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LESSONS FROM THE ZANZIBAR STONE TOWN

HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Presentation by Prof. Saad S. Yahya to the INTO Conference Presentation by Prof. Saad S. Yahya to the INTO Conference Entebbe Sept. 30 – Oct. 4 2013Entebbe Sept. 30 – Oct. 4 2013

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Site and Buffer Zone Area

WHS LISTING IN 2000 BY UNESCO

1. The Stone Town of Zanzibar is an outstanding manifestation of cultural fusion and harmonization

2. For many centuries there was intense seaborne trading activity between Asia and Africa, and this is illustrated in an exceptional manner by the architecture and urban structure of the Stone Town.

3. Zanzibar has great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery, since it was one of the main slave-trading ports in East Africa and also the base from which its opponents such as David Livingstone conducted their campaign.

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WHY A HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN?

Land market pressures propel built environment changes and diminish public open spaces. Plan was commissioned by Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority

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PARTICIPATORY AND INCLUSIVE APPROACH

o Consultative meetings were held in all neighbourhoods

o Keen interest shown by residents

o Women were generally more vocal

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KEY ISSUES AND CONCERNS“too difficult to repair and too old to accommodate modern uses”

o Current pressures on the site’s Outstanding Values and Significance

o Pressures on the Architectural Significance: The care and protection of the Historic Fabric

o Listed buildings, review of lists and criteria of inclusion

o Pressures on the Tourism Value and the Educational Value

o Traffic issues

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DEALING WITH CHANGE

o Changes in the built heritage o Sustainable environment and service

deliveryo Economic and market pressureso Socio-cultural transformations +

demographics

CHANGES IN THE BUILT HERITAGEo Development trends rapidly changing, with the patterns

varying among neighbourhoods. o Conservation is often seen as a negative concept, a burden

on owners and an obstruction to change and growth. o Disused or damaged buildings, structures and sites

deteriorate faster than those in use. Some buildings within Stone Town under threat

o Historic buildings and archaeological structures are vulnerable to inappropriate use and maintenance.

o The sea front is the face of Stone Town.

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Poor provision of vital services

Acomlex housing market Development or destruction?

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Fig. 4: RENT CHARGED BY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDLORDS

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The wall of the sea front is deterioratingEnvironmental pollution as a result of the dumping of sewage and solid waste Potential of open space for rehabilitation. Lack of security

The buildings are neglected , abandoned and are in a deteriorating state-Kiwanda cha Madawa, tumekuja schoolPotential of upgrading of open space in front of the Egypt embassy

Location of palace museum, house of wonder, the old fort, the forodhani gardens and the orphanage-great tourist attractionsThere are abandoned/neglected government buildings that need upgradingSide parking of vehicles along the beach front, compromises aesthetics The banyani tree, a historic tree, needs to be protected.

Docking facilities are inadequateEnvironmental pollution The fish market is uncontrolled and dirty.

Privatization of the beach front should not be allowed. Area is used by the local community for evening sports and work outsTemporary docking of cargo boats due to lack of space at the port. This creates congestion and compromises aesthetics.The boat activities need to be controlled, and environmental protection ensured.

The Stone Town Seafront.

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TRAFFIC FLOW ON MALAWI ROAD AND CREEK ROAD JUNCTION

Large amount of traffic especially early morning from the port This section also handles most of the heavy load vehicles.

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Traffic from Stone Town

TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH MKUNAZINI JUNCTION

Large influx of population at morning hours into the Town and large exodus in the evenings, by PSV. This is a major entry point for entrance into the town

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Traffic towards Stone Town inner section

Traffic from Stone Town inner section

TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG KENYATTA ROAD

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In the early morning a majority of the traffic going into Stone Town are small vehicles. From the Town are large school busesMany taxis use this route due to the location of prime hotels in this section of the Town. The increased traffic creates traffic congestion

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THE VISIONA Stone Town where:o The historic environment is enjoyed by all

sections of the communityo People can add value through appropriate

economic and physical changeso Individuals’ contributions can add to the

town’s unique value, and they can complement official efforts

o Citizens live and work in a prosperous, secure and peaceful atmosphere under the rule of law

o Adequate housing, health, education is available for all without discrimination

o Visitors are provided with reliable information, safety and world-class facilities

o Access to all parts of the town is easy, including adequate provision for those with reduced mobility.

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RECOMMENDATIONSThese are known as Objectives and can be classified as:These are known as Objectives and can be classified as:

o Site definition and appreciationo Protecting the built environmento Visitor managemento Service delivery and infrastructureo The public realmo Safe and inclusive environmentso Improved circulationo Local action areas + open space upgrades

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DEFINITION AND APPRECIATION:o Site boundaries should be

revisited.o Strategy for the buffer zone

prepared.o Safeguard historic

landmarks by controlling new developments.

o Increase knowledge and appreciation via exhibition and sale of Zanzibari artefacts; promote traditional art forms.

o Showcasing Zanzibar culture in national festivals.

Mid-morning market activity

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PROTECTING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENTThere are twelve different objectives aimed at:o Raising the quality of repair and rehabilitation

work, o Enforcing the Conservation Guidelines, o Protecting architectural detailso Revisiting the inventory of listed buildings. o A list of endangered buildings is needed.o Suitable funding proposals have been made.

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VISITOR MANAGEMENT:An important objective is to:o Contain the bottom end of tourism marketo Focus on improved facilities in the context of an

integrative visitor management programme. o Promoting the WHS status in tourism marketing

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SERVICES DELIVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE:

o Water shortages should be a priority, since proliferation of private wells, pumps and distribution networks is taking a toll on the urban fabric.

o Steps taken towards the installation of a sewerage scheme, with better septic tank management.

o Waste separation and recycling should be encouraged.

o Objectives relating to education and health have also been proposed.

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THE PUBLIC REALM:o Improving access to and enjoyment of streets,

gardens, open spaces and beaches. o Public conveniences have to be reinstated and

safety improved. o Control overhead wires/cables/pipeso Advertisements and bill-boards yield income to

the municipality but are generally visually intrusive and unattractive.

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SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS:o Women’s and children’s rights to a healthy and

safe environment need to be safeguarded, o Free movement and access to public buildings

for the aged and disabled ought to be considered.

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CIRCULATION:

Proposals regarding traffic management include:o Exclusion of large commercial vehicles from

inner streets,o Mkokoteni rules o A congestion chargeo Improved parking

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LOCAL ACTION AREAS

FUNGUNI

DAWA Factory

Sea front

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OPEN SPACES UPGRADE

High Court Gardens

Malindi Caravanserai

Kiponda Sec School

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CURRENT MANAGEMENT o Ownership and Interestso Planning and policy frameworko Statutory designations

o Management and responsibility : The Ministry of Construction, Lands,

Water and Energy Stone Town Conservation and

Development Authority The Department of Antiquities and

Monuments Zanzibar Municipal Council Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society Shehas The State University Residents and business interests

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ABOUT ZSTHS

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IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

o Implementation plano Institutionso Financeo Capacityo Timetableo Monitoringo Researcho Legislative review