https://compoundcanvas.com Compound Canvas Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:30:58 +0000 https://compoundcanvas.com en http://compoundcanvas.com/Social-side-climate-finance Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:30:58 +0000 Compound Canvas 455237 WHAT ABOUT THE SOCIAL SIDE OF CLIMATE FINANCE?: ANOTHER COP29 REFLECTION Dec. 2024 During this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), the anticipated discussion on the updated path forward for climate finance resulted in the following commitment for developing* countries under the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance: USD 1.3 trillion annual financing from private and public sources by 2035 USD 300 billion annual financing in the form of grants and low-interest loans by 2035, which is triple the commitment made at COP15 in 2009 [1][2] The UN defines climate financing as “local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change”[3]. A particular responsibility is given to developed* countries to provide these resources, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, seemingly recognizing that the devastating effects of climate change are not equally felt and managed. While these newer, bigger numbers seem like a big step forward, the agreement was not settled without pushback.  “This document is nothing more than an optical illusion. This, in our opinion will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face[…].” - Chandni Raina of India [1] “That the developing (sic) country is saying that he’s taking the lead with $300 billion till 2035 is a joke.” - Nkiruka Maduekwe of Nigeria [1] “The scope of the decision adopted demonstrates the lack of agreement between our developed country partners int he face of the global panorama of climate change and reflects a clear intention to renounce their responsibilities.” - Pedro Luis Pedroso of Cuba [1] A major reason for the discontentment came from the rejected USD 1.3 trillion developing countries demanded, a number reflecting the estimates by the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance [4]. Additionally, when we look at how climate funds were allocated from 2015 to 2022, we see more cause for concern. The 2024 report produced by the OECD first shows that the USD 100 billion annual climate financing commitment was only met in 2022, two years later than the orignal target of 2020 made at COP16 in 2010. The report then provides the following financing breakdown: 60% for mitigation, 27% for adaptation and 13% for crosscutting efforts. Mitigation financing is meant for emission reduction and adaption financing is meant for adaptive measures against the adverse effects of climate change. Within each of these climate themes, the report further specifies which activities or sectors were financed. Energy was the main area of focus, taking 43% of mitigation financing, while general environmental protection, government and civil society, social infrastructure and services, and disaster preparedness (GGSD) took the lead in adaptation (43%) and crosscutting (55%) efforts. Overall, total financing is about equal for activities in the energy (28%) and GGSD (29%) sectors. However, when we examine the forms of financing, we find that 69% of public financing took the form of loans and that the energy sector benefited the most from private financing at 48%.[5]&nbsp; What do these numbers mean on the ground? The OCED report shows that about 19 thousand climate projects were financed in 2022 through public funds. Of the 294 projects under the Green Climate Fund, the operating entity of the UN’s climate financing mechanism, only 30 are under implementation and two are completed [6][1]. Many countries are at risk and in need of serious support to address the impact of climate change, yet we don’t have a clear outline on the project design, approval and implementation process. Organizations like the International Rescue Committee and Concern Worldwide regularly report on countries most at risk of climate disaster, the latter listing the following 10 countries: Chad, Central African Republic, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Liberia and Mali [7]. When looking at a CO2 emissions map, we quickly see that these countries are not the main emitters yet bear the brunt of the effects [8][9]. The vulnerability mostly has to do with the lack of structural (infrastructure and political) resilience when faced with extreme climate events. With this knowledge, why is most of the allotted climate finance dedicated to climate change mitigation? Climate change is a social issue and the GGSD is too broad of an activity area to truly understand how financing is supporting its needs. &nbsp; Are developed countries that are causing climate change only investing in projects that will be give them a return, thus profiting economically, politically and socially from their disregard of their impact on the climate? Mitigation financing is looking like investment in projects (mostly energy and transportation) that will generate a revenue rather than reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s not enough to throw money at a problem without addressing its underlying causes and without accountability. Climate finance should not be used as a deflection to keep major emitters unchecked for another decade. A logical approach would be to tackle the major cause of greenhouse gas emissions, which is the reliance on fossil fuels, which is provide by states that are not interested in having a serious