Somalia’s architectural boom in Mogadishu gives women high ambitions.

In the capital of Somalia, architecture is growing rapidly, and Mogadishu literally rises from the violent past ashes, providing unexpected opportunities for women like Fathi Mohamed Abdi and Saadia Ahmed Omar.

Two young female engineers are supervising the construction of an apartment complex on the 10th floor of the Taleh of the city of Hosan.

Wear a hard hat and explore the road through architectural materials to instruct the workers’ team.

ABDI, the chief operating officer of Somalia -owned construction company Arkan Engineering Services, told the BBC, “I doubted me when I started.”

“They said, ‘How can you believe the house built by a woman? How can you believe money and property with a young female engineer?’

Her and her colleague MS OMAR has been practicing engineers for the past five years.

Omar, 24, said, “Mogadishu needs us.

Former Italian colonial Somalia experienced the inter -Korean war in January 1991 after President Xad Bare’s government collapsed.

Even now, the scars of decades of war are still seen in the central district of Shangani, where there is still a bombed building. However, the ruins are replaced by hidden or tall office complexes and apartments, and the skyline is a crane and a scaffolding.

Two young women were born and grew up during the inter -Korean war and witnessed their sculptures. Many Somalians chose to leave, but despite the fact that Al-shabab, a group related to Al-Kaeda, was rebelling, it continued to stay by passion for reconstruction.

Omar said, “I think that some of the reasons why women get more in this field are too much to do and there are not enough experts.

Ibrahim Abdi Heyle, chairman of the Somali Engineers Association, agrees that high demand for skilled professionals is leading to changes in the traditional Somalia -dominated society.

“The workload has increased significantly through a lot of continuous infrastructure, energy and technology projects. As a result, the association encourages more women’s participation and emphasizes that they are not only welcome but also the important gaps of manpower.”

“The association thinks that it not only helps to meet the increasing demand for women in the field of engineering, but also provides various perspectives and innovative solutions to the industry.”

According to the office of the Mogadishu market, more than 6,000 buildings have been built in the last five years, and there have been significant changes in the city’s landscape.

Salah Hassan Omar, a mayor spokesman, said, “Mogadishu’s security has improved, resulting in an increase in high -rise and commercial buildings.

Nevertheless, because only 5%of engineers are women, it was not an easy way for ABDI and MS OMAR, and often had little mentoring opportunities.

“When I applied for an internship, most companies refused me.” They did not think that women could handle the physical demands of engineering. I searched for three months before someone finally gave me a chance. “

Today they are one of the most recognized female engineers in Mogadishu and have supervised more than 30 million projects.

Abdi said, “The city is now the home of tall buildings and modern infrastructure, in contrast to the past Mogadishu.

But not everyone is satisfied with change. Veteran architect SIIDOW CABDULLE BOOLAAY mourns the loss of the city’s historical characteristics.

The BBC said, “The building that once decorated Somalia before the war was beautiful and at that time in Africa, it attracted attention because of its rare Italian -style architecture,” the BBC says. “Mogadishu’s urban planning is highly structured.”

Boolaay also has a safety issue. “The sand used in the building of Mogadishu is salty and damages its effect.”

The sand of the long coastline of Somalia is often used to make cement. In general, in many situations, high salt content can lead to corrosion of steel, so it is limited by international building standards.

“This high -rise building is not designed to withstand fire or heavy rain, and the safety of tenants is not considered during development. Many of these buildings lack fire extinguishers and appropriate electricity installation.”

He says he is paying attention to the speed of the building, and quality control is being damaged.

There have been no regulations for many years, and it has been concerned about structural integrity.

Omar in the mayor’s office admits that this is the case three years ago and says that he can’t do anything about the building.

But he currently claims that “there is no quality control and no one will build a building without a building.”

“We are also preparing a new law to clearly define the place where you can build a high -rise building and where only residential houses must be built.”

But I am worried while the regulations are in place. Due to the speed of the building boom, there are often follow -up checks.

ABDI and MS OMAR, who graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering at Plasma University Mogadishu, say that all projects of the company have been approved by local authorities.

The rapid growth of the construction project is due to the investment in Diaspora and the improvement of security, but the Islamic armed forces, which control the large -scale bunch of southern Somalia, are still aiming for the city.

According to the World Bank, the remittance accounted for 16.7%of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022.

But fast urbanization also exposed Mogadish to the infrastructure problem. The risk of insufficient sewage systems and untreated drilling drilling is to deplete the groundwater reserves.

The UN Climate Security and Environmental Advisor Christophe Hodder warns that the unidentified construction boom can have long -term environmental results.

“We need a adjusted approach to water management or a crisis in the future. Each new building is digging in its own boring ball. There may be 10 to 20 boreholes in small spaces,” the BBC said.

The government has partnerships with international organizations to study new sewage systems, but the implementation may require demolition of existing buildings.

HODDER added that Mogadishu has a high population density.

He said that the increase in urban population, especially slums, could further increase poverty and social imbalances.

Despite these challenges, the future of Mogadishu looks promising. The city is trying to implement urban development regulations, improve infrastructure, and ensure sustainable growth.

Even the bombing of the Islamic armed group Al -SHABAB tends to target politicians often aims for sewing hotels.

Mr. Hail admits that the building can be angry with architects and engineers who have been destroyed, but Somalia pointed out.

“Many explosions have occurred. Our dream hasn’t stopped it. Today we are resurrecting the collapsed engineering jobs 30 years ago. It means that there is hope.”

And ambitions will be rebuilt not only in modern cities, but also after dispute.

OMAR said, “I think Mogadishu is a different city compared to the 1990s: the city has been changed to a new style and Mogadishu’s development is consistent with the new world.

“I am proud when I walk the street and build a building. We are just building hope, not just buildings.”

ABDI added: “We are proving that women can not only design buildings, but also lead the project and form a city.”