RESEARCH & ACTION FOR THE AFRICAN BUILT ENVIRONMENT Short About African Architecture Matters is a not-for-profit consultancy working with the African built environment in the fields of heritage, planning, research and education. ​ We are particularly concerned with the question of how to manage and develop the dynamically changing built environment with respect to the community, culture and history. By collaborating with people and organisations from various disciplines we explore and develop multidisciplinary strategies and interventions that respond to that question. read more projects team network Feat. News Featuring News AAM in the book “A Manifesto for Community Driven Processes for Climate Responsive Design” On Wednesday April 12, the Dutch premiere of Tug of War (Vuta N’Kuvute) in Kriterion Amsterdam It happens here! - podcast series available online AAmatters Library The long anticipated Ng’ambo Atlas is finally out! Recent news Reimagining Future African Cities at the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam Search By CAtegories Publication (9) 9 posts Research (6) 6 posts Event (23) 23 posts Exhibition (11) 11 posts Presentation (17) 17 posts Education (4) 4 posts Consultancy (1) 1 post Community (5) 5 posts Workshop (6) 6 posts Urban planning (6) 6 posts Search By Tags Book Climate responsive design collaboration festival film forum heritage Manifesto online workshop participation participatory design playgrounds podcast Publication rise africa roleplay rwanda Rwanda sustainable urban future talks tanzania Uganda urban urbanism zanzibar Feat. Projects Featuring projects Ng’ambo Atlas After the completion of the Ng’ambo Tuitakayo project, the collected material during the mapping phase appeared so rich, that together BLUEPRINT FOR MAJESTIC CINEMA CULTURE HUB The history of cinema in Zanzibar goes back to the early 20th century. In its heydays the island was home to three permanent movie theatres Uganda Museum ‘Keeping It Modern’ AAmatters forms part of the project team of the Uganda Museum ‘Keeping It Modern’ project aiming at developing a conservation

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Bayimba Cultural Centre CategorY Research , Consultancy ​ Period 2012 - 2014 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers ​ Partners /Collaborators Bayimba Cultural Foundation (Faisal Kiwewa) DOEN Foundation Amsterdam (client) ​ tags #urban #culture #architecture #research #consultancy Assessment of a proposed project for a cultural centre on Lubiri, one of the royal hills of Kampala, with a rich and also tragic history. ​ The Bayimba Cultural Centre is a combined music-dance-performing arts initiative, already active for a number of years in Kampala and beyond. Relevant projects Pro Credit Ghana back to the projects overview

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Fanjove Lighthouse CategorY Research , Consultancy ​ Period 2013 - 2017 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers Belinda van Buiten Matteo Comminetti Alexandra Papadaki ​ Partners /Collaborators Essential Destinations (Malcolm Ryen and Micol Farina, research and supervision) Nicola Colangelo (financial support) ​ Relevant links Essential Destinations ​ tags #built heritage #research #restoration Relevant projects Hifadhi Zanzibar Fanjove Lighthouse is situated on Fanjove, the outermost island of the Mafia Archipelago, on the southern shores of Tanzania. The lighthouse was built in 1893 by the German colonial authorities, but abandoned at Independence in 1961. Subsequent decay and vandalization led to the building to become seriously endangered in 2013. A quick research was carried out in 2013 and some funds were made available in 2016-2017 to carry out the most urgent conservation works. back to the projects overview

ivan thung During those months I felt like we planted a seed somewhere between the Michenzani Blocks. It makes me feel really excited to see that the seed seems to start growing into a plant! a Steven Zijlstra (28), holding a Master’s degree (ir./MSc.) in Real Estate and Housing from the Delft University of Technology. After my graduation in 2015 I had the chance to work on the housing research at AA Matters. Since June 2015, I work at Diepenhorst de Vos and Partners in The Hague as a project manager / (delegated) project developer. My main focus lies on the redevelopment of shopping center Colmschate, Deventer (Holland). I am passionate about redevelopment projects in a complex context, to improve that context while representing the desires of the client. My field of expertise is project (re)development, project management and real estate finance. projects involved Housing Strategies in a Historic Urban Landscape I researched the housing strategies and did a feasibility study to densify the Neighbourhood of Ng’ambo while respecting its tangible and intangible heritage, which eventually resulted in the Ng’ambo Housing Action Plan. I really enjoyed my time in Zanzibar and Tanzania. Great and dedicated people, good fun. During those months I felt like we planted a seed somewhere between the Michenzani Blocks. It makes me feel really excited to see that the seed seems to start growing into a plant! Another moment I can remember and cherish was the signing session of the shareholder meeting of Hifadhi Zanzibar. A big moment and such a good initiative for Zanzibar City. back to the team overview

