Redevelopment of Mkunguni Square, Old town Lamu

Old town Lamu has survived into the twentieth century due to several fortunate circumstances, the remoteness of the area and the absence of roads and vehicles on the island have prevented many irreversible changes associated with modernization. At the same time, Lamu’s position as a regional center and its active seaport have ensured the continued economic well-being of the town. Lamu has thus been spared the fate of so many other historical towns around the world which have either been transformed by uncontrolled development or abandoned as a result of economic decline. However, a combination of limited resources and rapid population growth is putting enormous pressure on the Old town, its buildings, and its infrastructure. Moreover, changing standards of living are leading residents to radically alter the old buildings and imported methods and materials are being used to build new buildings that are well suited to the local conditions.There is little doubt that if allowed to continue unchecked, these pressures and changes will undermine and eventually destroy the historical structure and character of the Old town. Both Lamu’s natural and man-made resources will need to be carefully planned in the future if the town is to remain a liveable urban center and a cultural asset for all of Kenya. The only means of achieving this objective is with a policy of conservation that fosters careful management of resources and promotes balanced growth and development. The policy will help the Swahili community to preserve its precious assets and urban space. This project is therefore meant to serve as a prototype of how the urban space in Lamu should be planned and designed. In general the project advocates for designers to maintain the identity and integrity of their site's context.