Ganvie is known as Benin’s stilted village on Lake Nokoué, known as the “Venice of Africa.” Historically, the Tofinu people fled to the lake to escape enslavement by the Fon warriors in the 16th century. In the present day, the port and village embody a unique way of life, with daily activities such as fishing and trade carried out on the water, preserving centuries-old traditions. The port plays a crucial role in the local fishing industry and serves as a hub for tourism, drawing visitors to experience the rich heritage of this distinctive community.
Ganvie is known as Benin’s stilted village on Lake Nokoué, known as the “Venice of Africa.” Historically, the Tofinu people fled to the lake to escape enslavement by the Fon warriors in the 16th century. In the present day, the port and village embody a unique way of life, with daily activities such as fishing and trade carried out on the water, preserving centuries-old traditions. The port plays a crucial role in the local fishing industry and serves as a hub for tourism, drawing visitors to experience the rich heritage of this distinctive community.
The area with the most amount of foot traffic is completely pushed into a corner of the site where it cannot comfortably host 150+ vendors
70% of the port’s waste is organic, mainly from unsold fish at the end of the day. Limited space and poor sanitation caused the waste to spread throughout the port
The port faces worsening flooding due to climate change, prompting the construction of a new shoreline to improve climate resiliency.
Parti and Interventions
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CMS Examples
Ganvie is known as Benin’s stilted village on Lake Nokoué, known as the “Venice of Africa.” Historically, the Tofinu people fled to the lake to escape enslavement by the Fon warriors in the 16th century. In the present day, the port and village embody a unique way of life, with daily activities such as fishing and trade carried out on the water, preserving centuries-old traditions. The port plays a crucial role in the local fishing industry and serves as a hub for tourism, drawing visitors to experience the rich heritage of this distinctive community.