conversation about transitioning away from this source of energy[10]. Developing countries are not the ones that should be mainly prioritizing mitigation; the focus should be on adaptation. A yearly meeting with almost 200 participants who do not evenly yield power may not be an effective approach to create meaningful change. The experience some of us had in our high school group projects will remind us that need, effort and merit are not equitably spread. Finally, it shouldn’t solely be about how much money is provided but how effectively and sustainably it’s mobilized. What does reporting look like? The Enhanced Transparency Framework, which requires Parties to submit their first biennial transparency report by the end of 2024, will be our first chance to see what significant actions have been taken since 2015 [11]. As always, we have to wait and see. * The UN established a range of development classifications in their ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024’ document, starting on p.135 https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/WESP_2024_Web.pdf. The OECD also refers to the Paris Agreement definitions in their analysis ‘Climate Finance Provided and Mobilised by Developed Countries in 2013-2022’ [6]  References [1] Harvey, Fiona; Morton, Adam; Noor, Dharna; Carrington, Damion. Cop29 agrees $1.3tn climate finance deal but campaigners brand it a ‘betrayal'. 23 November 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/23/cop29-agrees-13tn-climate-finance-deal-but-campaigners-brand-it-a-betrayal [2] COP29 UN Climate Conference Agrees to Triple Finance to Developing Countries, Protecting Lives and Livelihoods. 24 November 2024. https://unfccc.int/news/cop29-un-climate-conference-agrees-to-triple-finance-to-developing-countries-protecting-lives-and [3] Introduction to Climate Finance. https://unfccc.int/topics/introduction-to-climate-finance [4] Bhattacharya, Amar; Songwe, Vera; Stern, Nicholas; Soubeyran, Eléonore. Raising ambition and accelerating delivery of climate finance: Third Report of the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance. https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Raising-ambition-and-accelerating-delivery-of-climate-finance_Executive-summary.pdf [5] Climate Finance Provided and Mobilised by Developed Countries in 2013-2022. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2024/05/climate-finance-provided-and-mobilised-by-developed-countries-in-2013-2022_8031029a.html [6] Project Portfolio - Green Climate Fund. https://www.greenclimate.fund/projects &nbsp; [7] The 10 countries most affected by climate change. 24 April 2024. https://www.concern.net/news/countries-most-affected-by-climate-change [8] CO2 emissions - Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions [9] Carbon Emissions - Global Carbon Atlas. https://globalcarbonatlas.org/emissions/carbon-emissions/ [10] Rokke, Nils. COP29: Lessons Learned From The UN Climate Change Conference. 9 December 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nilsrokke/2024/12/09/cop29-lessons-learned-from-the-un-climate-change-conference/ [11] Preparing for the Enhanced Transparency Framework. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/transparency-and-reporting/preparing-for-the-ETF  WHAT ABOUT THE SOCIAL SIDE OF CLIMATE FINANCE?: ANOTHER COP29 REFLECTION Dec. 2024 During this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), the... http://compoundcanvas.com/Making-Space-Recap Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:21:38 +0000 Compound Canvas 452237 MAKING SPACE ACCRA - RECAP March 2024 A couple of weeks ago, on a warm Sunday afternoon, we convened in airy space on the first floor of a two story residence in Accra. The space being, first of its kind in the city, the Flower Therapy Mental Wellness Studio. We being, creatives, community facilitators, researchers, friends — old and new. The heat radiated, the fans buzzed, yet we were at ease. Nestled into one the many options of seating, including the straw mats laid out on the tiled floors, we talked about space. This thing we inhabit, allowing us to set the stage for life’s different moments. Whether it be for or a meal or an opportunity to listen or a path on the way there. In this specific space, the conversation began between an urban planner, an architect and a mental health therapist. How do they relate? Here we uncovered the scale and multi-level aspects of space making. From architectural nuances to cultural influences, this event facilitated a dynamic conversation on the pivotal factors to consider when crafting, sustaining, and transforming spaces.  Thoughts by profession&nbsp; Urban Planners may approach space from a more corporate and political standpoint, which inform the design of overall layout of cities or communities. However, this does not override the planner’s awareness and sensibilities to forward thinking best practices. This push and pull factor enables them to design spaces that promote efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life for residents. It was not lost on us that regulations, political power and capitalism may curb these intentions despite the public call for better spaces. &nbsp; Architects approach space making by focusing on the design and construction of buildings and structures within the built environment. They consider elements such as aesthetics, functionality, cultural context, and sustainability to create spaces that meet the needs and aspirations of their clients while harmonizing with the