The residents of Zanzibar have struggled to maintain the palatial housing that was left over after the 1964 revolution. However, an inventive scheme to improve Stonetown’s famous buildings is underway.

Some of the town’s residents are renting parts of the old homes for a knockdown price. They are then renovating the entire property, and turning the rented section of the building into popular bars or restaurants catering for tourists and locals alike.

Stonetown became a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000 due to its historical significance and its exceptional architecture.