To Build A Home: A Community Centre for Homeless at Jinja, Uganda | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

Jinja is a city located in Uganda. It is well-known for the source of the Nile as well as other geographical and cultural landmarks. Known as the “adventure capital of East Africa,” it provides bungee jumping and white-water rafting experiences. With establishments like Busoga University and important military education facilities, the city is a centre for education. Its infrastructure consists of improved transport links and major hydroelectric power plants.

Overall, Jinja is a must-visit location in Uganda because of its unique combination of natural beauty, exciting activities, cultural diversity, and modern amenities. However, despite its economic potential, Jinja faces challenges, primarily with housing and employment, reflecting broader national issues. The surge of people seeking opportunities in the city increases homelessness and strains local resources. With major contributions from industries like services and agriculture, Uganda’s economy expanded 5.2% nationally in the fiscal year 2022–2023.

The main causes of homelessness in Jinja are urbanisation, unemployment, and poverty, which are reflected in larger national problems. There are an estimated 500,000 homeless people in Uganda, and in Jinja, the lack of affordable housing and economic challenges make the problem worse. This project is intended not just to provide a short-term solution but to take into consideration the lives of the users in the long term.

Design Process

This project aims to help the homeless reintegrate back into society. Having identified numerous reasons for homelessness, it was found that poverty is the number one contributing factor. However, rather than merely providing shelter, the focus of the initiative is to help individuals find purpose in their lives through work and community, fostering a sense of belonging. The central question became, “What is a home?” A home is defined as a place where one feels connected to the people around them, has a sense of purpose, and where daily life extends beyond mere survival. This led to the exploration of how these elements could be recreated.

In Uganda, there are three primary elements responsible for bringing people together: Religion, Culture, and Survival. The Jinja region currently lacks a major market space, and creating one would foster community, provide shelter, and develop skills/livelihood opportunities. The idea was to identify elements of community in the region, such as cultural fabric and gathering spaces. In terms of skills, marketable trades common to the region were pinpointed to be taught to the residents. For housing, small, easy-to-build, sustainable shelters were designed, and residents would be taught how to construct these shelters or at least participate in the building process.

Final Outcome

In Uganda, religion, culture, and survival are vital components that foster community cohesion. The Jinja region requires a communal space to involve the homeless, highlight their talents, and shift public perception, while emphasizing their importance to local residents. The project includes four main programs: a Market Hall, Learning Center, Administrative facilities, and Housing Units.

1- Market Hall: The area currently lacks a significant market space, and establishing one would provide an opportunity for local residents to engage with the homeless community. It would also offer the homeless a platform to demonstrate their newly acquired skills. The market is designed to attract people to the space, fostering interaction between the residents and the homeless population.

2- Learning Center: To contribute to a community, individuals must add value by offering a good or service, for which they receive monetary compensation. This enables them to make a living and thrive within their society. Therefore, simply providing housing is not enough; equipping individuals with skills they can use to sustain themselves financially is essential. This approach encourages greater community involvement and instills a sense of personal worth. 

3- Administration: An administrative building is designed to oversee the management of the entire area while also providing quieter spaces for functions such as a library and a computer center. The structure is built using durable materials, including metal roof sheeting supported by a wooden timber frame and concrete pad foundations.

4- Housing Units: Affordable housing units are constructed using locally available materials and simple building methods that are easy to teach. With a community and learning space in place, these shelters offer temporary stability for small displaced families as they work towards reintegrating into society. The units are built primarily from compressed earth bricks (CEB), a common, easy-to-use material in the region. 

Designed with cavity walls and angled roofs for natural cooling and insulation, the homes are arranged in clusters of two or three to foster a sense of community and reduce isolation. The layout maintains the area’s urban fabric, providing each resident with a personal space that instills a sense of ownership and belonging. These homes give residents the comfort of knowing they have a place to return to and neighbors to share their experiences with.

Conclusion: This project aims not only to aid the homeless but also to strengthen connections among community members. In Jinja, the homeless are often viewed negatively, but by establishing a space where the community and homeless can collaborate to empower one another, the project promotes mutual support. It shifts the focus from simply aiding the homeless to fostering an environment where everyone plays a role in uplifting each other.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]