surrounding landscape. Architects often integrate principles of spatial organization, lighting, materials, and technology to craft environments that inspire and enhance human experience. The subject of affordable housing was a point of focus, responding to the increasingly expensive market favouring expats rather than locals. Mental Health Therapists curate space within the therapeutic context by cultivating environments that foster safety, comfort, and trust for their clients. They pay attention to factors such as lighting, seating arrangements, privacy, and aesthetics to create spaces conducive to healing and self-exploration. Therapists aim to establish a therapeutic alliance by designing spaces that promote relaxation and openness, allowing clients to express themselves freely and engage in the therapeutic process with ease. FlowerTherapy in particular, takes inspiration from nature’s healing powers to support therapeutic interventions. <img width="3244" height="4862" width_o="3244" height_o="4862" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/94da160de9a796dad34107cccbc3fc2c028b679d731bfb22c3af3c83a4753659/DSC05841.JPG" data-mid="1354095" border="0" data-scale="32"/><img width="3473" height="4862" width_o="3473" height_o="4862" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/18dd01082d16a4f1e665e4267ea059762103b60561650974ffd4f822ba99ca4c/DSC05879.jpg" data-mid="1384222" border="0" data-scale="35"/><img width="2610" height="3911" width_o="2610" height_o="3911" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/7560276f2adabcd4ff1de520867cb75fedc938f11eecb725ecb4e87404a1d6ae/DSC05848.JPG" data-mid="1354089" border="0" data-scale="32"/>  Thoughts by contextDuring the vibrant discussion, participants fervently advocated for the creation of additional green public spaces within the city, recognizing the vital role such areas play in fostering community well-being and environmental sustainability. Delving deeper, the discourse highlighted the profound influence of culture on spatial decision-making processes, emphasizing the need for designs that resonate with (and sometimes challenge) local values and traditions. Amidst the enthusiasm for innovative urban planning ideas, concerns about the practical aspects of implementation and ongoing maintenance emerged, underscoring the importance of realistic strategies to ensure the longevity of proposed projects. Moreover, participants emphasized the interconnected nature of urban challenges, emphasizing the necessity of approaching compound problems holistically, with integrated solutions that address various social, economic, and environmental factors. Overall, the discussion illuminated a shared motivations to crafting inclusive, culturally resonant spaces that enhance the quality of life for all residents of Accra. <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/cc3420a66931bdbc4e405fd9685af2a1af34edf4b0ba981e4496e81b89d8732a/DSC05926.JPG" data-mid="1354092" border="0" data-scale="32"/><img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/4cc326abb7466c7a2305658730b3878dbea463517f8f9e08f1dee5fa61602769/DSC05915.JPG" data-mid="1354094" border="0" data-scale="35"/><img width="3469" height="5203" width_o="3469" height_o="5203" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/0145645e6b461e18e158e337761281c6adfcfe756a97d8289f8a11912fd848f7/DSC05890.JPG" data-mid="1354093" border="0" data-scale="32"/> Special thanks to @flowertalkofficial | @designstudiomono @boydlarmie | @ebensway by @delankofi — "Making Space" is an insightful event series dedicated to exploring the intricate process of space creation and design. We discuss the impact of values and politics in planning and design, illuminating how these considerations profoundly shape our lives and wellbeing.&nbsp;"Making Space" presents an opportunity to explore the intersections where creativity, intentionality, and human experience converge, redefining the essence of space-making in our ever-evolving contexts. Every place has its story. Every person carries a piece of it. All of them gathered, a chance to redefine its meaning.   MAKING SPACE ACCRA - RECAP March 2024 A couple of weeks ago, on a warm Sunday afternoon, we convened in airy space on the first floor of a two story... http://compoundcanvas.com/Space-Place-Stories Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:29:28 +0000 Compound Canvas 451646 SPACE, PLACE AND OTHER STORIES: A REFLECTION Oct. 2022 “We don’t get to choose where we’re from so it is what it is”,&nbsp; I responded when someone told me they were just from the Netherlands. This was the answer they gave when I returned the question that those of us with the sun living in our skin often get asked in countries with four seasons: Where are you from? The scales at which that question can be answered are many. Spatially the specificity can range from country — to region — to city — to neighbourhood — to street — to landmark proximity. Adding the layer of politics, the constraints may now look different, the references are no longer relevant at that moment and so new names are used and places fade. But memory and sharing stories may keep these worlds alive. Worlds where each element had a purpose and a precise language to identify it. Worlds where relationships ran deeper than blood, a sense of belonging that is only understood by those who were present. “YOU HAD TO BE THERE” Temporally, where you’re from can be where you spent the last undefined amount of time in, where you spent most of your life or where your life