Aga Khan Trust for Culture

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Aga Khan Award for Architecture

Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme

Music Initiative in Central Asia

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Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture

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Introduction

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) focuses on the physical, social, cultural and economic revitalisation of communities in the Muslim world. It includes the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, the Music Initiative in Central Asia, the on-line resource ArchNet and the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The purpose of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture is the improvement of built environments in societies where Muslims have a significant presence.

SPOTLIGHT ON Historic Cities

Revitalising Zanzibar’s Stone Town

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has been active in Zanzibar since 1989, successfully completing the restoration of 11 landmark buildings (many of them on the point of collapse), upgrading housing and rehabilitating public spaces, notably Kelele Square and Forodhani Park. Inspired by His Highness the Aga Khan’s commitment to the preservation of historic cities in the Muslim world, AKTC has been working to prove cultural heritage can become a catalyst for positive change. More

Objectives

Buildings and public spaces are physical manifestations of culture in societies, past, and present. They represent human endeavours that can enhance the quality of life, foster self-understanding and community values, and expand opportunities for economic and social development into the future. To underwrite the vitality and integrity of built environments in the Muslim world, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has developed programmes that support:

• The pursuit of excellence in contemporary architecture and related fields;
• The conservation and creative re-use of historic buildings and public spaces which facilitate social, economic, and cultural development;
• The strengthening of education for architectural practice, planning, and conservation; and
• The international exchange of ideas to enhance understanding of the intimate connection between culture and built environments in the history and culture of Islamic civilisations and in contemporary Muslim societies.
  

History

Baltit Fort, Northern Pakistan, restored by the Historic Cities ProgrammeThe Aga Khan Trust for Culture was founded in 1988 and is registered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a private, non-denominational, philanthropic foundation. It is an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of institutions created by His Highness The Aga Khan, with distinct yet complementary mandates to improve the welfare and prospects of people in countries in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa.

Though their spheres of activity and expertise differ - ranging from social development, to economic development, to culture - AKDN institutions share at least three principles that guide their work. The first is a dedication to self-sustaining development that can contribute to long-term economic advancement and social harmony. The second is a commitment to the vigorous participation of local communities in all development efforts. Finally, all Network institutions seek shared responsibility for positive change. They actively work to facilitate collaborative ventures, seeking potential partners - from universities and governments, to foundations and international development agencies, to individual and corporate donors or investors - on the basis of shared objectives and the complementarity of resources.