In the landscape of new African urban development practices, a notable phenomenon is taking shape, often characterized as "Demonstration Effects" within the realm of tourism-led gentrification (Sharpley & Telfer, 2014). This term, rooted in tourism studies, encapsulates the inclination of residents to emulate the behaviours and consumption patterns of Western tourists (Monterrubio & Mendoza-Ontiveros, 2014). This observable emulation extends not only to the regeneration projects around the historical ambiance of Stone Town in Zanzibar but also permeates into emerging new-build developments within and beyond these areas.
Figure 1: Caricature on the affect Airbnb is having in development companies who may not want to contribute to gentrification but are faced with the reality that the emerging market created by the accommodation company, is simply too lucrative to miss out on.
Amidst these considerations, Mermet (2017) addresses a pressing concern that has risen with the burgeoning impact of new entrants in the tourism accommodation domain, notably exemplified by the influential emergence of Airbnb. A cursory exploration, particularly in locales like Cape Town, Maputo, or Dar Salaam, reveals discernible gentrification risks. The blurring boundaries between residential redevelopment, new developments, and tourist accommodation pose intricate challenges. Horn & Visser (2023) elaborate that the trajectory unfolds as residential and mixed land use developments become fertile ground for potential tourism-led or tourism-oriented property investments, attracting both foreign investors and affluent local residents. Notably, in locales like Cape Town, the allure of Airbnb is now explicitly wielded as a motivating factor for investors contemplating ventures in sought-after areas.
A tangible illustration of this confluence of interests materializes in Zanzibar Island, where the Fumba development strategically markets properties to foreign investors (Horn & Visser, 2023). The infusion of distinctly Northern themes—such as mixed land use (Jacobs, 1960), walkable cities, and the phenomenon of digital nomads (Vagena, 2021)—forms a distinctive analytical parallel to the dynamics of third-wave gentrification.
Figure 2: Upon first look at the development's website, you immediately realise its appeal to foreign markets. This is highlighted by all the rental and purchasing prices, for commercial and residential real estate, being shown in American Dollars and not the country's official currency, the Tanzanian Shilling.
(retrieved from: https://fumba.town)
Figure 3: Represented above is a 7 year Timelapse of the area where the Fumba Town Development is located. Herein lies the concept and realisation of a Satellite town, with the twist of being entirely private-owned by CPS Zanzibar Ltd.
to see the extravagance on offer in this new development, see their youtube channel: https://youtu.be/ls_I1xlNcyI
Additionally, an intriguing avenue of exploration unfolds in the context of brownfield development within African cities, inviting comparison with analogous experiences in the global north. These developments not only underscore the shifting urban landscape but also draw attention to the burgeoning influence of digital nomads, a relatively recent phenomenon. Their role in steering urban developments, facilitated by interventions like Airbnb, reflects a trend that transcends the boundaries of Africa and the global South (Hayes, 2015, 2018, 2020). Similar debates around urban development and tourism in the global north resonate with the globalized nature of these practices. The intersection of investments in tourism, both on local and global scales, and the evolving practices of digital nomads underscores a dynamic that extends beyond geographical confines, shaping urban landscapes in diverse and unexpected ways.
The imprint of "Demonstration Effects" within tourism-led gentrification is unmistakable. Residents, influenced by Western tourists, mirror behaviours, transforming not only established areas like De Waterkant and Stone Town but also shaping emerging developments.
The rise of Airbnb only amplifies gentrification risks, blurring distinctions between residential and tourist spaces. Foreign investors, enticed by the popular company’s business model, further complicate the intricate dance of tourism, property development, and urban planning.
As brownfield development and digital nomadism enter the narrative, a globalized trend emerges. The impacts extend beyond geographical bounds, shaping urban landscapes in unexpected ways. In this exploration, the fusion of tourism, property development, and digital nomad ethos emerges as a potent force, demanding nuanced understanding and thoughtful urban planning to navigate the complex interplay of forces shaping African urban futures.
for more information on the Fumba Town Development visit thier website:
Reference list:
Hayes, M., 2015. Introduction: The emerging lifestyle migration industry and geographies of transnationalism, mobility and displacement in Latin America. Journal of Latin American Geography, 14(1), pp.7-18.
Hayes, M., 2018. Gringolandia: Lifestyle migration under late capitalism. U of Minnesota Press.
Hayes, M., 2020. The coloniality of UNESCO’s heritage urban landscapes: Heritage process and transnational gentrification in Cuenca, Ecuador. Urban Studies, 57(15), pp.3060-3077.
Mermet, A.C., 2017. Airbnb and tourism gentrification: critical insights from the exploratory analysis of the ‘Airbnb syndrome’in Reykjavik. In Tourism and gentrification in contemporary metropolises (pp. 52-74). Routledge.
Monterrubio, J.C. and Mendoza-Ontiveros, M.M., 2014. Tourism and the demonstration effect: Empirical evidence. Tourism & Management Studies, 10(1), pp.97-103.
Telfer, D.J. and Sharpley, R., 2015. Tourism and development in the developing world. Routledge.
Please edit your reference list and make it more legible - it looks haphazard and hurried.
You should look up CPS in the near future.
A great deal of debate around short term rentals and Airbnb's impact on housing availability is being had right now in urban development circles - you should listen to podcasts and read up on this during the break. I think you would be very interested in what is being said.