started. Materially, we can consider the lives we came from, those who carry stories of their own, and the legacies on which our foundation gets built. The time we spent taking in the scents, the ground and the structures that created our first references to existence can all have weight. “THE PLACE WITH RED SOIL” Ultimately, one’s answer can be adjusted to the awareness of every party involved and the space available to dig deeper. Answering that question for ourselves warrants an evaluation of belonging. Being asked where you are from can be an assumption that you are not from the place where the question is being asked so ultimately, the question becomes: Where do you belong? How, where and when does belonging happen? How do I know I belong? How do I shift spaces so that I can belong? As someone who navigated various physical and cultural spaces, this evaluation is ongoing. As personal shifts happen, definitions of belonging may also change. The way we show up in the world and the response from others, that conversation of spoken and body language, trigger our senses. Many of us have experienced relief, unease, comfort and other emotional responses to certain spaces. Depending on how long we spend in or our purpose in these places, can define how we choose to engage with it and its elements. For those of us who take the responsibility of curating, shaping, making and evaluating spaces, the consideration is deep. Building an understanding of how all elements interact provides a base of understanding of the consequences of sticking to the norm versus disrupting the peace of “business as usual”.  This reflection is to motivate the disruption inclined. Here’s to reflecting on what space, place and belonging look like. Here’s to bringing awareness to other ways of shaping the stages where we live life and challenging hegemonic discourses on space. Here’s to imagining and dreaming up new pathways to tell our stories of existence. &nbsp;   SPACE, PLACE AND OTHER STORIES: A REFLECTION Oct. 2022 “We don’t get to choose where we’re from so it is what it is”,&nbsp; I... http://compoundcanvas.com/CC-Convo-2 Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:19:34 +0000 Compound Canvas 451645 COMPOUND CONVOS: SAFE SPACESEP2 ft. Elsa &amp; Marie Elsa @en_mudler &nbsp; Marie @merrithatbitch Music: Rain, Book And Cup Of Tea by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com &nbsp; COMPOUND CONVOS: SAFE SPACESEP2 ft. Elsa &amp; Marie Elsa @en_mudler &nbsp; Marie @merrithatbitch Music: Rain, Book And Cup Of Tea by | e s c p |... http://compoundcanvas.com/CC-Convo-1 Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:19:31 +0000 Compound Canvas 451644 COMPOUND CONVOS: STUDYING AT THE AIRPORT EP1 ft. Kemo Camara Kemo Camara www.myomek.com @my_omek Music: Rain, Book And Cup Of Tea by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.com   COMPOUND CONVOS: STUDYING AT THE AIRPORT EP1 ft. Kemo Camara Kemo Camara www.myomek.com @my_omek Music: Rain, Book And Cup Of Tea by | e s c p |... http://compoundcanvas.com/Space-is-Sacred Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:19:29 +0000 Compound Canvas 451643 SPACE IS SACRED by Shammah Brempong March 2023 Before we begin, let’s start with a few disclaimers: Everything that has been written comes out of my own experience and reflection. No shade, just telling my truth This article is my way of healing. Healing from my escapism Healing from my&nbsp;Run away when it starts to get crazy. Why can’t she just run away? Baby, I got a plan. Run away fast as you can -. Kanye west. Whew, chile! We (me, my guides and my ancestors) finally did it. Writing this article was difficult. At first, I was very enthusiastic, because I’m getting back to my first love and that is writing. Especially writing my mind and heart out. Well, here I am fighting and struggling to get this out of my system. I think sometimes we as humans fight ourselves if we need to confront whatever has been happening to us. The confrontation of self is different than when another person confronts you on your being. It’s a different version of self-reflection and that’s what’s happening right here, right now and probably in your mind while reading this article. I’ve always been an advocate for community building because I believe in creating a space where we all get to work on each other’s intentions. It’s like this metaphor when someone tries to climb up out of a hole but can’t do it on their own. You need one another to be able to achieve your purpose in life and that goes vice versa. Community building for me means creating a space for vulnerability, failures, growth, cries and laughter. Trusting your INSTINCT and having invisible glasses to be able to observe and read people. Are they genuine with you, as you are with them? Community building is: we pour in each other so that WE (you and I or more) can excel, expand, explore, enhance and elevate. Community building is about creating fellowship. &nbsp; In the western environment, we live in a society where individualism is prioritized.