Lafoole Urban Walk: Reading the City Through Movement

On December 18, 2025, the Somali Architecture and Planning Association (SAPA) organized the Lafoole Urban Walk, a student-led field initiative that brought together architecture students from universities across Mogadishu. The walk connected the urban fabric of Mogadishu to the historic Lafoole corridor, offering participants a rare opportunity to engage directly with the city beyond the classroom. The event attracted over 100 students and marked one of the first collective urban explorations of its kind in Somalia, reflecting a growing momentum toward experiential architectural learning.

Program Highlights
The Lafoole Urban Walk began with a short briefing session led by SAPA coordinators, introducing the purpose of the walk as an exercise in observation, documentation, and critical urban reading. Students were encouraged to move beyond passive viewing and actively interpret the spatial, social, and environmental conditions of the route.

As participants moved from Mogadishu toward Lafoole, they engaged in real-time mapping, sketching, photography, and informal discussions.
The walk highlighted key transitions—from dense urban zones to peri-urban landscapes—allowing students to reflect on issues such as infrastructure gaps, land use patterns, informal development, and the changing relationship between city and landscape.

Faculty members and practicing architects joined the walk, offering insights and prompting discussions on urban morphology, mobility, and public space. The open format encouraged peer learning, where students exchanged perspectives across academic levels and institutions.

A key moment of the walk was the arrival at the historic Lafoole campus area, where students reflected on its past significance as an educational and agricultural hub, and its current condition within the broader urban expansion of Mogadishu. Conversations centered on memory, neglect, and the potential for reactivation of such spaces.

Closing Remarks

The walk concluded with a collective reflection session, where students shared their observations and key takeaways. SAPA representatives emphasized the importance of learning from the city itself—its streets, edges, and in-between spaces—and encouraged students to continue engaging with Mogadishu through similar initiatives. The session reinforced the idea that architectural education extends beyond studios into lived urban realities.

Conclusion

The Lafoole Urban Walk was a meaningful and impactful initiative that reintroduced the practice of walking as a tool for architectural and urban understanding. It fostered critical thinking, collaboration, and a deeper connection between students and their city. SAPA extends its appreciation to all participating students, faculty members, and collaborators who contributed to the success of this event. The association remains committed to creating platforms that bridge education, practice, and the urban experience in Somalia.

For more updates on future events, please visit our website.