Djenné, Mali
Founded in 800 AD, Djenné, which has been described as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s oldest cities, developed into a hub for traders to transport their gold, salt and even slaves in and out of Timbuktu. The town in central Mali situated on an island in the Niger River delta is under threat due to climate change which researchers say have affected the quality of mud bricks used to construct buildings. Residents have had to depend on cheaper materials as quality materials have become too expensive, and this approach is radically changing the town’s appearance, according to the study.