&nbsp; For example, before I made my move towards Ghana, a colleague and I had to defend our dignity in court because we got discriminated against in our (working) space. The funny thing about this whole process is that it could have been so simple, but you rather make it hard? – Lauryn hill. The saddest part of this is that we had to collect evidence for three months before the project developer and our partners believed us. Throughout this process, I noticed that my colleague and I were moving from a community space and they (partners and project developers) were moving from an individualistic space. They were trying to protect their own lane and forgot that we (my colleague and I) created that lane and more. &nbsp; I didn’t feel anymore that what we created within the space with like-minded entrepreneurs had the essence of togetherness because of this situation. I was basically drained of the fact that I was trying to save another person’s ‘space’ while saving my own. Run away when it starts to get crazy. Why can’t she just run away? Baby, I got a plan. Run away fast as you can -. Kanye west. I’m realizing more and more that people are abusing the concept of community building. Of course, everyone has a different definition, but some words have a universal meaning just like community building. Nowadays people are giving me more I’m with you because of what you do instead of who you are and let’s do this together in order to lift each other up and learn. Especially when it comes to learning because you can’t know everything by yourself. &nbsp; As I said earlier, no shade, I’m just telling my truth. In the words of Howard Gardner there are five elements that bring together the aspects of being an entrepreneur or let’s say moving within a space of entrepreneurship: the disciplined, synthesized, creative, respectful and ethical mindset. In this situation, we’re going to discuss the respectful mindset. To be successful in entrepreneurship it’s important to build, maintain and expand professional and personal networks. To have respect for diverse backgrounds and be open-minded. Without this trait, you are holding yourself and your business back from expanding. In the African, Asian, Latin and Caribbean societies the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child" comes first. A child can be your space, business, relationship, brand, product etc. basically whatever you want to grow. It’s all about togetherness, right? I think people get afraid when they notice that you're changing the narrative of how a society moves within a space in a positive way. I’ve learned my lesson and still learning a bunch of lessons. It’s true when they say that life is a school. Know who you are surrounded by, in which space you are and who you allow into your space. Remember your space is sacred. cc Shammah Brempong    SPACE IS SACRED by Shammah Brempong March 2023 Before we begin, let’s start with a few disclaimers: Everything that has been written comes out of... http://compoundcanvas.com/Heterotopia Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:19:28 +0000 Compound Canvas 451642 HETEROTOPIA: AN ANALOGY OF A MIRROR by eliso Feb. 2023  Heterotopia meaning Foucault uses this word to describe spaces that are 'heteros', meaning different, and 'topos', meaning places, so it is about ‘other places’ or 'other spaces' as you might say. They are, as it were, outside spaces, spaces that do not fit into our normal demographics. These other spaces are spaces that are a mirror image of conventional space: as a direct and inverse analogy of it. These spaceless spaces undermine the familiar because they disorganize our order. They undermine our demography. We cannot get a grip on them. They escape from the invisible power that is linked to our order. From their alienation, from their transgression of those grids, they reveal the foundations from which we give meaning to the world by disrupting our cultural demography. They reveal the naked fact that we create an order in things in the world. Different Forms Heterotopias, according to Foucault, occur in every culture throughout history. Moreover, heterotopias have various manifestations, no heterotopia is universal. Heterotopias break through the boundaries of conventional space, contesting the conventional demography by mirroring and inverting its culture. How they do this is characterized by six principles, to which all heterotopias conform to some degree. To get a deeper understanding of these characteristics, they are visualized separately. Heterotopia of crisis or deviation Heterotopias consist of two fundamental forms: heterotopia of crisis or deviation. Crisis spaces are reserved for situations in which the social 'environment' of the culture threatens to become disrupted and which is thus relegated to non-space. These spaces-of-deviation are "abnormal" spaces that don't fit into the "normal" demographics of the culture. <img width="3328" height="4160" width_o="3328" height_o="4160" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/106b78c5b71a9bebdd88f9e712c9b9f95f9c557258f71cfc091a58504c1f1812/Heterotopia-of-crisis-or-deviation.jpg" data-mid="1348290" border="0" /> Heterotopia of disruption of time and space Heterotopias take form in a disruption of time and space. This can be in the most futile aspect of time, but also as an accumulation of time. Heterotopias have the character of a temporary discontinuity, a certain timelessness. <img width="3312" height="2650" width_o="3312" height_o="2650" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/a10d11268b63ed3f919951ff17ba29092068689d70e31017dc6608c9e3127047/Heterotopia-of-disruption-of-time-and-space.jpg" data-mid="1348293" border="0" />  Heterotopia of reflection Heterotopias are a reflection of the culture they’re in. One and the same heterotopia can take different roles in different cultures. Moreover, the function and form of a heterotopia can transform over time. <img