contexts — from post-conflict housing in Somalia to consulting for the UN — and how his work challenges traditional top-down models of humanitarian aid. Instead of quick fixes, his approach centers culture, collaboration, and care.
You’ll learn how DO Architecture uses emergency design to center communities in fragile contexts, and why beauty, dignity, and belonging should never be seen as luxuries — even in disaster recovery.
Whether you're a planner, designer, changemaker, or curious listener, this conversation invites you to rethink how we rebuild, who we build for, and what’s possible when communities lead the way.
Guest: Omar Degan
Acknowledgements:
This episode is co-supported by the Nurubian, the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.
About Urban Limitrophe:
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Credits:
Music by Imany Lambropoulos
Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos
Urban Limitrophe
Urban Limitrophe is a podcast exploring the various initiatives happening in cities across the African continent (and diaspora) to creatively solve problems, support their communities, create vibrant urban spaces, and build better cities overall.
Ideas from the continent are often overlooked. This podcast seeks to bring to light the intersecting ideas and practices from urban planning, architecture, economics, arts and culture, geography, and politics that define our urban living, and uncover how to build resilient communities, economies, and ecologies.
Tune in to catch interviews with urban planners, designers, researchers, community-builders, creatives and more, doing great work to change the future of their cities and find out how you support them to make a difference in their communities and get inspired to take action in yours.