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Maputopia CategorY Education , Exhibition ​ Period 2010 - 2012 ​ AAmatters team Belinda van Buiten Antoni Folkers Rachel Jenkins ​ Partners /Collaborators Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Eduardo Mondlane University – Maputo Department of Architecture, University of Pretoria Faculty of Architecture, TU Delft Royal Embassy of the Kindom of the Netherlands - Maputo ​ Relevant links Maputopia blog Maputopia facebook page ​ ​ tags #heritage #past #present #future #urban planning #architecture #art #cityscapes Maputo is close to being an architectural and urban utopia. Maputo as Utopia. MAPUTOPIA celebrates Maputo’s wonderful architectural qualities through a mapping exercise of its past, present and its possible future: another 125 years of architectural pride. Maputo, and in particular the ‘Baixa’, is currently subject to many changes, mostly due to booming economic development which challenge the built heritage of the city. This rapid development provokes a reaction to protect these buildings and urban landscape. Students and tutors of the Architecture Schools of Maputo, Pretoria (South Africa) and Delft (The Netherlands) have jointly researched and redesigned parts of the ‘Baixa de Maputo’. This pioneering international academic exchange was a true success: The individual projects submitted by the students are of high quality and the level of mutual learning has been tremendous. Dino and Humberto, Maputo born artists, have built numerous models of iconic and typical cityscapes and buildings of Maputo. Their models, carefully collected by the Dutch biologist Bernard Groosjohan, celebrate Maputo’s architecture of the past and the present. Relevant projects Stars of Dar Dak’art Workshop and Exhibition back to the projects overview

Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism - collective city - 2019 QR section Additional information and QR support 지명들 Ng’ambo 동네안 지명들은 그 지역 역사에 대한 많은 상세정보를 알려주고 있습니다. 대부분의 이름들은 수백년에 걸쳐서 이 지역주민들에 의해서 계속적으로 사용되어 온 역사적 이름들입니다. 이 지명들은Ng’ambo 주민들의 사고와 생활 및 관습들에 대한 단서들을 제공하고, 주민들의 집단기억의 중요한 요소들 입니다. 그 지역에서 생긴 지명의 근원들은 매우 다양하지만, 수많은 스와힐리 타도시들이 식민지 통치에 영향을 입었던 것과 달리, 그들은 자신들의 원주민 뿌리를 유지해 왔습니다. Ng’ambo의 대부분 지명들은 주변의 일상 및 관습세계로부터 나온 명칭으로서, 주민들에 의해서 명명되었습니다: 나무이름, 활동들, 토지소유자, 유명인사들, 혹은 자연 현상들. 이 지명들에 대한 뒷이야기들이 많이 알려져 있기도 하지만, 그 지명의 근원에 대해서 알려져 있지 않거나, 혹은 그 추측이 다양하거나 , 때로는 서로 상반되는 이야기로 알려져 있는 경우들도 있습니다. Ng’ambo 의 여러 지명들에 얽혀 있는 역사에 대해서 좀 더 알고 싶으시면 XX 선을 따라 가십시오. Ng’ambo Treasure Box LEGEND: PLACE-NAMES Place names in Ng’ambo’s neighbourhoods reveal many details of area’s history. The majority of names are historical names which have been in constant use by the community for over a hundred years. They provide clues to the thoughts, lives and customs of Ng’ambo’s residents and are important elements of people’s collective memory. The origins of names occurring in the area are various, but unlike many other Swahili cities subjected to colonial rule, they have maintained their indigenous roots. Most of the place names in Ng’ambo are given by people based on the everyday, customary world around them: trees, activities, land-ownership, well-known personalities, or natural features. Many of the stories behind the names are still known by the people, but there are also names whose roots are unknown, or which elicit varied, sometimes conflicting stories. Follow the XX line to find out more about the history behind some names in Ng’ambo.

