Reimagining Tanzania's Townscape Heritage
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bradford
Department Name: Faculty of Life Sciences
Abstract
At its core our proposal will explore the role of creativity (film, music, soundscapes, visual arts, craft traditions) inspired by cultural assets (townscape heritage, coastal landscape setting and links to UNESCO World Heritage in mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar and the UK). This enhances and magnifies the impact of our AHRC 'Fragmented Heritage/ Curious Travellers' methodology that combines photographic imagery (crowd-sourced/ web-scraped and new imagery) together with mobile mapping data to digitally document cultural heritage sites in context, as an approach that anticipates change, given diverse challenges that place heritage at risk.
The project will draw from Bagamoyo's rich heritage and cultural traditions, given Bagamoyo's strategic coastal location, with trading links across the Indian Ocean, past, present and future - including its boat-building traditions, role with salt production and the spice trade; the slave and ivory trade; its colonial past and linkage both with Christianity and Islam - the entry of Christianity into the interior; and with historical figures including Dr Livingstone whose body was brought to Bagamoyo upon his death in Malawi.
Digital heritage researchers and creative researchers at Bradford and St Andrews will co-create artistic works with heritage and creative researchers at the University of Dar-es-Salaam and artists at TaSUBa (Bagamoyo's Arts and Cultural Institute - Taasisi ya Sanaa na Utamaduni Bagamoyo). Training will be given in digital methods and the output will include an entry to the film shorts category at the Zanzibar International Film Festival; and a real-time portal/art installation to be showcased at the vibrant Bagamoyo Arts Festival that will link places within Tanzania (Bagamoyo on Mainland and Zanzibar Stone Towns) and between Tanzania, England and Scotland as an innovative concept and alternate form of digital twinning 'Windows Across the Oceans'. The innovative digital heritage research will enhance inclusive engagement with the creative and cultural economy in Tanzania supporting cultural heritage tourism and cultural resource management. The installations will be used to highlight the universal value of world heritage to a global audience, the importance of conserving cultural heritage settings (townscape heritage, maritime heritage) to both local people and government in Tanzania and the linked understanding and meaning that comes from oral histories, craft traditions and other rich narratives.
The project facilitates knowledge exchange and capacity building throughout, crucially involving TZ researchers to spend time in the UK, developing digital heritage skills to work with the Bagamoyo data, with additional financial support/ value-added from Erasmus+ funded activity As a result , with researchers from UDSM we will co-create a digital twin for the Historic City of Bagamoyo (on the UNESCO tentative world heritage list) and as part of this, generate Google StreetView-ready content to raise visibility for townscape heritage and to support local businesses.
The digital twin will serve as a framework to unite Bagamoyo's tangible heritage (buildings, port and boat-building tradition, landscapes/ seascapes), and intangible narratives (stories, songs, cultural practices and craft knowledge) to help to document past and present way of life. The new, vibrant digital assets that are created through this project will 1) support local tour guides (helping to increase visibility as a tourism destination; and by creating digital resources that can enhance the tourism experience); 2) promote global citizenship and foster good community relations (helping to educate people, develop place-making and enhance civic pride); 3) develop use of IT through methods that support digital discovery (hidden heritage); 4) improve accessibility (equality, diversity and inclusion); 5) provide methods for long term monitoring of change to sites by heritage guardians.
The project will draw from Bagamoyo's rich heritage and cultural traditions, given Bagamoyo's strategic coastal location, with trading links across the Indian Ocean, past, present and future - including its boat-building traditions, role with salt production and the spice trade; the slave and ivory trade; its colonial past and linkage both with Christianity and Islam - the entry of Christianity into the interior; and with historical figures including Dr Livingstone whose body was brought to Bagamoyo upon his death in Malawi.