width="4160" height="3328" width_o="4160" height_o="3328" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/2b0051eb6fb7ad475865cf9a036706536eddb7764fc51a4a1dc0ee7e490a54a6/heterotopia-of-reflection.jpg" data-mid="1348291" border="0" />  Heterotopia of incompatible juxtapositions Heterotopias are a gathering place in which mutually incompatible and unrelated elements are brought together. These elements can only meet each other in the spaceless space of heterotopia but could never exist together in the conventional demographics. <img width="4160" height="3328" width_o="4160" height_o="3328" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/a10d11268b63ed3f919951ff17ba29092068689d70e31017dc6608c9e3127047/Heterotopia-of-incompatible-juxtapositions.jpg" data-mid="1348292" border="0" />  Heterotopia of false accessibility The gateways of heterotopias are connected with a kind of false accessibility. You cannot just get in or out, there is some kind of exclusivity. <img width="4160" height="3328" width_o="4160" height_o="3328" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/0aaf886e845c9486a9970eb715f41ced1d5233313069548d789e2ffa988d30a5/Heterotopia-of-false-accesibility-.jpg" data-mid="1348295" border="0" />  Heterotopia of illusion or compensation Heterotopias can be an illusion or a compensation of this conventional space(s) of demographics. As they embody an illusory distortion of a conventional space, they give an even more illusory character to the "placement" of that conventional space in demography. For compensation it is the other way around. <img width="3328" height="4160" width_o="3328" height_o="4160" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/0aaf886e845c9486a9970eb715f41ced1d5233313069548d789e2ffa988d30a5/Heterotopia-of-illusion-or-compensation.jpg" data-mid="1348294" border="0" />  An analogy of a mirror You can look at all these characteristics separately, but in reality they are so closely intertwined. The different qualities merge into each other, they generate each other. They are like a "mirror labyrinth", in which one is confronted with wandering, distorted echoes of conventional spaces. Heterotopias refer to 'spaceless spaces' that exceed the boundaries of our conventional spaces and break them; and in this they undermine, challenge, and transform our cultural demography. As 'worlds within worlds' they desacralize our lyricism of space and reveal the codes of our culture. Notes In the analogies / photos with the mirrors, the dissociation of our normal demography is represented, as it is a distorted reflection of our demography. The photographs embody direct and inverse analogies, and because of this, they caught the spectator off guard because of the otherworldly feeling they give. The analogies / photos with the veil focuses on the connection and intimacy associated with transcending and breaking through those conventional spaces. We used a veil as a symbolisation of those “worlds within worlds” that heterotopias embody. They symbolize the fact that they exist as spaceless spaces outside our normal demographics The woman under the veil is naked, because heterotopias also contain worlds within themselves, which also may be much more intimate and ‘real’ in some sense, as they escape the power and control associated with the normal demographics.  References Foucault, M. (1984) ‘ Different spaces’ uit ‘Architecture, mouvement continuite’, 46-49. Translated by Robert Hurley. Johnson, P. (2006). Unravelling Foucault’s ‘different spaces’ uit History of the human sciences Vol. 19 No.4, 75-90, Sage Publications (london Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi). Foucault, M. (2021). De woorden en de dingen. Boom uitgevers, Amsterdam.  Contact Photographer: Carym Zidan / @carym_zidan Model: Loe Teunissen / @migget.111 Fashion design: Melanie van Rijn en Elsemarijn Hijweege (ellome) / @melanievanrijn @eliso.y @ellomethebrand Art director &amp; producer: Elsemarijn Hijweege (eliso) / @eliso.y    HETEROTOPIA: AN ANALOGY OF A MIRROR by eliso Feb. 2023  Heterotopia meaning Foucault uses this word to describe spaces... http://compoundcanvas.com/Son-Journey Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:19:17 +0000 Compound Canvas 451641 SON JOURNEY by Clement Offei Feb. 2023  Join me on a journey through the great outdoors, as we follow a young boy and his father on a sunny day filled with adventure and exploration. The open skies above and the lush nature around them provide the perfect backdrop for their bonding experience. From the panoramic view to picnicking on the mountain, these candid moments captured in photographs showcase the beauty of father-son relationships and the joys of nature. Get ready to be transported to a world of simplicity, where the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the earth come together to create a truly special bond in a simple space. <img width="720" height="1080" width_o="720" height_o="1080" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/1dbf0392e791f7086eb4cca3e92e4f6757efdacb32f3bf591137049f8d386151/FE15C1C5-BE6E-42B4-A721-2327C3231A6D---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348278" border="0" data-scale="35"/>&nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="720" height="1080" width_o="720" height_o="1080" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/e1cf19ee10fcb6245ba151c56d406382acb688fd068dea0542a87f7d10b1d5db/D326945E-2D6F-40DE-9777-6D8891414E26---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348283" border="0" data-scale="35"/><img