Steven Zijlstra During those months I felt like we planted a seed somewhere between the Michenzani Blocks. It makes me feel really excited to see that the seed seems to start growing into a plant! real estate/ project manager/ researcher Steven Zijlstra (1989) holds a Master’s degree (ir./MSc.) in Real Estate and Housing from the Delft University of Technology. After his graduation in 2015 he worked on housing research in Zanzibar for AAmatters. ​ Since June 2015, he works at Diepenhorst de Vos and Partners in The Hague as a project manager / (delegated) project developer. His main focus lies on the redevelopment of shopping center Colmschate, Deventer (Holland). He is passionate about redevelopment projects in a complex context, to improve that context while representing the desires of the client. His field of expertise is project (re)development, project management and real estate finance. projects involved Ng’ambo Housing Research ​ 'I researched the housing strategies and did a feasibility study to densify the Neighbourhood of Ng’ambo while respecting its tangible and intangible heritage, which eventually resulted in the Ng’ambo Housing Action Plan. I really enjoyed my time in Zanzibar and Tanzania. Great and dedicated people, good fun. During those months I felt like we planted a seed somewhere between the Michenzani Blocks. It makes me feel really excited to see that the seed seems to start growing into a plant! ​ Another moment I can remember and cherish was the signing session of the shareholder meeting of Hifadhi Zanzibar. A big moment and such a good initiative for Zanzibar City.' back to the team overview

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Finding Stories CategorY Event ​ Period 2015 - 2016 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers Marie Morel Berend van der Lans Iga Perzyna ​ Partners /Collaborators Department of Urban and Rural Planning Zanzibar Municipality of Amsterdam Stadsherstel Amsterdam ​ Relevant links Leiden Anthropology blog article ​ tags #urban planning #intangible heritage #placemaking #culture Relevant projects Ng'ambo Tuitakayo Ng'ambo Atlas Ng’ambo Housing Research It seems obvious that culture and immaterial heritage are important components for regeneration plans in cities. However, it remains a challenge to find the often hidden stories representing the culture of the existing communities and to then incorporate them in planning and design. The Municipality of Amsterdam and the Government of Zanzibar – both managing UNESCO World Heritage Sites - were working on the development of strategies for heritage-based urban regeneration in Zanzibar. This developed from a particular interest from Zanzibar in the collaboration between the private and public sector in Amsterdam when it comes to using heritage as driver for development. Within this collaboration the focus was on the heritage based regeneration of Ng’ambo, a less known area just outside of the world famous Stone Town, but equally interesting in historic sense. Next to mapping of the tangible component, it was essential to uncover the cultural and socio-economic framework in the area. This integral approach is the key principle of the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape approach, for which Ng’ambo is an important pilot project in East Africa. The mapping of the intangible heritage of the area – based upon intensive community involvement - was about to start after the symposium. This was the reason to organise the symposium Finding Stories as part of a workshop with colleagues from Zanzibar and Amsterdam. The symposium included project introductions by Aart Oxenaar (Director Department Monuments and Archaeology City of Amsterdam), Muhammad Juma (Director Department for Urban and Rural Planning Zanzibar) and Antoni Folkers (African Architecture Matters), followed by key note lectures on the relation between tangible and intangible heritage (Dr. Gabri van Tussenbroek, City of Amsterdam) and the relevance of the UNESCO Historic Urban Landscape Approach ( Karim Hendili, UNESCO). Additionally, cases from Casablanca (by Abderrahim Kassou), Benin, Chad and Morocco (by Franck Houndegla) and Mozambique (by Silje Elroy Sollien) were presented, followed by a panel discussion on tools and techniques for involving intangible heritage in urban planning and the relevance of this for the urban climate. The symposium was closed off with sessions that were specifically focused on tools and techniques for Finding Stories in Ng’ambo and the translation of Stories in Urban Planning and Design for Ng’ambo. The outcomes of the symposium were instrumental for the research that was executed in Ng’ambo in March – May 2016 and formed a basis for the Local Area Plan that is now adopted by the Government of Zanzibar for the redevelopment of the area. ​ Document available for download in the AAmatters online Library . back to the projects overview

