Community Planner Belgin Gumru presents the Anam Master Plan
The Chife Foundation project team was invited to speak to the Anam Rebirth Council at the end of July about the Anam City Master Plan. In a rare regional and cross-community gathering, the 8 traditional Anam communities (currently spread across different towns in the State) joined together to start to address their development needs in a broader more cohesive manner. With this approach, the council is embarking on an ambitious process, a model at the forefront of best practices in Regional Planning & Development.
The Anam City design and research ideas were well received by the Council and the possibility of extending the project to the broader Anam region was discussed. The Council also expressed their support for moving forward with the necessary approvals and environmental assessments required by the government.
During the visit to Nigeria, The Chife Foundation also held several focus group sessions with local residents to discuss their vision for the future city.
Anam Elders discuss the design progress
Anam men's focus group discussing their future and Anam City
ANAM CITY Blog 
It is great that community engagement and participation is part of your model.
I see more men represented here… which is reflective of the set up in most African communities that are largely patriarchal. What is the Anam City project doing to integrate and engage more women in the decision making processes?
Men, women and youth in Anam have strong existing associations and organizations through which they are actively engaged in cultural, societal, political and economical affairs in their communities. There is a balance (and sometimes separation) of responsibilities divided amongst the age groups and genders that appear to have been effective for the community for many years. The project team seeks to respect, operate within, legitimize and where necessary, strengthen this traditional form of self governance. Members from the community are involved through attendance at presentations, active participation in focus groups and individual interviews. Much of the current and traditional indigenous knowledge systems are understood through these forums.