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PROJECT

Action zone, a World heritage Site

Completed Forodhani Park New battery in Forodhani Park

forecourt is not only to the Omani Arab vendors and issues of practical, day to day Phase 1: A New Plan
Fort, but also to the House of Wonders, a necessity. The objective was to promote The intention was part restoration,
Venetian style orphanage and the Sultan’s a sustainable public /private partnership part rehabilitation, part invention, a
Palace, all linked to the main seafront of as a model for the ongoing financing and multi-functional park, promenade and
Mzingani Road. management of the park. thoroughfare. All that within tight world
The historic seafront, the interface of heritage constraints.
the city and sea, had become a vibrant Analysis and synthesis The pattern of the park, the layout and
commercial and recreational waterfront. Forodhani Park is a place of landmarks, proportion of lawn, paving and planting
Tourists wandered along dangerously but also one of leisure. A tropical climate were derived from the main cross-axes
driven roads and the locals continued to demands breezy beaches and waving of fountain, bandstand and pier, the
risk a walk around the degraded park. The coconut palms where cool lawns, a resting original 1935/36 configuration. Detailing
popular and well-known night food market place and sea views plied by dhows are the was designed robustly, in an understated
had destroyed the park by sheer attrition rewards of a passing day. vernacular style. Even the paving has
and footfall. The aging seawall itself had Since the 1930’s, it was always a relatively an exposed coral aggregate finish, a
become porous and had collapsed in parts, simple park with shady, spreading trees, reminder of weathered masonry surfaces
with the park behind being endangered by specimen flowering shrubs, broad green seen everywhere in Stone Town. The old
sinkholes and the infiltration of sea water. lawns and neat pathways. Good horticulture seawall was the dominant feature; massive
Other areas were simply eroded or flooded added to the tropical growth rates, but it was and linear, it literally made the park and
due to the heavy tropical rains. originally a reclaimed landfill with only a thin resonated with the curtain wall of the Old
The area chosen for restoration is the skin of topsoil, so it remained vulnerable. Fort. Reconstituted coral stone blocks,
‘front garden’ of Stone Town and accessible The park suffered from salt infiltration hand worked, gave the rebuilt sections
to all. Even in decline it was a refuge from from waves and sea spray overtopping appropriate dignity and provided jobs.
the clamour of lanes and a place where the sea wall, compaction from over-use, Mature trees in the park were rejuvenated
locals and tourists mingled easily. The and consequently lost lawns. Soil erosion for shade, shelter and integrated into
design recognised the historical character followed and the surface levels dropped by the layout. Many new specimens were
and artefacts of the derelict park, intrinsic to between 150 and 300 millimetres, exposing planted to restore the green structure,
Stone Town’s own story. the coral fill and the surface roots of the colour and ambience of a private garden,
magnificent Albizia lebbeck, four sentinels but for an authentic public experience.
Seafront action area which dominate most photographs of the Plant species selected reflect the ethno-
For the implementation of the project, AKTC park. botany of Zanzibar, and flowering trees and
appointed a team of Cape Town based The solution lay in a twofold strategy shrubs were high on the list of community
professionals: landscape architect, coastal of physical recovery and ongoing expectations, expressed clearly through
engineer, civil and electrical engineers, management. This planning and the nostalgic memories of the public when
supported by a quantity surveyor in Dar es consultative process started with a social consulted. Ylang Ylang, an unforgettable
Salaam. The project design was undertaken needs and desire study, followed by perfume tree, was a favourite. The park’s
with the co-operation and approval of local negotiation with food vendors, fisherman, planning respects its heritage, its present
authorities and international bodies such as officials and the public. Forodhani was not and its future. It is a versatile, vital urban
UNESCO. only a once important open space and space but remains an essential part of the
The project closely followed the urban a tourist “must see”, but remained a vital pattern of Stone Town and its relationship
design strategy of the original report, but seafront thoroughfare for citizens as a route with the sea.
also addressed the integration of local to the port and ferry terminals. A positive spin was also put on the

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