Vision City - Djibouti

The project proposes a commercial retail center with businesses and services of various scales south of Balbala North, a satellite urban area on the western edge of the Djibouti metro area. The project site is an undeveloped tract of desert at a major intersection of national highways, and adjacent to the campus of the National University of Djibouti. Nearby points of interest include Hassan Gouled International Airport, Djibouti National Archives, and the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway.

An initial phase would consist of a circular outdoor pedestrian mall located on the most prominent corner of the site. Program including a grocery store, hotel, banquet hall and office building would anchor the development and draw visitors who may patronize some of the smaller infill businesses while on site. Parking is constrained to the interior of the development. Future phases of the project would expand the commercial center and incorporate residential buildings of varied scales on the eastern part of the site. The overall development would adhere to a radial layout, with pedestrian walkways linking all areas into a cohesive experience.

Over the commercial areas, a large tensile network of flexible solar cells would provide shade for the buildings and visitors while reducing heat island effect and generating energy. Along with strategically placed water features in public areas, these features will passively and actively cool and reduce the sweltering summer temperatures Djibouti is known for and create a comfortable place where people will want to gather.