Stars of Dar is an exhibition presenting an inventory of buildings and public spaces which play an important role in the city and represent what Dar es Salaam stands for. The presented buildings and spaces have been selected through interviews with key members – musicians, fashion designers, developers, writers - and architects of Dar’s society.

Their ideas and reflections are presented and highlight directions and ideas on the shaping of future Dar es Salaam. Film portraits of 3 important public spaces, including the visions and ideas of their users, complete the picture.

It is important to keep on exchanging ideas with the Dar es Salaam community, when making plans for the city. This leads to inclusive and more sustainable planning. This exhibition can be seen as a contribution to this. Stars of Dar does not claim to give a complete picture nor is a reflection of a deep analysis, but aims to be the spark for an ongoing debate on our beloved city, in a attempt to create an inclusive city of which the total is greater than the addition of its individual parts.  

Stars of Dar is a production of architecture students from ARDHI University (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), the Architects Association of Tanzania and the Dutch foundation African Architecture Matters.

The Stars of Dar workshop and exhibition were part of the «GLOBAL CITY - LOCAL IDENTITY?» symposium organised by the Goethe Institute in Tanzania, 14 Oct - 16 Oct 2011. [To find out more: www.facebook.com/GLOBALCITYLOCALIDENTITY ]

Stars of Dar was on exhibition from 14-28 October 2011 in Ebrahim Building. The work is also presented via a project website.

 
Stars of Dar was developed as a concept to engage the wider public into the debate on the quality of the city, while it also points out to students, academics and professionals, that it is people who make the city, not buildings.

A 2 month training course followed by 30 5th year ARDHI students, based on a project format developed by Berend van der Lans, resulted in an inventory of 40 buildings spread over Dar es Salaam. This formed the prelude to the workshop for 10 students in which they developed an overview of the most meaningful buildings and public spaces in Dar es Salaam, based on interviews with public personalities in Tanzania’s largest city.

The participants also interviewed the users of the 3 most important public spaces, which resulted in 3 short films, developed with Hypermedia. The films formed the starting point for a Daladala TV broadcasting; this popular TV format attracts 3,5 million watchers daily. On 12 October the mobile Daladala studio was following its route while the passengers were discussing the state of the public spaces in Dar es Salaam.

After the Ebrahim building Stars of Dar will also be presented by the Architects Association of Tanzania at other locations.

The format of Stars of Dar was developed by Berend van der Lans for the Architects Association of Tanzania and African Architecture Matters.

NL Ambassador opens the exhibition.

Some of the Stars of Dar team members with Anthony Almeida.

Issa Shabbay receives his certificate.