African project
Mzamba Bridge
T
he community driven project ´bridgingMzamba` originated in the
urgent need of surrounding inhabitants for a safe crossing of the river
and included design and implementation of the suspension bridge in a
collaborative manner.
A Steering Committee representing the local community and client
guided the process and carried on negotiations with necessary entities.
The driving force of tribal authority, ward committee, governmental
entities and stakeholders, ensured a successful public participation and
sustainable project.
The Austria-based NPO build Collective teamed up with thesis students of the
Carinthia University of Applied Science and engineers from South Africa and
Switzerland for design and planning. Technology used is balancing environmental
impact, available resources, state-of-the-art lightweight engineering, accessibility
and aesthetics. Overall project costs of 200 000 Euros have been carried solely by
sponsors, donations and personal contribution.
In several phases of negotiations, fundraising, design and construction since 2012,
this extraordinary infrastructure could be realized in October 2015 as a self-build
project of community members and volunteers from Europe.
The Mzamba Bridge is now connecting residents of a catchment area of 30km to
necessary infrastructure such as educational facilities, health care, jobs and general
food supply. Furthermore, it serves as a landmark and potential tourist attraction in
the area.