Public spaces: How best can we utilise them?

Editor, RE: “Where is Rwanda’s ‘akarubanda’ today?” (The New Times, October 9). Kigali is a beautiful city with lots of incredible stuff that will leave one amazed. Every time I come to Rwanda, I fall in love with the breath-taking attractions there — the hills, greenery, its people, decent roadside garden workers and the hospitality. Look at the gardens surrounding the Ministry of Defence (MINADEF), the gardens around Kigali International Airport, the magnificent Rwanda National Police headquarters, and the wonderful greenery on the road along Village Urugwiro. All of it is very stunning and serene. However, a lot can be done by the city planners. The city still lacks a lot of things that could add value. For example, the city needs as many public gardens as possible, with trees, flowers and fruits, where people can rest and read a novel or newspapers, or where couples can meet for fresh air together. The gardens around MINADEF, for example, would make a perfect place to relax if they were accessible to the public. The planners need to also consider how to attract businesses in these public places. Yulian ************************************** Editor, Most Rwandans assume that a public space needs to be a big, expansive area (a street, garden or park), which is not actually right. That is why in Kigali probably we don’t have many spots gazetted as public spaces. Several streets in Kigali can actually accommodate public spaces, where people can sit and have a little chat, rest, and so on.That would be very good for the people. Also, the already existing public places can be made more cosy with simple furniture, shelters and other facilities.What is needed is to re-think how those places are designed and letting the public dictate what to do in these spaces and not the other way round. Patrick Kayeye

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Public spaces: How best can we utilise them?