Digital heritage researchers and creative researchers at Bradford and St Andrews will co-create artistic works with heritage and creative researchers at the University of Dar-es-Salaam and artists at TaSUBa (Bagamoyo's Arts and Cultural Institute - Taasisi ya Sanaa na Utamaduni Bagamoyo). Training will be given in digital methods and the output will include an entry to the film shorts category at the Zanzibar International Film Festival; and a real-time portal/art installation to be showcased at the vibrant Bagamoyo Arts Festival that will link places within Tanzania (Bagamoyo on Mainland and Zanzibar Stone Towns) and between Tanzania, England and Scotland as an innovative concept and alternate form of digital twinning 'Windows Across the Oceans'. The innovative digital heritage research will enhance inclusive engagement with the creative and cultural economy in Tanzania supporting cultural heritage tourism and cultural resource management. The installations will be used to highlight the universal value of world heritage to a global audience, the importance of conserving cultural heritage settings (townscape heritage, maritime heritage) to both local people and government in Tanzania and the linked understanding and meaning that comes from oral histories, craft traditions and other rich narratives.
The project facilitates knowledge exchange and capacity building throughout, crucially involving TZ researchers to spend time in the UK, developing digital heritage skills to work with the Bagamoyo data, with additional financial support/ value-added from Erasmus+ funded activity As a result , with researchers from UDSM we will co-create a digital twin for the Historic City of Bagamoyo (on the UNESCO tentative world heritage list) and as part of this, generate Google StreetView-ready content to raise visibility for townscape heritage and to support local businesses.
The digital twin will serve as a framework to unite Bagamoyo's tangible heritage (buildings, port and boat-building tradition, landscapes/ seascapes), and intangible narratives (stories, songs, cultural practices and craft knowledge) to help to document past and present way of life. The new, vibrant digital assets that are created through this project will 1) support local tour guides (helping to increase visibility as a tourism destination; and by creating digital resources that can enhance the tourism experience); 2) promote global citizenship and foster good community relations (helping to educate people, develop place-making and enhance civic pride); 3) develop use of IT through methods that support digital discovery (hidden heritage); 4) improve accessibility (equality, diversity and inclusion); 5) provide methods for long term monitoring of change to sites by heritage guardians.
Organisations
- University of Bradford (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of St Andrews (Collaboration)
- Bradford Metropolitan District Council (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- University of Dar es Salaam (Collaboration)
- Scottish Fisheries Museum (Project Partner)
- British Council (Project Partner)
- Bradford UNESCO City of Film (Project Partner)
- Bagamoyo Institute of Arts and Culture (Project Partner)
- Tanzania Film Board (Project Partner)
- Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society (Project Partner)
Title | Archaeology showcases multi-million pound tech |
Description | Video produced by the University of Bradford following the AHRC CapCo EXPO event 13th September 2023 |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | significant number of views relating to this video that focuses on the benefits for students and researchers |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8PfNZPEjHg |
Title | Reimagining Tanzania's Townscape Heritage |
Description | Short film presented at ZIFF utilises digital heritage as a vehicle to explore the City of Bagamoyo and links to Zanzibar, the Interior and the rest of the World. The film reimagines the legacy of these heritage assets and their role in establishing identity, by examining historic colonial influence, craft traditions, coastal connections and the potential to link to tourism and the creative economy. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Panel Discussion - Tangible and Intangible Heritage as Archives for Identity (lead discussants Elgidius Ichumbaki, Thomas Sparrow, Olivia Booker, Andrew Wilson). centre upon the rich potential of heritage assets and the need to conserve these often-fragile resources. Drawing upon case study sites along the coast of East Africa, the discussion will seek to raise awareness of the value of heritage and place-based research. This encompasses tangible built heritage (buildings and monuments), the narratives and craft traditions that are considered intangible heritage that enrich such sites (boat-building, fishing, salt-production, craft industries), as well as the natural heritage that offers the setting and helps to contextualise heritage. The panel will explore the complementary aspects of natural and cultural resource management, whilst also discussing the potential threats (inclusive of climate change and neglect) and competing interests that can affect these sites. |
URL | https://ziffestival.org/ziff-festival-events-2023/ |
Title | Using Innovative Technology to Uncover the Past and Plan the Future |
Description | AHRC Press video |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Visibility for CapCo investment as national capability in runway to RICHeS and in advance of BD25 City of Culture |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGPL0b_9Hqo |
