Daanyaal Loofer has a background in Geography and GIS, holding a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and a City and Regional Planning Masters from the University of Cape Town (UCT). On completion of his studies, he joined the African Centre for Cities (ACC) at UCT where he resides to date as research assistant for the Director, Prof. Edgar Pieterse. Daanyaal’s work takes a focus on digital technology, metropolitan spatial planning, urban infrastructure and more closely GIS mapping. He previously held the position of Administrator to the Chair of Validation at the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) where he maintained and updated the global validation portfolio and organized the validation of architectural schools around the world. Daanyaal also lectures GIS and hybrid mapping techniques for the City Planning Honors students in the Architecture, Planning and Geomatics school where he graduated at UCT. At the moment, Daanyaal is in the preparation stages of his PhD proposal where he plans to research counter-mapping and explorative mapping methods and techniques that engage collaborative decision-making and co-production of space between community members, grassroots, NGO, civic organizations with the private sector and the state. This research draws on Daanyaal’s experience within his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, his time working at the ACC, and from lecturing mapping techniques for City Planning students. From this background, he is especially interested in reforming studio pedagogy within the built environment field where planners, urban designers and architects are taught how to produce maps, design and contribute to the urban form, but most importantly, how to collaborate with citizens to support their values and aspirations through the power of mapping.

Contact

daanyaalloofer@gmail.com