Heritage Cities Learning Together

What does it truly take for a historic city to protect its past while nurturing the heartbeat of its living culture?

This question lingered in the warm coastal air on 1–2 December 2025, as delegates from across Africa and the globe stepped onto the narrow streets of Lamu Old Town. The Regional Africa Meeting of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) was beginning, and for Lamu, hosting it felt like welcoming friends at home who would soon become family—for this is the undeniable charm of the island.

This gathering was made possible thanks to the newly founded Friends of Lamu Cultural Heritage (FLCH). Though young, the organization has already made a significant mark: helping secure Lamu’s inclusion on the World Monuments Watch List and its active participation in the New Urban Heritage Regeneration Accelerator. This recognition was more than an accolade—it was an opportunity to revive the Old Town’s essence, which had been fading away.

With a pilot conservation project, Lamu Hai, being developed in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund (WMF), FLCH, the National Museums of Kenya, and owners of historic homes, the program supports cities in leveraging cultural heritage for urban regeneration through training, financial strategies, and peer learning.

It is through this same initiative—with CHiFA’s financial support and the approval of Lamu County Governor H.E. Issa Timamy—that Lamu successfully renewed its OWHC membership. This timely renewal positioned the county to host this year’s regional gathering, bringing together heritage cities and organizations from across the continent for meaningful exchange and collaboration.

For many attendees, it was their first time in Lamu. Officials from Cidade Velha (Cape Verde), Harar (Ethiopia), Saint-Louis (Senegal), Timbuktu (Mali), Agadez (Niger), and Chinguetti (Mauritania) arrived at a bustling waterfront. They were joined by international partners such as the World Monuments Fund, Cultural Heritage Finance Alliance (CHiFA), UN-Habitat, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, and the OWHC. They were greeted by the sound of donkey hooves on coral-stone paths, the scent of spiced coffee, and centuries-old stone walls casting cool shadows along the narrow streets.

Friends of Lamu Cultural Heritage (FLCH), the Municipality of Lamu, and the Lamu County Government were present to welcome visitors.

The bustling, lived-in setting provided the perfect backdrop for conversations about heritage. Each city represented carried its own story of endurance, creativity, and struggle, finding echoes of their journeys reflected in the streets of Lamu.

Stories Shared, Challenges Recognized

Harar, Ethiopia: A living walled city with over 4,000 traditional houses and 82 mosques. It is noted for its government institute training young conservation professionals and fostering local expertise.

Cidade Velha, Cabo Verde: The first European colonial town in the tropics, currently balancing preservation and development while engaging local communities.

Saint-Louis, Senegal: The former capital of French West Africa is addressing coastal erosion, flooding, and historic building degradation while working to improve livability.

Agadez, Niger: Renowned for its 27-metre earthen minaret, achievements in monument restoration, and support for traditional building skills. Its challenges include climate impacts, deteriorating housing, and declining tourism.

Timbuktu, Mali: Famous for intellectual and architectural heritage, it faces conflict damage, climate pressures, and sand encroachment, but maintains strong community-led preservation efforts.

Chinguetti, Mauritania: A historic desert city and UNESCO World Heritage Site known for manuscripts and trans-Saharan trade, now threatened by desertification and depopulation.

Amid these stories, the voice of the WMF reminded the group that they were not alone. With a global footprint of over 700 projects and $300 million raised since 1965—including African initiatives in Zanzibar, Kilwa Kisiwani, and Ilha de Moçambique—local optimism grew.

CHiFA’s presentation of the nine-month Heritage Accelerator sparked curiosity and hope. Could innovative financing or social enterprises help heritage cities break cycles of underfunding? Could heritage itself become a catalyst for new livelihoods?

Khaulah AbdulKhadir presented FLCH Lamu’s participation in the Accelerator, showcasing heritage preservation efforts and advocating for youth and women’s spaces in adaptive reuse projects. Her presentation reminded everyone that protecting heritage is not just about buildings; it is about identity, belonging, and future possibilities.

The OWHC, established in 1993 and headquartered in Quebec City, took center stage to showcase its “New Urban Project.” This initiative integrates a heritage-based approach to balance urban, human, and environmental dimensions, demonstrating how cultural heritage can guide sustainable city planning.

Looking Ahead

Confronted by threats from climate change and governance complexities, participants painted a vivid picture of Africa’s heritage cities as places of immense promise yet delicate fragility. A central theme emerged: the need to honor traditional restoration methods while adapting them to rising climate risks, and rethinking how heritage initiatives engage with local authorities.

By the time the meeting closed, the mood was one of connection and shared purpose. Lamu had offered its hospitality and history; in return, it gained new knowledge, allies, and inspiration.

Looking ahead, FLCH aims to leverage these partnerships to launch new urban heritage regeneration projects, building on the momentum established during the meeting. As the last boats left the jetty, the message was clear: Africa’s heritage cities hold the potential for socio-economic development. Through collaboration, integrated solutions, and community-driven action, their cultural identities can continue to thrive.