Fortifications et urbanisation en Afrique orientale

This thesis traces the development of fortifications along the shores of East Africa from the 10th century to the early 19th century. The author studies the relationship between society and urbanism and the role of military architecture as defences or as symbols of foreign imperialism, and questions whether the upsurge in warfare was a solution to economic tensions. Evidence from a number of case studies is presented from the shores of Kenya and Tanzania as well as Swahili forts and fortified cities. French text.