The Geedeeble reserve just outside of the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa is a landscape of outstanding natural beauty, with interesting hills, geological rock formations and a unique indigenous wildlife and plants species. Due to the impacts of a changing climate and overgrazing by livestock, there has been concerted effort by the local authorities to preserve this unique habitat by creating sustainable conditions that enable the local ecosystem and its human population to co-exist in a sustainable way.
The new visitor centre is discretely nestled within an ancient woodland that overlooks a riverbed. The proposal consists of a number small buildings that include an educational and research facility and aims to promote and educate about the value of the natural environment. Through sustainable cultural tourism, it is also hoped that the centre will create jobs for nearby communities. Other functions include an archive, exhibition space, souvenir shop, cafeĢ and an accommodation for visitors. When the project was conceived, its aim was to be a tool for rural development, which would include job creation for nearby communities.
