Mapping Blue Resilience in Zanzibar

The Mapping Blue Resilience project was a research initiative exploring the connections between geospatial mapping, environmental resilience, and the blue economy in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The research leveraged geospatial technology and community fieldwork to investigate environmental changes, fostering solutions that promote environmental stewardship while enabling sustainable land use for economic development.

Mel Isidor participated in this research via a 6-month post-graduate research fellowship in Zanzibar sponsored by the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) program in partnership with the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA). The core research team included Rajan Hoyle and Mel Isidor of MIT and Khadija Ali, Jamila Mdungi, and Bakari Mangopo of SUZA, with advisory support from Raya Ahmada, Mohammed Zahran, and Ibrahim Khalid.

Building upon the Zanzibar Mapping Initiative (ZMI), this research was broadly focused on analyzing linkages between the blue economy and environmental resilience. The research process involved engagement with community members in Uzi Island and four other villages across Unguja and Pemba. The research focused on Uzi Island as a pilot community for capturing new drone imagery and developing implementable solutions while other communities were engaged to learn and exchange lessons across similar community contexts.

Our findings highlighted the loss in mangrove cover from 2016-2022 and its impact on current environmental and economic challenges identified by current village members. As a result, we identified solutions for equipment improvements and mentorship/training opportunities that could improve future care of the landscape and economic outcomes for the Uzi Island community. Our research outcomes of this project were presented back to community members in Uzi Island and before representatives of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries.