Poverty and water infrastructure – A case study in Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors

  • Adolfo F. L. Baratta ‘Roma Tre’ University (Italy)
  • Fabrizio Finucci ‘Roma Tre’ University (Italy)
  • Antonio Magarò ‘Roma Tre’ University (Italy)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69143/2464-9309/17192025

Keywords:

water crisis, poverty reduction, food security, inclusive education, climate change

Abstract

The World Health Organisation attributes a broad meaning to the term ‘health’, spanning peace and social justice (WHO, 1946), thus recognising health as a fundamental human right. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched to ensure all health aspects, aiming for integration between economic, social, and environmental sustainability (UNEP, 2015). These goals are universally relevant but context-specific in their application. Some marginal areas suffer endemic disadvantages due to the unavailability of essential resources, such as water, exacerbated by climate change. This article presents some outcomes of a research project by the Department of Architecture at ‘Roma Tre’ University aimed at building self-constructed infrastructure for healthcare, food, and water in marginal areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Article info

Received: 14/03/2025; Revised: 20/04/2025; Accepted: 22/04/2025

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Author Biographies

Adolfo F. L. Baratta, ‘Roma Tre’ University (Italy)

Architect, PhD, he is an Associate Professor in Architectural Technology at the Department of Architecture. His research focuses on visible technologies (production, construction, and environmental quality) and invisible ones (project and construction process management).
E-mail: adolfo.baratta@uniroma3.it

Fabrizio Finucci, ‘Roma Tre’ University (Italy)

Architect and PhD, he is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture. His main research activity concerns evaluation techniques implemented through inclusive and dialogic approaches.
E-mail: fabrizio.finucci@uniroma3.it

Antonio Magarò, ‘Roma Tre’ University (Italy)

Architect and PhD, he is a Contract Professor at the ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome and a Researcher at ‘Roma Tre’ University (Italy). His research focuses on innovative technologies for architectural heritage and sustainable habitats designed from a human- and user-centred perspective.
E-mail: antonio.magaro@uniroma3.it

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The Toumbouba barrage under construction (credit: the Authors). AGATHÓN 17 | 2025

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Published

30-06-2025

How to Cite

Baratta, A. F. L., Finucci, F. and Magarò, A. (2025) “Poverty and water infrastructure – A case study in Sub-Saharan Africa”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 17, pp. 284–295. doi: 10.69143/2464-9309/17192025.

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