Porlwi, Port Louis – Mauritius. Historical Topography

The Project, The Activities, The Objectives

The project’s key feature is an open-access GIS system designed to integrate historical and archaeological data. The platform’s primary objective is to trace the urban transformation of Port Louis from its first settlements in the 18th century to the early 20th century. The methodology employed includes the following:

The collected data will support academic studies on the cosmopolitan nature of Port Louis as a tropical city and its evolving social challenges over time. This research will be enriched by interviews, archival investigations, and historical references. Furthermore, all data and materials will be made available to the community, encouraging participation through citizen science initiatives. These efforts aim to foster a shared and comprehensive perspective on the city’s development and multicultural identity.

Why Port Louis?

Port Louis represents an extraordinary case study of a colonial city, offering insights into the negotiations between politics, religion, economy, and heritage issues . The coexistence and interaction of colonial influences (French, British, and those associated with the East India Companies), local Creole traditions, and practices of diverse social groups from abroad (including Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and China) pose unique challenges in interpreting the urban fabric through its social dimensions . The city encapsulates the historical narrative of Mauritius, encompassing port and harbor facilities, labor quarters (for enslaved people and indentured laborers), artisans’ and free people’s quarters, officers’ residences, military structures, shops, and markets.

Strategically located at a central point in the Indian Ocean, Port Louis may serve as a “laboratory” for studying how colonial imperialism materially transformed the lives of “others” to serve agricultural production, trade, and labor control. Simultaneously, local groups within this cosmopolitan setting developed unique ways of living and adapting, shaping a vibrant and dynamic city. The surrounding landscape, offering excellent harbor opportunities, has been valued and utilized in varying ways throughout the city’s history.

In 2019, 2022 and 2023, data confirmed a relatively good state of conservation of the historic fabric, despite significant contemporary developments . The GIS and 3D modeling approach enable a diachronic analysis of conservation efforts, highlighting varying degrees of preservation and the impact of different social group agendas on the urban landscape. The study will span five survey seasons, with the aim of mapping the entire city area. Upon completion, the GIS tool will serve not only as a resource for academic research but also as a valuable tool for urban planning and city management.