Agriculture as the incubator for Moengo's economic revival

Moengo is a former bauxite mining town in the eastern part of Suriname, which is still recovering from the closure of the bauxite industry and the terror of the domestic war.

In this design focused study we research the current position of the city of Moengo in relationship to the usage and lifestyle patterns of its residents as well as the city’s spatial, socio- demographic and ecological aspects. With specific focus on Moengo’s existing small-scale economic activities, we aim to create a spatial and organisational framework from which development into stronger economies may evolve, thus improving the residents’ standard of living. We aim to create an environment for economic development and growth by tapping into the existing experiences and networks of the local entrepreneurs and more experienced regional entrepreneurs.

Also the reuse and renovation of Moengo's urban and heritage features may lift the initiatives to a next level with the potential for further social and economic progress. The residents of Mungo where involved in the project as of its initiation and worked towards a co-productive end result. This research fits in the trans disciplinary approach of the Plan4Cure-research of the University of Antwerp which targets the revitalisation of cultural and urban environment of Suriname.