EDF, 2013 - 2016
Annika Seifert, Prof. Dr. Philipp Misselwitz, Dr. Rachel Lee

DARCH! Dar es Salaam Centre for Architectural Heritage

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city and economic capital, is a future mega city in the making. The city is struggling with the effects of rapid urbanisation. In the context of weak regulatory frameworks, competing economic interest threatens the city's rich and sensitive social balance and cultural texture. DARCH! promotes a rediscovery of Dar es Salaam's constructed heritage as a potential catalyst for more inclusive and sensitive approaches to urban transformation. It demonstrates how 'heritage preservation' must not be misunderstood as merely a question of protection or facade reconstruction. Instead, 'heritage' should be understood as a living and constantly transforming asset and potential driver for economic, social, cultural and political innovation and reinvention.

The centre operates on three levels. First, it is a think tank, initiating and carrying out research and documentation, as well as planning and design work that focuses on feasible and context-specific strategies for heritage development. A particular emphasis is put on the consultation and direct involvement of local stakeholders, such as national and municipal public bodies, property owners and investors, but also religious communities and the general public. Second, DARCH! pursues an educational programme offering advanced trainings for professionals and students and fostering North-South and South-South academic exchanges and collaborations. Finally, public events and community outreach programmes involve the general public of Dar es Salaam.

Please find more information about the project on www.darchtz.org.

DARCH! is a joint initiative by the Habitat Unit and the Architects Association of Tanzania (AAT) in collaboration with the Department of Architecture at Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam. It is funded by the European Development Fund.

The project is funded by European Development Fund (EDF)