width="720" height="1080" width_o="720" height_o="1080" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/c5148a420012ea736d58f05491bbaa9674a966722fbf22a118f016c644b80b30/75AC98C1-CF0D-4A35-9D77-A28959A9F0B4---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348287" border="0" data-scale="35"/> &nbsp; <img width="720" height="1080" width_o="720" height_o="1080" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/9e40e2bb17a1754ec043e09f7c141e6766ca462f671f681c8134b1abde4bc7d3/4844C25F-EFCC-4831-AA39-85A15D89091B---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348285" border="0" data-scale="35"/><img width="720" height="1080" width_o="720" height_o="1080" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/6588a243d2085896983ee372b857aa71198e6b3501af7a45a628c88e9346a099/067685AB-6B3D-4264-AAA0-6CDF98AC4F51---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348281" border="0" data-scale="35"/>&nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="720" height="1080" width_o="720" height_o="1080" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/23262c8e8805dc15d7b4472085f2e827a6a53b2cb0777b0eed994090b4271cca/27413BC7-F962-458C-8A9D-11DF760CC98D---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348286" border="0" data-scale="35"/><img width="1080" height="720" width_o="1080" height_o="720" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/0a9a0805a84252cd06ae3c82027d9ff0a8a02f95805f74f178daef85c2214e4a/67D17B41-071D-4DD6-B345-5D41237CE408---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348284" border="0" data-scale="35"/>&nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="1080" height="720" width_o="1080" height_o="720" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/5dde9b519c43988ef0049285fa3700a08556cc5f015a9fe94ae7cf119a2ec6b7/00FE2637-F868-4028-A36E-1889178762F7---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348289" border="0" data-scale="35"/><img width="1080" height="720" width_o="1080" height_o="720" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/03ff02ccab81eb55727a9988f703009b8662f977bce8252bd22d9c3061a220e7/EE6AE49D-B9CB-4D9C-B767-62A5BDE501F3---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348288" border="0" data-scale="53"/><img width="720" height="1080" width_o="720" height_o="1080" src_o="https://cortex.persona.co/t/original/i/ff5a91fc6600e27d07df3abdb1deea907d68fe7ac412c152bb039691ebd4fc64/AB5C4649-B557-4AE3-899C-AB79962C192D---clement-offei-agyeman.jpeg" data-mid="1348282" border="0" /> cc Clement Offei    SON JOURNEY by Clement Offei Feb. 2023  Join me on a journey through the great outdoors, as we follow a young boy and his father on a sunny day... http://compoundcanvas.com/Kolwezi-DRC Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:19:09 +0000 Compound Canvas 451640 KOLWEZI, DRC: THE COST OF CONNECTION Jan. 2023 The colonial project in Africa was mainly motivated by the usurpation of its abundant and diverse natural resources. The discovery of large mineral deposits by colonizing nations gave way to the historical legacy of foreign own land in many parts of the continent. In this (debatable) post-colonial period and with growing development in industrial practices, mining areas experience complete transformation by way of social and environmental depletion. This period also inherits political corruption, leading to the gains of commercial extraction being shared between corrupt leaders, civil servants and foreign businesses. What should have been a viable way of rebuilding old colonies, became the ground of neocolonialism. The shift from traditional modes of governance to the imposition of colonial rule to a post-colonial structure is still being negotiated. Many of us have heard of the dangerous mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo for minerals like cobalt that power our phones, computers and cars. The country produces about 70% of the world’s supply of cobalt, 15% of which is sourced through artisanal mining (Murray, 2022). Let’s take a moment to look at one of the cities holding one of the largest reserves of Cobalt: Kolwezi. This southern city was “founded in 1937 by the Union Minière du Haut-Katanga, a mining company created by Belgian royal decree” where it housed its Congolese workers who built its infrastructure and worked the mines (Niarchos, 2021). It is now home to half a million people and sits atop cobalt, gold and copper reserves (Africanews, 2022). The city keeps its financial attractiveness despite the violent political transitions it has experienced since independence. Mining is strong as ever, with people being bought out of their neighbourhoods to expand extraction activities. &nbsp; One of the major foreign players in the area is China, where the company Congo DongFang International was granted mineral rights in 2015 (Niarchos, 2022). It is currently working on expanding its activities in the neighborhood of Kasuo, meaning that thousands of people will be displaced and driven into more precarity. In this case, citizens are offered buyouts and relocation in areas that do not have running water or electricity, while the mines are supplied with these utilities (Africanews, 2022). However, living in proximity to mines poses significant health and environmental concerns given the water and air pollution caused by mining. This is where corruption once again fails locals, as preference is given to the entities that will be providing more business to the country and lining politicians’ pockets. Some have taken matters into their own hands by way of artisanal mining. Operating as freelancers, citizens in these