Republic of Congo X Democratic Republic of Congo

Public transportation in major urban environments is perhaps the best contemporary manifestation of a place where all walks of life congregate. This exposure to others already creates a feeling of trust with others: sharing a train and having nothing bad happen to you is a relatively positive experience. That being said, social interactions on public transit are typically fleeting and brief. Is there room to more greatly capitalize on these radically shared spaces?

This proposal converts a cargo ship as a retooled, basketball infused ferry boat offering public passage between the neighboring Congos. Four courts are intervened below the deck of the boat, and a large canopy is constructed, building on the cargo ship’s existing crane infrastructure. Scooters are parked on top, and the ride connecting the two countries - where this urban agglomeration is the third largest in Africa - becomes a space for possible connection, stronger than the standard public transport environment.