OUR MISSION
THE IDEA
Our goal is to learn from the past to tackle the urgent social and environmental challenges in Stone Town. Most buildings are made from coral rag stone, a of ancient coral, with ceilings supported by mangrove beams layered with coral rag, reflecting the area's natural environment.
However, past political upheaval, loss of knowledge, lack of funds, and the effects of climate change and tourism have led to the neglect of the buildings in Stone Town, bringing them to the point of destruction. The project has multiple facets: from the dilemma of the technical resilience of the building material in the face of climate change to the local social identification with the built heritage and its role in empowering society.
How can we learn from Stone Town's built cultural heritage and find diverse but holistic solutions for the future?
DISSEMINATE
FROM STONETOWN TO BREMEN
Each year, a group of students from Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Ardhi University, and the Karume Institute of Science and Technology meet in Stone Town to work together on the documentation of built heritage. Through joint workshops, they disseminate knowledge, measure buildings, and create detailed documentation of historic structures. This collaborative fieldwork strengthens intercultural exchange while contributing to urgently needed data on Stone Town’s architectural heritage.
At an international level, the collaboration supports sustained academic exchange and intercultural learning. Joint fieldwork and teaching activities enable students to develop professional networks and long-term collaborative relationships, strengthening institutional partnerships and promoting knowledge transfer across geographical and disciplinary boundaries.
PARTNERS
The CO3 project depends on collaboration. Promoting the exchange of knowledge, skills, and cultural understanding is key to the future success of the project. We are currently collaborating with students and staff from Ardhi University and the Karume Institute of Science and Technology on workshops, documentation, and curriculum development. We are liaising with diverse local experts to understand both the past and current context. We also work with other institutions and individuals committed to the positive future of Stone Town's heritage.
This initiative would not be possible without the generous support of our partners and sponsors.
