Cultivation

Invigorating Rwanda's Agro-tourist Industry

Elissa Urbina

César

March 2022

Multi-Use Plaza

Provides a space for the local community to host a creative variety of events

The Site

The site is in the Eastern Province of Rwanda, a landlock country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture plays an immense role on the Rwandan economy as it takes up a massive portion of employment, exports, and GDP. Additionally, Rwanda’s poverty level decreases, due to high levels of tourist activity.

Existing Conditions

Since the site was passed down to current owner Bill Kayonga, there is some pre-existing infrastructure onsite.

Event Center

The central hub for activities will occur at the event center. Since the site is located on a steep slope, the design takes into consideration the regrading that will occur. Similar to the traditional Rwandan farming methods, the plazas terrace down the hill, upheld by gabion retaining walls.

Outdoor Classroom

A space for hands-on education about the natural systems and traditional cultural elements of Rwanda.

Event Center Elements

Details on how slope has been addressed and local materials sourced.

Tourism in a Pandemic

The boardwalk is one of the many spacious outdoor elements that allow a safe level of social distancing while simultaneously promoting the lake as an intriguing aspect of the site.

Native Botanical Garden

The form of the shade and bench structures are pulled from the traditional methods of back slop terrace farming in Rwanda. These placed throughout the various programmatic elements on the site creates unified connection. Along the nature trail, it allows space to educate visitors of Rwanda’s Native species.

Promoting Biodiversity

The Nyugunwe National Park is a biodiverse hot spot in Rwanda. This sample planting detail illustrates a few of the many unique and endemic plants that would be displayed for visitors to discover.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Cultivation is an agro-tourist farm located in the eastern province of Rwanda. While this project embodies the primary definition ‘development of land for growing’, it also encapsulates its other meanings- culture, education, and nurture. The site is on a 112-acre plot of land that has been passed down by his parents to Bill Kayonga, a retired Ambassador of Rwanda. In partnering with NGO design firm – Journeyman International – this project is currently in its early phases of being constructed. Cultivation’s elements address the current opportunities and constraints the existing landscape provides. Cultivation creates a space that allows the natural environment, local community, and inquisitive tourists to integrate and enhance each other’s livelihood. By curating these interactions, visitors will experience the Rwandan culture firsthand while aiding the local economy. From the other point of view, the Rwandan community members will make connections with a variety of cultures throughout the activities taking place. Cultivation will harmonize with the natural environment and community and create an unforgettable experience.

ABOUT ME

Growing up in the mountain town of Auburn, CA, I was deeply immersed in the natural environment. These experiences sparked my passion to create harmony between the natural and built environments. Landscape architecture provides me with an opportunity to do just that and my passion for design has only grown over time. I recognize that not everyone has access to well-designed spaces. Landscape architecture holds considerable potential to address many issues in under-resourced communities. I aspire to be a part of the generation that inspires others to recognize the important of sustainability and design for all.

Cultivation

Invigorating Rwanda's Agro-tourist Industry

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

ABOUT ME

Want to send a review to the designer? If provided, you can copy their email below:

ejurbina@calpoly.edu