This project seeks to identify how landscape architects can work as mediators to integrate systems of modern agricultural production with cultural heritage and ecological process.
Spanning the African content, the Sahel is a region defined not by politics but by climate. Recieving 200-600mm of precipitation in a short rainy season, the boundaries of this area are defined but fluid over time, as weather patterns are extremely dynamic from year to year.
Looking at the 4 major rivers of the Sahel reveals a shared set of issues resulting from tensions in the relationship between people and hydrological systems, and pressure on water resources from forces of urbanization and environmental change
From space we can see the disappearing of lake Chad, the largest inland lake of North Africa.
Diversion of rivers towards agricultural irrigation projects have caused the lake to shrink from 26000km² to just 1500km² in just 40 years.