This study was meant to analyze courtyard space in Magomeni neighborhood which
comprises Swahili architectural buildings arranged in grid iron pattern built in 1940s as
African settlement. Three field surveys were conducted in 2012, 2013 and 2014 where, 99,
100 and 99 households samples were consecutively picked up for spatial, social,
environmental and cultural analysis. In each survey, courtyard spaces were studied based on
previous functions in terms of physical, environmental and socio-spatial roles in the Swahili
architecture and lifestyle of the people. The original intended role of courtyard spaces were
analyzed and compared with the current situation where most of them have lost their
functions (architectural, environmental, cultural and social) due extension of rooms in the
courtyard spaces which is caused by urbanization and socio-economic needs for renting
spaces in areas within a walking distance from the city center. The physical analysis was
followed up by the socio-statistical investigation where the results from the two analytical
methods were discussed with the results as follows: Pragmatically, the courtyard spaces in
Swahili architecture had central role in the physical, environmental and social layout of
buildings which in this study it is considered as a “center of life” or genius loci of the Swahili
architecture. The alteration in most of the buildings by extending rooms into the courtyard
space has caused a downfall of this very vital space which has resulted into change of
lifestyle of the residents. Discomfort due to lack of cross ventilation was reported by most of
the respondents. Consequently, there is an excessive demand for artificial cooling and
ventilation appliances which has increased the cost of living in the neighbourhood. Although
residents have shown some efforts to plant trees to improve the living condition, a holistic
approach from both the government and the community is needed in the redevelopment of the
neighbourhood.