Description | The project has facilitated skills-sharing, training and co-creation of digital assets with TZ researchers, developing a 'Digital Twin' for the tangible heritage of the Historic Core of Bagamoyo that combined aerial capture, mobile mapping and 360 imagery. The project was a response to the UN Year for the creative economy and has also captured narratives relating to intangible craft traditions and in conjunction with creative practitioners has allowed the development of film and artistic responses to digital heritage. The project has helped to raise awareness amongst archaeologists and heritage professionals working across Africa of the value of co-creating artistic responses to heritage with community groups to highlight the UN sustainable development goals, by contributing two sessions at the Pan African Archaeological Association conference in Zanzibar (Aug 2022). The main theme for the conference was concerned with resilience and learning from African pasts to manage the future. We also contributed both a film and workshop at the Zanzibar International Film Festival (Jun 2023). We have also developed a legacy geospatial web-based resource using ESRI's StoryMap Collection that will contribute both towards raising awareness of the significance of heritage assets and conservation needs and will also serve as a basis for raising the profile of heritage and the creative economy for visitors. |
Exploitation Route | Follow-on research connecting coastal heritage traditions linking Zanzibar with Mainland Tanzania and the interior; Knowledge exchange with partners at UDSM and National Museum of Tanzania. Developing content for sharing to link the creative economy in Tanzania to Bradford's role as UK City of Culture. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Creative Economy Education Environment Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Retail Transport |
URL | http://visualisingheritage.org/reimagining-tanzanias-townscape-heritage/ |
Description | Knowledge transfer and training in digital heritage techniques with TZA heritage practitioners during fieldwork (May 2022) and during Erasmus+ exchange (Sep22 -Jan 23); Creative outputs (film and banners) shown at Bagamoyo Festival (Oct 2022) and the Zanzibar International Film Festival (Jun 2023). Development of an ESRI StoryMap Collection. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Transport |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | Capability for Human Bioarchaeology and Digital Collections |
Amount | £2,999,856 (GBP) |
Funding ID | AH/V01255X/1 |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2022 |
End | 09/2024 |
Description | Kilmallock - Derry - Bradford: Twinning North-South Irish Walled Towns and UK Cities of Culture' |
Amount | £149,975 (GBP) |
Funding ID | AH/Y007409/1 |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2023 |
End | 12/2024 |
Description | supplementary funding to CapCo award |
Amount | £3,200,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 04/2024 |
Description | University of Dar es Salaam, Dept. of Archaeology & Heritage Studies |
Organisation | University of Dar es Salaam |
Country | Tanzania, United Republic of |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | International CoI is based in the Dept. of Archaeology & Heritage Studies |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-creation and co-development of this project; organised and coordinated fieldwork/ logistics in TZA. |
Impact | Joint authorship in publications; Joint fieldwork; Conference organisation; Outreach events responding to the UN Year for the Creative Economy |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | University of St Andrews |
Organisation | University of St Andrews |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Joint application; joint fieldwork; joint outputs |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-design and development of bid; joint fieldwork; joint project outputs |
Impact | Creative response at Bagamoyo Festival and planned for ZIFF; Joint conference presentations/ session |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Virtual Bradford |
Organisation | Bradford Metropolitan District Council |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Development of City-scale digital twin for Bradford and related replication in AHRC-funded works for Saltaire UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bagamoyo (Tanzania) and Kilmallock (Ireland). |
Collaborator Contribution | Weekly partnership meetings and strong collaboration through knowledge exchange. |
Impact | Mentioned in the launch of the Digital Strategy for the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Big Bradford Reunion (24 Sep 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Alumni event showcasing work of Virtual Bradford/ Visualising Heritage |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/alumni/big-bradford-reunion-2022/ |
Description | Briefing to Mercy Mission (31 Jan 23) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | Scoping visit with charitable organisation Mercy Mission |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Briefing to University Court at UoB (14 Dec 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | Briefing to University Court |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | CaCHE Sheffield workshop with 3 Place Programme Projects (20 Oct 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Panel discussion and presentations as part of a joint event with 3x PIs from the Place Programme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/urbanstudies/projects/place-basedresearchprog... |
