About
03/2023 - ongoing
Lamu, Kenya
Critical Urbanisms
Lamu Youth Alliance
The ongoing implementation of the LAPSSET (Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport) Corridor Project, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Africa, raises new questions and important debates about the urban and ecological future of Lamu, Kenya.
These debates bring up both ancient and recent histories—about Lamu’s past as an important node of Indian Ocean trade and historical injustices since Kenyan independence.
The future development of Lamu may hinge on how this inheritance is mobilised to negotiate local people’s stake in plans and projects from elsewhere.
To grasp the Lamu yet to come, our work focuses on the perspectives, experiences, and aspirations of those inhabiting and transforming Lamu today.
It is in their everyday lives and memories that we anchor important questions about heritage, development, security, and mobility.
This collaborative research project is organised by Prof. Dr. Kenny Cupers and coordinated since 2024 by Dr. Maren Larsen from the Critical Urbanisms program at the University of Basel, in close collaboration with the Lamu Youth Alliance (LYA) and with the support of the Shungwaya Welfare Association, Lamu Museums, Sites and Monuments (NMK), Lamu Women Alliance, and Save Lamu.
In 2023, the project brought together eight students from Basel and eight researchers from the LYA.
In 2024, the project brought together twelve students from Basel, eight researchers from the LYA and four researchers from the National Museums of Kenya.
In 2025, the project will bring together seven students from Basel and seven researchers from the LYA. For the first time, research teams will be women-led.
In 2024, the project brought together twelve students from Basel, eight researchers from the LYA and four researchers from the National Museums of Kenya.
In 2025, the project will bring together seven students from Basel and seven researchers from the LYA. For the first time, research teams will be women-led.
2023 Cohort
25/03 - 5/05/2023
Researchers: Ruth Lozi, Ahmed Adhan, Ambarin Sultana, Hajj Shee, Aziz Ali Shiekh, Florence Alder, Gadsiah Ibrahim, Maeva Yersin, Nancy Wachira, Nasir AbuBakr, Tanja Meier, Cristina de Lucas, Nasba Mohamed, Amina Omar, Munib Rehman, Isabella Pamplona.
Organizers: Walid Ahmed, Abdul Hazeez Isaak, Nora Naji, Kenny Cupers
Web Design:Isabella Pamplona
Content Editing: Munib Rehman and Kenny Cupers
Data Management: Gadsiah Ibrahim
Web Design:Isabella Pamplona
Content Editing: Munib Rehman and Kenny Cupers
Data Management: Gadsiah Ibrahim
2024 Cohort
25/03 - 5/05/2024
Researchers: Ahmed Adhan Mahamud, Clara Louise Alder Juul, Erick Muteti, Henning Weiss, Janaina Marisa Caratsch, Khaula Mohammed Abdulqadir, Leo Witzig, Lilian Salama, Lion Henri Tautz, Marie-Jean Malek, Milena Astray Martinez, Mohammed Khalifa, Nadja Nievergelt, Nusrat Ahmed Ali, Olga Voiushina, Oliver Frayne, Rashid Aboud Bwana, Ridwan Obatade, Rukia Issa, Runzhu Qian, Ruth Lozi, Salwa Mahmoud, Ummi Haroun, Zeitun Abdallah
Organizers: Walid Ahmed, Maren Larsen, Kenny Cupers
Web Design: Isabella Pamplona
Content Editing: Maren Larsen
Web Design: Isabella Pamplona
Content Editing: Maren Larsen
