Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

The restoration of Forodhani Park in Zanzibar's historic stone town has been completed, thanks to a $2.4 million (over Sh3 billion) funding by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)).
The popular outing place, one of the attractive features in the Isles will be inaugurated later this month.

The restoration project has transformed the historic park - one of the last open spaces in the densely populated world heritage site - and upgraded its social and recreational amenities.

Works carried out include the restoration of walk ways, landscape, infrastructure upgrading incorporating lighting, sewerage drainage and civic amenities and the rehabilitation of the seawall fronting the park.

Once a location for the main port and landing point for the sultans of Zanzibar, the park has over the years remained a central meeting place for leisure and entertainment.

The AKTC yesterday said over the last decade the park deteriorated due to over-use, prompting the restoration as part of a seafront upscaling in the stone town.

The agreement for the project was signed between President Amani Abeid Karume and His Highness the Aga Khan.

Also proposed, as part of the sea front up scaling is an Indian Ocean maritime museum that will showcase culture including displays of naval vessels, artifacts reflecting the historic, commercial and cultural contacts between Africa, Middle East and India.

The trust has also worked with the Government of Sweden and the Ford foundation to provide training workshops on conservation and traditional construction methods for architects.

The trust has been active in Zanzibar since 1989 and has successfully completed restoring eleven buildings in the stone town.

The AKTC is a part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which over the last 20 years has championed efforts to integrate culture in the broader economic and social programmes.

Eleven buildings in Stone Town – many of them on the point of collapse – were restored as part of a programme to show the building and restoration techniques needed to preserve this World Heritage Site. The Trust has also worked with the Government and international partners – such as the Government of Sweden and the Ford Foundation – to provide training workshops on conservation practice and traditional construction methods for craftsmen, building professionals and Government officers. The creation of an Indian Ocean Maritime Museum is also proposed. The Museum will showcase the maritime cultures of the Indian Ocean, including the display of naval vessels and other artefacts that illustrate the history of the commercial and cultural contacts between Africa, the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent.

(as per AKDN)

The Old Dispensary after the AKTC restored the building to demonstrate techniques for restoration in this World Heritage Site. The Trust has restored 11 buildings in Stone Town.
AKDN

The restoration of Forodhani Park is intended to be part of a larger seafront rehabilitation programme, encompassing: construction of the seawall; underground infrastructure including water, storm and sewer lines; and, the creation of a pedestrian promenade, including planting, street lighting and street furniture along the sea side.