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Hifadhi Zanzibar CategorY Consultancy ​ Period 2012 - current ​ AAmatters team Berend van der Lans Aurora Kazi Bassett ​ Partners /Collaborators Hifadhi Zanzibar Government of Zanzibar Stadsherstel Amsterdam NV Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands RVO ​ Relevant links Hifadhi Zanzibar facebook page Hifadhi Zanzibar twitter Hifadhi Zanzibar linkedin ​ tags #heritage management #real estate #shareholders #private sector Hifadhi Zanzibar is a company that acquires, restores, rents out and manages monumental property in Zanzibar in a sustainable way. The shareholders – all from the local private sector in Zanzibar – receive a modest dividend while the majority of the profits will be used to reinvest in new property. Hifadhi aims to have an ever-increasing impact on the state of Zanzibar’s built heritage and Stone Town in particular. The built heritage of Zanzibar is of exceptional universal value, making it attractive as tourism destination. Tourism is Zanzibar’s most important driver for economic development, hence crucial for the future of Zanzibar. Hifadhi Zanzibar is based upon the same principles as Stadsherstel Amsterdam, the monumental real estate management company that operates in Amsterdam since 1956. In over 60 years, they have extended their property to around 450 buildings in the city centre and close to 600 in total. Their operations had a major impact on the regeneration of Amsterdam as a modern and up to date city that is well rooted into its rich history. Since 2012, a team of local investors has been preparing the start of Hifadhi Zanzibar. The private sector formed a coalition with government-related organisations like Stone Town Conservation and Development Authority, the Department of Urban and Rural Planning and with the Zanzibar Chamber of Commerce to prepare the first steps. In 2015 the company was formed and registered. Hifadhi has now acquired its first buildings and prepares the building works. The Board of Directors of Hifadhi Zanzibar is formed by Nassor El-Mahruki, Masoud Salim and Tonino Garau, while the daily management has been provided by Maryam Mansab, Aurora Kazi Bassett and currently by Klaartje Schade and Andrew Anthony. Stadsherstel Amsterdam and in particular Paul Morel is supporting Hifadhi Zanzibar with advice, while African Architecture Matters assists the company on a daily basis, at times on site. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has provided support to make this possible. Relevant projects Ng’ambo Tuitakayo Learning from Casablanca Accra Revisited back to the projects overview

North East Unguja Special Area Plan CategorY Urban and rural planning , Consultancy ​ Period 2017 ​ AAmatters team Antoni Folkers Alexandra Papadaki ​ Partners /Collaborators Department of Urban and Rural Planning (DoURP) Government of Zanzibar SYKE Finland (client) Turku University (Finland) SUZA University (Zanzibar) Other government departments ​ tags #urban planning #rural planning #visions #consultancy #guidelines Relevant projects Ng'ambo Tuitakayo Zanzibar Local Area Plans Consultancy to the Department of Urban and Rural Planning in Zanzibar for the production of a Special Area Plan for the Northeastern coastal strip and facing marine area on Unguja Island. It is the first time that marine and land planning are being combined in one policy and strategy document. ​ The plan encompasses some 40 kilometer coastal zone with substantial recent tourist development which has not been developed in conjunction with local social, cultural and natural values. The Special Area Plan envisages plan proposals, policies and strategies to reach an integrated spatial development for this fragile and beautiful landscape. back to the projects overview

African Architecture Matters Balistraat 92-hs 1094 JS AMSTERDAM the Netherlands phone: +31 (0)20 463 78 80 e-mail: office@aamatters.nl Name Email Subject Message Success! Message received. Send

Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism - collective city - 2019 QR section Additional information and QR support MAPEMBEANI PLAYGROUND Ng’ambo 에서 최초로 건축된 놀이터Mapembeani (‘커다란 그네에서’)는1947년 7월 대영제국 토지사무관 에릭 듀톤(Eric Dutton)에 의해서 시작된 당시 영국정부의 주택보급프로그램으로 계획된 Mwembetanga지역의 도시변환 중 그 일부분이었다. 이 놀이터에는 미끄럼틀, 손으로 돌리는 크고 작은 회전목마들, 그네와 시소같은 놀이기구들이 있었고, 이 지역 밖의 사람들까지도 즐겨 이용했다. 연세 높은 주민들에 의하면, 매일 아이들은 무리를 지어서 Ng’ambo 주변에서 놀 수 있는 새로운 곳들을 찾아 다녔고, 아주 오랫동안 Mapembeani는 제일 선호되는 놀이터였다.이 놀이터가 원주민 구역으로 알려진 곳 중심지에 위치해 있었던 관계로, 여기서 놀던 아이들은 주로 아프리카, 아랍, 코모로제도 혹은 인도 태생들이었다. 영국 태생과 인도 상류층의 아이들도 그곳에서 놀았는지는 알려져 있지 않다. 혹자는 이 놀이터가 원래 영국 공무원 자녀들을 위해서 만들어졌다고 한다. 여하튼, Mwembetanga에 사는 연세 높은 주민들의 이야기는 이 점에 있어서 분명하게 차이가 있다. 이와 비슷한 회전목마들이 Raha Leo 에도 만들어 졌고. 그리고 Kisiwandui 지역에 있던 놀이터는 the Cable and Wireless 전신회사 건물들 중 한 곳 가까이에 세워졌던 관계로 그 이름을 따서 흔히 무선(the Wireless)이라고 불렸다. Mwembetanga에 있던 놀이터는 부실 관리로 인해서 1968년 해체되었다. 감독없이 방치된 놀이장비가 많은 부상건수를 초래했다고 혹자는 주장한다. 이런 이유 때문인지, 병원 가까이에 위치했던Raha Leo 와 Wireless 놀이터는 좀 더 오래 운영되었다 (1970년까지). Raha Leo와 Kisiwandui 에 존재하던 놀이터들이 있었던 곳은 이제 빈 택지이고 그 자취를 알아 볼 수 없지만, Mwembetanga에 위치한 Mapembeani 놀이터는 개발되지 않은 채 남아 있어서 현재도 아이들이 축구를 하는 장소로 이용하고 있다. MAPEMBEANI PLAYGROUND Mapembeani (‘at the big swings’), the first playground ever built in Ng’ambo, was part of the British housing scheme – the planned urban transformation of Mwembetanga by the British land officer Eric Dutton started in July 1947. The playground included a slide, large and small hand-powered merry-go-rounds, swings and a seesaw, and attracted visitors even from outside the area. According to older inhabitants, groups of children used to wander around Ng’ambo in search of new places to play every day, and for a long time Mapembeani was one of their favourite destinations. Since the playground was located in the middle of an area that was at the time regarded as a native quarter, children there were predominantly of African, Arab, Comorian or Indian descent. It is not known whether children of British descent and of the Indian upper-classes played there as well. Some say that the playground was originally built for the children of British civil servants. However, the older inhabitants of Mwembetanga differ quite markedly on this matter in their stories. Similar merry-go-rounds were built at Raha Leo and in Kisiwandui close to one of the offices of the Cable and Wireless telegraph company, which lent its name to the playground commonly referred to as the Wireless. The playground in Mwembetanga was dismantled in 1968, due to lack of maintenance. Some claim that the unsupervised equipment resulted in a large number of injuries. This might also be the reason why the playgrounds at Raha Leo and Wireless – which were located nearby dispensaries – were maintained a little longer (until 1970). The empty plots left by the playgrounds in Raha Leo and Kisiwandui are no longer discernible, but that of Mapembeani in Mwembetanga remains undeveloped and is currently used by children for playing football.