Researchers from Miastopracownia explore feminist innovations in urban planning, looking at how cities can better serve women’s needs. One of the main encounters in this research was with Joan Otieno, an artist and activist living and working in Korogocho, an informal settlement in Nairobi.
Joan creates striking works of art from waste materials, mainly discarded cans and plastic. Her portraits often depict women dressed in elaborate garments made from recycled materials. At Warembo Wasanii, the studio she runs, she teaches young girls from the settlement how to craft intricate costumes from plastic waste, banners, and metal cans, materials sourced from nearby landfills. But her work extends far beyond art. She has built a space that offers safety and empowerment to young women in an environment where they face constant threats. Her studio becomes a centre of creativity, mutual support, and solidarity.
Joan not only shared her artistic practice with architects and researchers from Miastopracownia, but also offered invaluable and practical insights into the visibility and safety of women in Nairobi’s public spaces which is a great inspiration for feminist urban design, highlighting the need to create cities that prioritise women’s presence, agency, and well-being.