Description | CapCo EXPO event (AHRC Council Visit) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | EXPO event to launch the CapCo investment formally at the University of Bradford. This event was timed to coincide with the visit of AHRC CEO Professor Christopher Smith and the AHRC's Council. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGPL0b_9Hqo |
Description | City Hall Reception (14 Sep 2023) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Attendance at Showcase event in Bradford City Hall, with dignitaries, Councillors, Lord Mayor, Representatives from AHRC Council, Director of NSMM, Producer of Bradford 2025 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/the-new-humanities/ |
Description | CommUNIty Open Day (26 Mar 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Showcase event and talk |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/events/public/unify-community-open-day---cafe-sessions.php |
Description | Digital Heritage Making a Difference to Local and Global Challenges (27 Jun 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Visit of Vivienne Stern MBE |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Digital Heritage: Making a Difference to Local & Global Challenges (26 Sep 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Visit of Anne Spinali and Paul Williams |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | First Visit of Anita Rani Prior to Installation as Chancellor (9 Jan 23) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | Talk/ Showcase on the occasion of the first visit of new Chancellor Anita Rani. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bradford.ac.uk/news/archive/2023/anita-rani-vows-to-inspire-students-during-first-visit-... |
Description | From 'Visualising Heritage' to 'Continuing Bonds': Heritage & Digital Assets for Creative Learning, Identity & Wellbeing |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Keynote joint talk 17th July with Prof Karina Croucher at the Heritage Consortium Conference, Salts Mill on 'Diversifying Futures in Heritage, Arts & Humanities |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Gothenberg - VIRTUAL BRADFORD - an Open 3D City model (Apr 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Partnership event linked to EU SCORE Project |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://northsearegion.eu/score |
Description | National Trust: A Virtual Future for Heritage (10 Nov 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation of capabilities for heritage professionals within the National Trust |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Panel discussion at Place-Based Research Programme Event, Glasgow 26 Jun 23 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Joint panel discussion as part of Place Programme Launch Event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Saltaire: People, Heritage & Place Using Heritage to Enhance Community and Wellbeing - Place Programme KE Project Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Joint workshop for Place Programme KE projects, on the theme of 'What Works' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/urbanstudies/projects/place-basedresearchprog... |
Description | Saltaire: People, Heritage and Place Installation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | As part of People, Heritage, and Place, an immersive installation was showcased at the historical Salts Mill in Saltaire, West Yorkshire. The installation showcased the the artictic qualities of the digital data developed in conjunction with the Visualising heritage team at the University of Bradford and local primary schools. The installation was met with a positive response. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://saltaireinspired.org.uk/event/saltaire-people-heritage-place/ |
Description | Shetland Museum & Archives - Visualising Heritage: From Discoverability to Dissemination (26 May 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Radio interview with BBC Radio Shetland; Evening guest lectures; Daytime launch event; Training for practitioners; Fieldwork using CapCo kit |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.shetlandamenity.org/visualising-shetlands-iron-age |
Description | UDSM talk (13 May 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Guest lecture at University of Dar es Salaam |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | UK Authority AI and Data4Good (14 Oct 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Presentation for UK Authority |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.ukauthority.com/events/ai-data4good-2022/ |
Description | Virtual Bradford showcase UoB, Bradford Council, Nottingham CC (28 Nov 22) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | joint workshop hosted by Bradford Council |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Visit of Bradford Museums & Galleries - Capabilities for Collaboration (27 Feb 23) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Showcase visit with exploration of potential for collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | visit of Nigel Guy MBE |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Visit of Nigel Guy, architect at the forefront of introducing larger social housing to people from black and minority ethnic communities in Bradford and Director of Windrush Generations and Windrush National Organisation Ltd |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |