LESSONS FROM THE ZANZIBAR
STONE TOWN HERITAGE
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Presentation by Prof. Saad S. Yahya to the INTO Conference
Entebbe Sept. 30 – Oct. 4 2013
1
WHS LISTING IN 2000 BY UNESCO
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.
1.
Site and Buffer Zone Area
2
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
3
PARTICIPATORY AND INCLUSIVE
APPROACH
o Consultative meetings were
held in all neighbourhoods
o Keen interest shown by
residents
o Women were
more vocal
generally
4
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
5
DEALING WITH CHANGE
Changes in the built heritage
o Sustainable environment and service delivery
o Economic and market pressures
o Socio-cultural
transformations
+
demographics
o
6
CHANGES IN THE BUILT HERITAGE
o
o
o
o
Development trends rapidly changing, with the patterns varying
among neighbourhoods.
Conservation is often seen as a negative concept, a burden on
owners and an obstruction to change and growth.
Disused or damaged buildings, structures and sites deteriorate
faster than those in use. Some buildings within Stone Town under
threat
Historic buildings and archaeological structures are vulnerable to
inappropriate use and maintenance.
The sea front is the face of Stone Town.
Fig. 4: RE NT CHARG E D BY P UBLIC AND P RIV ATE
LANDLO RDS
T yp e o f o ccu p an cy
o
W ak f
governm ent
private
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
A ve ra g e re n t p e r ro o m p e r m o n th (T sh s)
Development or destruction?
Poor provision of vital
services
Acomlex housing market
7
The Stone Town Seafront.
Privatization of the beach front should not be allowed.
Area is used by the local community for evening sports
and work outs
Temporary 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 wall of the sea front is
deteriorating
Environmental pollution as a
result of the dumping of
sewage and solid waste
 Potential of open space for
rehabilitation.
Lack of security
Location of palace museum, house of
wonder, the old fort, the forodhani
gardens and the orphanage-great tourist
attractions
There are abandoned/neglected
government buildings that need
upgrading
Side parking of vehicles along the
beach front, compromises aesthetics
The banyani tree, a historic tree, needs
to be protected.
Docking facilities are inadequate
Environmental pollution
The fish market is uncontrolled and
dirty.
The buildings are neglected ,
abandoned and are in a
deteriorating state-Kiwanda cha
Madawa, tumekuja school
Potential of upgrading of open
space in front of the Egypt
embassy
8
TRAFFIC FLOW ON MALAWI ROAD AND CREEK ROAD JUNCTION
T r a ffic o u t
Traffic into Stone Town.
Traffic from Stone Town
Public Serv ic e v ehic les
Heav y v ehic les
Light V ehic les
T r a ffic in
Public Serv ic e v ehic les
Heav y v ehic les
Light V ehic les
0
TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG KENYATTA
ROAD
500
1000 1500 2000
Number of v ehic les
2500
3000
Large amount of traffic especially
early morning from the port This
section also handles most of the heavy
load vehicles.
TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH MKUNAZINI
JUNCTION
Traffic towards Stone Town inner section
Traffic into Stone Town.
Traffic from Stone Town inner section
T r a ffic o u t
Heav y v ehic les
Light V ehic les
T r a ffic
to w a r d s
Public Serv ic e v ehic les
Heav y v ehic les
Light V ehic les
0
500
1000
1500
Number of v ehic les
2000
In the early morning a majority of the
traffic going into Stone Town are small
vehicles. From the Town are large school
buses
Many taxis use this route due to the
location of prime hotels in this section of the
Town.
The increased traffic creates traffic
congestion
T r a ffic in
T r a ffic fr o m
Traffic from Stone Town
Public Serv ic e v ehic les
Public Service vehicles
Heavy vehicles
Light V ehicles
Public Service vehicles
Heavy vehicles
Light V ehicles
0
500
1000
1500
Number of vehicles
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
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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THE VISION
A Stone Town where:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
The historic environment is enjoyed by all sections of the
community
People can add value through appropriate economic and
physical changes
Individuals’ contributions can add to the town’s unique
value, and they can complement official efforts
Citizens live and work in a prosperous, secure and
peaceful atmosphere under the rule of law
Adequate housing, health, education is available for all
without discrimination
Visitors are provided with reliable information, safety and
world-class facilities
Access to all parts of the town is easy, including adequate
provision for those with reduced mobility.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
These are known as Objectives and can be classified as:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Site definition and appreciation
Protecting the built environment
Visitor management
Service delivery and infrastructure
The public realm
Safe and inclusive environments
Improved circulation
Local action areas + open space upgrades
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DEFINITION AND APPRECIATION:
o
o
o
o
o
Site boundaries should be
revisited.
Strategy for the buffer zone
prepared.
Safeguard historic landmarks by
controlling new developments.
Increase
knowledge
and
appreciation via exhibition and
sale of Zanzibari artefacts;
promote traditional art forms.
Showcasing Zanzibar culture in
national festivals.
Mid-morning market activity
12
PROTECTING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
There are twelve different objectives aimed at:
o Raising the quality of repair and rehabilitation work,
o Enforcing the Conservation Guidelines,
o Protecting architectural details
o Revisiting the inventory of listed buildings.
o A list of endangered buildings is needed.
o
Suitable funding proposals have been made.
13
VISITOR MANAGEMENT:
An important objective is to:
o Contain the bottom end of tourism market
o Focus on improved facilities in the context of an integrative
visitor management programme.
o Promoting the WHS status in tourism marketing
14
SERVICES DELIVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE:
o
o
o
o
Water shortages should be a priority, since proliferation of
private wells, pumps and distribution networks is taking a
toll on the urban fabric.
Steps taken towards the installation of a sewerage scheme,
with better septic tank management.
Waste separation and recycling should be encouraged.
Objectives relating to education and health have also been
proposed.
15
THE PUBLIC REALM:
o
o
o
o
Improving access to and enjoyment of streets, gardens, open
spaces and beaches.
Public conveniences have to be reinstated and safety
improved.
Control overhead wires/cables/pipes
Advertisements and bill-boards yield income to the
municipality but are generally visually intrusive and
unattractive.
16
SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS:
o
o
Women’s and children’s rights to a healthy and safe
environment need to be safeguarded,
Free movement and access to public buildings for the aged
and disabled ought to be considered.
17
CIRCULATION:
Proposals regarding traffic management include:
o Exclusion of large commercial vehicles from inner streets,
o Mkokoteni rules
o A congestion charge
o Improved parking
18
LOCAL ACTION AREAS
FUNGUNI
Sea front
DAWA Factory
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OPEN SPACES UPGRADE
Malindi
Caravanserai
Kiponda Sec
School
High Court
Gardens
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CURRENT MANAGEMENT
o
Ownership and Interests
Planning and policy framework
Statutory designations
o
Management and responsibility
o
o
:
 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
21
22
ABOUT ZSTHS
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IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Implementation plan
Institutions
Finance
Capacity
Timetable
Monitoring
Research
Legislative review
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