resource-rich areas hand-dig in their own backyards, generating a higher income from producing “higher grade ores than those extracted through industrial or mechanized production means” (Murray, 2022). The health and environmental risks associated with this informal sector are exacerbated by companies illegally buying these minerals, which are priced more attractively (ibid.). The lack of regulations and safety enables not only unfair wages but also, inhumane treatment. And so so we come back to the beginning; the battery-making business is dirty. But it’s better than using fossil fuels to generate energy, right? From the multinational perspective, that has capitalism as its ethos, the answer is: Yes. Seemingly improving one environmental issue by aggravating another (that is, using a place as both a source of bounty and landfill) only enables greenwashing. People are part of nature; the habit of survival cannot be an indictment of those who have been collateral damage for centuries. Taking about both people just trying to eat and the earth trying to regulate itself by regulating* humans through extreme weather events. The cruelty of false hope promised by technical advancement is only driving us backwards. I do believe that bottom-up pushback is possible as we’ve seen with the mobilization of indigenous people in the Americas against oil companies. A reclaiming of lands is slowly being strategized in Africa, with countries like South Africa and Ghana working on making striking deals to rejuvenate mining lands.  References Murray, Aphra.&nbsp;Cobalt Mining: The Dark Side of the Renewable Energy Transition. 27 September 2022. https://earth.org/cobalt-mining/ https://www.africanews.com/2022/11/18/dr-congo-town-set-to-disappear-as-mines-expand// *Check your favourite “slang” website for this definition    KOLWEZI, DRC: THE COST OF CONNECTION Jan. 2023 The colonial project in Africa was mainly motivated by the usurpation of its abundant and diverse... http://compoundcanvas.com/Bicultural-Privilege Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:19:00 +0000 Compound Canvas 451639 LEVERAGING BICULTURAL PRIVILEGE Nov. 2022 Calling all generation 1.5 kids who had the privilege of being born in a developing* country and growing up in Europe or North America. Navigating multiple cultures through the communities we’ve lived in across countries and continents make us an interesting bunch with potential to make informed change. Some of us have the passport privilege to breeze through customs (maybe even to opt for special treatment because our Uncle is friend’s with the the head of security or by giving a few bucks). Some of us can also go ‘back home’ for vacation, escaping from the stress that our adoptive homes give us (and our parents) in exchange for the privilege of mobility that we enjoy. Now calling the thoughtful many of this group: how de we leverage this?  Side note —Re: Developing The way development is still understood in our dominant discourse (news, politics, etc.) is very much anchored in Western norms. I believe development should be focused on the socio-economic improvement of nations based on their cultural contexts and how they chose to engage in global relationships. This means developing sectors of the economy that are sustainable while being mindful of the local economy’s health such that imports that satiate the desire for variety don’t price out national merchants. Competition is inevitable, but it’s not cute when it ruins your currency. From a spatial development perspective, designs, plans and materials should also be localized, accounting for weather and behaviour. Traditional wisdom supports sustainable and accessible pathways to development. Some of us have witnessed and experienced moments where our relatives would take advantage of someone’s travels to acquire certain things. As young adults, supporting our counterparts in their hustle by bringing them certain tools is one small way to pour into the equity cup. Starting businesses, partnering with and employing locals is another. But what I wonder is how do some of us shift the perspective whereby we see back home as a viable option to actually be home rather than a temporary retreat? As mentioned, change should be contextualized. At a personal level, this first means the need to re-evaluate certain comforts and expectations. What we don’t want is to reproduce saviour behaviour that we call out when it it wielded by white people. Best practices are not the best everywhere.&nbsp; The street smarts that some of us have developed in spaces that are (un)favourable to us must be complemented with healthy humility as we navigate through and advocate for our multiple homes. All systems appear one way, but their theoretic accuracy are put in question and can vary depending on who engages with it. I obviously have no answers but multiple examples of possibilities based on how they represent themselves, rarely knowing the how. There are few forums of exchange where people of similar ancestry can share their thoughts and experiences on bringing the gap between their cultural identities (shoutout to Omek).  I’ll make a promise to you now dear reader; I will look for cases where bicultural people and communities are working towards sustainable initiatives to mold thoughtful ways of living that considers their entire being. Watch and engage with this space.    LEVERAGING BICULTURAL PRIVILEGE Nov. 2022 Calling all generation 1.5 kids who had the privilege of being born in a developing* country and growing...