Sustainable architectural conservation according to traditions of Islamicwaqf: the World Heritage–listed Stone Town of Zanzibar

The tradition of Islamic waqf in Zanzibar's Stone Town offers a sustainable model for architectural conservation, balancing heritage preservation with urban use. This study reveals that waqf buildings have survived centuries without significant decay, suggesting inherent sustainability 'genes' within the tradition. By examining financial, social, managerial, and environmental aspects, researchers found that waqf effectively prevents gentrification while enabling collective urban conservation. The findings highlight that sustainable heritage practices require monetary sacrifices but can be long-lasting if embedded in cultural traditions.

Khalfan, K. A., & Ogura, N. (2012). Sustainable architectural conservation according to traditions of Islamicwaqf: the World Heritage–listed Stone Town of Zanzibar. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 18(6), 588–604. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2011.607175