There have been ambitious plans by the Ministries of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development aimed at modernising Dar es Salaam by encouraging local and foreign investments in constructing high rise buildings in the city's central area now referred to as Central Business District (CBD).
However, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has made the plans difficult by declaring more than 100 buildings in the CBD 'protected' and hence safeguarding the city's oldest area which include historic structures built during the German and British colonial eras.
The contradiction between the two ministries' objectives represents those who wish to see Dar es Salaam as a modern city and those who would like it preserved for historical, cultural and touristic reasons.
Personally, I opt for the latter reasons. With regards to history, I fail to understand why the CBD proponents in the government have opted to carry out developments in the oldest part of the city. Already Samora Avenue is changing face. Many German architectural designs have been demolished in favour of modern high-rise buildings.
As I see it, this is wiping out our history. A country without vivid illustrations of its past has no soul. What will we have to show future generations? I would like kids of tommorow to value their history and independence the same way I was brought up to do so. Showing them where in 1958 Nyerere was brought to answer charges of sedition and heavily fined is important in making them appreciate where we came from. I cannot imagine anybody breaking down the 'Jumba la Ajabu' in Zanzibar or clearing up the Kaole ruins to build a lush hotel. That would be madness.
For touristic reasons, I believe many of those outsiders including Germans and Britons also visit Dar es Salaaam to see the colonial face of our city. They read of their imperial past and want to see evidence of their forefathers' impact in faraway lands. They do not leave Europe's concrete jungle to come and see more concrete. Change the old face of Dar es Salaam and you kill the city's tourist attraction. They might end up in Mikumi or Arusha, but in Dar there will be nothing to see.
Moreover, why not 'modernise' Kariakoo and Kurasini which have lesser historical significance? What about building that long-awaited bridge at Magogoni and having all the skyscrapers in Kigamboni?
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