The historical center of Mogadishu known as Hamarweyne.
Source: Omar DesignsDesign
Architect Searches for Lost Identity in a City Ravaged by War
Omar Degan wants to transform the way the Somali capital of Mogadishu rebuilds by tapping into the country’s cultural heritage.
Omar Degan got used to being ridiculed when he sat down with developers. The architect wanted buildings to incorporate green spaces, use less glass but have bigger windows to allow in more air. They wanted to maximize profit.
Such a clash of visions between designer and constructor could, of course, happen anywhere. But the gulf between them was particularly wide in a place where people have been more focused on survival than sustainability.