Authenticity Attraction Zoning Authenticity Attraction Zoning Fort Jesus, Mombasa, KenyaFort Jesus, Mombasa, Kenya
Public Use Planning, Module 4Public Use Planning, Module 4World Heritage Sites of Portuguese OriginWorld Heritage Sites of Portuguese Origin
Natural Landscape Zone: Urban on Old Town side of Fort
Natural Landscape Zone on all other sides: Suburban
Natural Landscape Zone on all other sides: Suburban
Zone 1: Façade
Zone 1: Façade
Zone 1: Façade
Zone 1: Façade
Zone 1: Façade
Zone 1: Façade (first impression): Seen from street
AuthenticityDistractions
General Main electric cable running across front wall, bothersome tour guides, some parking in front, kiosk sales, curio shop, metal railing, shiny metal flag post, small graffiti, parking lot signs in dry moat, resting bench, trash can,
Specialized There should be a bridge not a walkway that crosses the moat to enter (drawbridge has been removed), cannon location in front walkway is decorative but incorrect
Authenticity Qualities
General Imposing high walls, dry moat, partially peeling paint, cannons aiming outward, overlook of ocean, impressive trees in dry moat (or is this a specialized distraction?)
Specialized Outer wall across from the moat,
Current Zone (1–5) 3-3.5
Higher Zone Level If (strategies to improve authenticity) Fix distractions, especially redesign curio shop and kiosks to move them back and use a period-appropriate architecture, could be a 4, though it has an awe-inspiring first impression due largely to the size, thickness, and height of walls.
Zone 2: Dry Moat Zone 2: Dry Moat Perimeter S. Felipe to Perimeter S. Felipe to S. MateusS. Mateus
Zone 2 (location): Dry moat outside perimeter from S. Felipe to S. Mateus
AuthenticityDistractions
General Trail where it is landscaped with ornamental plants, metal railing at entrance, buildings looming up beyond exterior wall, other people walking through area
Specialized
Authenticity Qualities
General Moat clearly illustrated, cleared, high exterior wall, visitor is immersed between two great walls on either side which makes main wall appear even higher. On ocean side, during low tide one can walk around and see natural coral rock outcroppings, unaffected by people, natural vegetation
Specialized
Current Zone (1–5) 4
Higher Zone Level If (strategies to improve authenticity)
Zone 3: Fort Courtyard
Zone 3: Fort Courtyard
Zone 3: Fort Courtyard
Zone 3: Fort Courtyard
Zone 3 (location): Fort Courtyard
AuthenticityDistractions
General Museum and curator office clearly are from another age and architectural style, “do not walk on grass” sign, railings and turnstile at entrance, cannons all lined up in wrong location, bathrooms, strong wall lights at night, tram line, tile floor and metal railings in front of Omani house, high level of social encounters especially due to the open space with multiple sight lines, gift shop, food shop
Specialized Removed Portuguese soldier paintings
Authenticity Qualities
General View of surrounding walls, cistern, original plaque of British protectorate
Specialized Drop toilet
Current Zone (1–5) 3
Higher Zone Level If (strategies to improve authenticity) If could outfit the courtyard with objects that would appear authentic to the moment, such as stacked cannon balls, other structures such as a carpentry shop, hide museum façade perhaps with more vegetation, remove cannons to a more realistic location, eliminate turnstile and railings to improve first impression of interior
Zone 4: Interior Zone 4: Interior Passages to SeaPassages to Sea
Zone 4: Zone 4: Interior Passages to SeaInterior Passages to Sea
Zone 4 (location): Interior Passages to Sea (Passage of the Arches; Passages of Steps)
AuthenticityDistractions
General Some trash, passageways blocked off by bars, rather than a gate to allow passage of people and supplies; ammunition store room has a label and artificial lighting
Specialized
Authenticity Qualities
General Visitor generally immersed by original rock construction, mildly dangerous as it has never been softened for visitation, looks completely unrestored, and drops down to ocean level, feeling secluded from bustle or rest of fort
Specialized
Current Zone (1–5) 4
Higher Zone Level If (strategies to improve authenticity) 4.2 If bars were replaced with a real gate that can remain locked but looks like a gate rather than a dead end
Zone 5: Interior Walls and Towers
Zone 5: Interior Walls and Towers
Zone 5 (location): Interior Walls and Towers
AuthenticityDistractions
General Generator on wall in front of fort; modern flag posts
Specialized bars for visitor security that cover cannon watches
Authenticity Qualities
General Generally walls and towers feel like they should from long ago with few distractions, except when looking into Old Town or the Courtyard that remind one of what period they are in. the view into the dry moat can be exceptional in certain parts enhancing the drop from the top of the wall.
Specialized No cannon balls, flags, soldiers or any other items that would have otherwise been found
Current Zone (1–5) 4
Higher Zone Level If (strategies to improve authenticity) Certainly improving the courtyard will improve the internal view from the walls and towers.
Zone 6: Interior Entranceway
Zone 6: Interior Entranceway
Zone 6: Interior Entranceway
Interior Zone 6 (location): Interior entranceway (from ticket booth to emergence point in courtyard)
AuthenticityDistractions
General Ticket booth cage, artificial lighting, Fort Jesus sign, metal railing after ticket booth, security guard is dressed as a modern-day policeman in blue
Specialized
Authenticity Qualities
General Big metal internal cage, high level of immersion, high roof, darkness and coolness as one passes through
Specialized No decorations of the period (if there were any)
Current Zone (1–5) 4
Higher Zone Level If (strategies to improve authenticity) Goal is to use this space as a transitional space between regular Mombasa world and the world of the Portuguese Fort some centuries past. Perhaps put some weapons on wall or a flag of Order of Christ (or Omani flag), make sure that at no point can visitor see both inside the fort and outside in order to complete the transition; keep as dark as possible without becoming dangerous and using torches on the wall, powered by natural gas. Guard should be dressed in period clothing with period-appropriate weapon (or imitation).