The OWHC held its first-ever meeting dedicated to Sub-Saharan African World Heritage Cities in Lamu, Kenya. Over two days, representatives from seven cities gathered for a workshop to contribute to the development of the New Urban Project (NUP), the Organization’s program aimed at regenerating historic centers through urban strategies focused on habitability.

Main issues discussed

The discussions highlighted several challenges common to the participating cities:

• rising sea levels and desertification;
• the impacts of the climate crisis on built heritage and infrastructure;
• mobility management in cities not designed for motor vehicles;
• waste management and health issues;
• the balance between tourism development and quality of life;
• reconciling new urban needs with the preservation of authenticity.

Towards regional collaboration

Several non-member cities expressed their desire to join the Organization. Together, the participants agreed to create a regional collaboration framework—the Lamu Group—to actively contribute to the ongoing work leading up to the presentation of the New Urban Project at the 18th OWHC World Congress, to be held in Marrakech from October 26 to 29, 2026.

Acknowledgements

The OWHC warmly thanks the mayors and representatives of the cities of Agadez (Niger), Chinguetti (Mauritania), Cidade Velha (Cape Verde), Harar (Ethiopia), Saint-Louis (Senegal), and Timbuktu (Mali) for their rich and generous contributions.

Our thanks also go to CHiFA, a partner of the OWHC, as well as to the institutions and organizations that participated in the workshop: Lamu Museum, Friends of Lamu Cultural Heritage, UNESCO – Regional Office for East Africa, UN-Habitat-Regional Office for Africa, and World Monuments Fund.