Stealth Demolitions in Dar es Salaam Historic Center

The historic center of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which was included on the 2014 World Monuments Watch, is increasingly threatened by unscrupulous and uncontrolled development.

The building known as “Light Corner” formed part of a coherent block of five historic structures from the period around 1900. All the buildings in the block were owned by the Tanzanian National Housing Corporation, which holds in trust a vast number of formerly private buildings nationalized in the 1970s.

On August 7, 2013, a pending court decision regarding a commercial development of the block was unexpectedly announced at 6 p.m., and notice to vacate their homes was given to tenants. The following two days were public holidays (Eid al Fitr). Many of the tenants were Muslims, travelling over the long weekend. On Saturday the entire block was demolished and looted, destroying many livelihoods.

Tenants had no chance to file legal objection. Many did not find out about the court order or demolition until their return on Sunday. Although the buildings formed a coherent block of historic structures, which is now rare in the city, they were not on the list of Dar es Salaam's legally protected buildings. This list currently comprises only 25 structures. In the recent past several formerly listed buildings have disappeared from the list.

The historic center of Dar es Salaam, with its rich heritage, is testimony to the city’s vibrant and multi-cultural past. The historic center still has a thriving street life, with open shop fronts, street-traders, and the daily bustle of life. All around the city is changing at a relentless pace, as old buildings give way to towering new high rises and roads become increasingly grid-locked. Tanzania is flourishing, but as it races to embrace prosperity, there is a real risk its heritage will be lost, and with it the capital’s identity and the nation’s history.

The Dar Centre for Architectural Heritage (DARCH!) is fighting to save the city’s endangered historic buildings by raising awareness in the community and among politicians of the value of this heritage, and agitating to ensure that existing legislation is strengthened and respected, and the city’s heritage is protected.