Kwesi Afrifa: Harnessing Technology for Urban Planning and Cultural Revitalization
MIT student Kwesi Afrifa combines his passion for technology and urban planning to create software tools that enhance city systems and empower communities.
Kwesi Afrifa, a senior at MIT, is making waves in the fields of urban planning, computer science, and cultural revitalization. Hailing from Accra, Ghana, Afrifa’s upbringing in a bustling city sparked his interest in improving urban life through technology. With a focus on creating software tools for city planners, Afrifa has been working on an open-source, Python-based tool that analyzes pedestrians’ behaviors. Additionally, he has been involved in projects that connect communities, promote African languages, and revive the theater scene at MIT. Afrifa’s dedication to making cities more efficient and inclusive is shaping his future as a software engineer and entrepreneur.
Empowering Cities through Technology
Afrifa firmly believes that technology has the power to accelerate development and empower citizens in urban settings. Witnessing this firsthand, he created the website ghanabills.com during high school, which aggregated bills of parliament in Ghana and provided a platform for discussion. He sees technology as a democratizing force that can bridge the gap between residents and their communities. Afrifa’s work at MIT, particularly in the City Form Lab, has focused on developing tools that allow researchers and policymakers to analyze the impact of structural changes on walkability and the pedestrian experience.
Bridging Language and Visibility
In addition to his urban planning pursuits, Afrifa is passionate about sharing African languages and cultures. Alongside other African students, he co-founded the Mandla app, aimed at revitalizing African languages by providing gamified lessons, voice translations, and interactive features for learning. Although the app was discontinued due to funding constraints, Afrifa continues to promote African culture at MIT. He is currently collaborating on a short film and multimedia installation that explores the connections between perceptions of African art and identity. Afrifa envisions expanding this collaboration beyond MIT to further showcase African culture and heritage.
Reviving the Theater Scene
Afrifa’s passion for the arts, particularly theater, has also found a home at MIT. He revived the Black Theater Guild (BTG), a theater group that had been dormant for several years. Under his leadership, the BTG has produced two successful plays, “Nkrumah’s Last Day” and “Shooting the Sheriff,” both written and directed by Afrifa. This experience has allowed him to conceptualize ideas, write stories, and create a vibrant community of artists. Afrifa’s goal is to continue pursuing theater post-graduation, further enriching the cultural landscape.
Conclusion:
Kwesi Afrifa’s journey at MIT exemplifies the power of combining technology, urban planning, and cultural revitalization. Through his work in the City Form Lab, he is developing tools that will enhance the efficiency and inclusivity of city systems. His efforts to promote African languages and culture, as well as his revival of the theater scene at MIT, demonstrate his commitment to empowering communities and amplifying marginalized voices. As Afrifa prepares to embark on his career as a software engineer and entrepreneur, his vision of creating urban data tools and promoting cultural exchange will undoubtedly shape the future of cities and communities.