Thesis Proposal Mason in Ivory Coast Abidjan – Free Word Template Download with AI

Submitted to: Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan

Prepared by: [Candidate Name], Master's Candidate in Sustainable Urban Development

Date: October 26, 2023

The rapid urbanization of Ivory Coast Abidjan demands innovative approaches to sustainable development that honor local cultural heritage while addressing contemporary infrastructure challenges. This Thesis Proposal centers on "Mason" – not as a person, but as a transformative concept representing traditional masonry practices integrated with modern construction methodologies. In the context of Abidjan's explosive growth (projected at 4% annually), where 65% of new housing lacks formal planning, this research proposes that revitalizing indigenous masonry techniques can mitigate environmental degradation, reduce construction costs by up to 30%, and preserve cultural identity. As Ivory Coast's economic capital and home to over 7 million residents, Abidjan represents a critical laboratory for testing how "Mason" – as a sustainable building paradigm – can reshape urban resilience across West Africa.

Current construction in Abidjan relies heavily on imported materials and non-vernacular techniques, exacerbating carbon emissions (40% higher than regional averages) and increasing housing costs by 25% compared to traditional methods. Crucially, the knowledge systems of local masons – artisans who have used earth-based techniques for centuries – are being eroded by industrialization. This disconnect creates three critical gaps: (1) loss of culturally significant building heritage, (2) unsustainable resource consumption in a nation where 70% of construction materials are imported, and (3) housing shortages affecting 45% of Abidjan's population. The term "Mason" here symbolizes the need to recenter these artisans as knowledge holders rather than laborers within the city's development framework.

1. To document and catalog indigenous masonry techniques used by Abidjan-based artisans (e.g., "bousillage" earth plaster, clay brick molding).
2. To evaluate the environmental and economic viability of adapting these techniques for modern multi-unit housing.
3. To co-design a "Mason Framework" with local masons, architects, and community leaders for pilot implementation in Abidjan's informal settlements.
4. To assess how integrating "Mason" practices can enhance climate resilience against Abidjan's increasing flooding risks (20% rise since 2010).

While studies on sustainable masonry exist in Brazil and India, few address West African contexts. Research by Koffi (2019) notes Abidjan's "architectural amnesia" where traditional methods are discarded despite their thermal efficiency (reducing cooling costs by 40%). Similarly, UNESCO's 2021 report on Ivory Coast emphasized that preserving mason knowledge is essential for authentic urban identity. This Thesis Proposal uniquely positions "Mason" as the nexus between these gaps – not as a relic but as an adaptable system. It builds on Dr. Adjobi’s work in Ghana (2020) while addressing Abidjan-specific challenges like coastal erosion and high humidity, which necessitate localized adaptations of traditional techniques.

Employing a mixed-methods approach across three phases:

• Phase 1 (Months 1-3): Ethnographic documentation with 50+ masons in Abidjan's districts (Plateau, Cocody, Bingerville), capturing techniques through video and material testing.
• Phase 2 (Months 4-7): Collaborative design workshops with "Mason" artisans and architects to develop low-cost, flood-resistant housing prototypes using locally sourced earth and recycled materials.
• Phase 3 (Months 8-10): Pilot implementation in a peri-urban site (e.g., Adjame) with 20 households, measuring energy use, construction time, and community satisfaction via participatory GIS mapping.

Data will be triangulated through surveys, material analysis (compressive strength tests), and focus groups. Crucially, all findings will be co-owned by participating masons – ensuring "Mason" remains a community-driven initiative rather than academic extraction.

This Thesis Proposal directly advances Ivory Coast's National Urban Development Plan (2030) by offering:

• Practical Impact: A scalable "Mason" toolkit for affordable housing, targeting 5,000 units in Abidjan by 2035.
• Cultural Preservation: Revitalizing mason knowledge as part of Ivory Coast's intangible cultural heritage (UNESCO-recognized since 2018).
• Economic Catalyst: Creating green jobs for 500+ local artisans, reducing Abidjan's construction import dependency by 22%.
• Policy Influence: Drafting a municipal ordinance for "Mason" certification to integrate traditional skills into Abidjan’s building codes.

The research is eminently feasible due to Abidjan's vibrant masonry community and institutional support:

• Local Partnerships: MoU with the Association of Ivorian Masons (AMO) and Abidjan Municipal Housing Authority.
• Resource Access: Collaboration with University of Abidjan-Lagune's Sustainable Materials Lab for material testing.
• Risk Mitigation: Phase 3 pilot will prioritize areas with low flood risk to ensure project safety, aligning with Ivory Coast’s Climate Resilience Strategy.

Phase	Timeline
Field Documentation & Literature Review	Jan-Mar 2024
Collaborative Design Workshops ("Mason Framework")	Apr-Jun 2024
Pilot Implementation & Data Collection	Jul-Sep 2024
Data Analysis & Thesis Writing	Oct-Dec 2024

This Thesis Proposal transcends conventional urban studies by positioning "Mason" not as a passive subject of research, but as an active agent of transformation in Ivory Coast Abidjan. It recognizes that the city’s future lies not in erasing its past, but in harnessing the wisdom of its masons to build inclusively and sustainably. In a region where 90% of urban growth is unplanned, this work offers a blueprint for cities worldwide: that heritage is not an obstacle to progress, but its most potent catalyst. By centering Abidjan’s masons in the development process, we honor Ivory Coast’s cultural soul while engineering solutions for its next generation. This Thesis Proposal thus promises to deliver actionable knowledge – where every brick laid reflects both tradition and tomorrow.

• Koffi, A. (2019). *Urban Architectural Identity in Francophone West Africa*. Dakar Press.
• UNESCO. (2021). *Cultural Heritage and Climate Resilience: Ivory Coast Case Study*.
• Adjobi, S. (2020). "Earth Construction in Ghanaian Urban Contexts." *Journal of Sustainable Architecture*, 14(3), 88-104.
• Ivory Coast Ministry of Housing. (2023). *National Urban Development Plan: Strategic Framework for Abidjan (2030)*.

Word Count: 897

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