Activities >> Sites

Kenya: Leven House and Steps

Background

The project has its roots in the AFRICA 2009, 3rd Regional Course held in 2001. During that course, the Leven House and Steps site was selected as one of the sites on which the participants of the course would carry out their hands-on management planning exercise. During the Directors Seminar that followed, the directors acknowledged the work done by the participants and indicated that it would benefit both the AFRICA 2009 programme and the residents of Mombasa if a Projet Situé could be carried out at the site, given its advanced state of deterioration.

Objectives

The principal objectives of the project were to:

• offer an opportunity for different professionals involved in the conservation of immovable cultural heritage to exchange competencies on a practical conservation project (NMK, MOTCO, etc.), giving priority to local know-how, professionals, competencies, means, and materials;
• sensitize Kenyan professionals to international conservation norms;
  emphasize simple conservation methods which can easily be implemented on other similar sites in Mombasa and elsewhere (for example, Lamu);
• study and consolidate Leven House and Steps with a view towards preparing a more in-depth conservation project.
  

Structure

All activities are organized in close partnership between CRATerre-EAG, MOTCO, and the NMK. A first mission was carried out in June 2002 to plan for the implementation phase. The first part of implementation took place in December 2002, with a second implementation mission in February 2003. Proposals were then prepared for further work that needs to be done in consultation with stakeholders. A second component to the project was also added to improve presentation of the Old Town of Mombasa as a means of improving the benefits of tourism.

Results in 2003 (work will continue in 2004):

• Emergency consolidation works were completed. The structure is now secured.
• Training was carried out as part of the works for a number of professionals involved in the conservation of immovable cultural heritage in Kenya (architects, artisans, local population, etc.)
• Approximately US$ 3,000 worth of equipment was purchased for MOTCO to carry out similar works on other buildings in Mombasa old Town.
• A detailed plan, with the stakeholder involvement, was developed for future uses and activities to be implemented on the site.
• A project document was prepared for the remaining work that needs to be done for the complete rehabilitation of the Leven House building and its surroundings aw well as improvements to the presentation of the Old Town.