CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Kenyan coast is home to centuries of cultural heritage, including ancient Swahili settlements, historic trade routes, and sacred sites.Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exemplifies this rich legacy. Many coastal communities practice traditional fishing, boat-building, and religious customs linked to the ocean.

However, cultural sites are increasingly at risk from coastal erosion, unplanned development, and neglect. This thematic area highlights the need to protect both tangible cultural assets such as historical ruins, shipwrecks and mosques, as well as intangible heritage including oral histories and traditional knowledge.

MSP seeks to integrate cultural mapping into marine planning, involving custodians of heritage in decision-making, and supporting cultural tourism and education.