AI is no longer optional. It is actively reshaping architecture and must be embraced as we rethink the future of cities and design.
This was the central theme of a recent TUM-Tongji Joint Design Studio showcase on sustainable urban regeneration in multicultural contexts, a collaboration between Technical University of Mombasa and Tongji University.
Spearheaded by Dr. Kalandar Kamalkhan and Architect Onesmus Mwatu (TUM), alongside Prof. Wu Jiang and Prof. Zhou Minghao (Tongji), the event featured innovative student presentations on AI-driven solutions centered on Mombasa Old Town.
Students brought their ideas to life through fun, interactive AI agents designed as engaging characters acting as digital guides to help users explore Old Town’s locations, language, and rich cultural heritage. The projects demonstrated how technology can transform “touch-and-go” tourism into deeper, more meaningful cultural experiences.
Dr. Kalandar Kamalkhan shared a candid reflection, noting that coming from an older generation, he had initially been hesitant about AI. “There is a tendency for AI to give false information or even invent false histories,” he said, urging students to first build their own knowledge and then use AI as a tool. He emphasized moderation, cautioning against overreliance on AI at the expense of independent thinking.
However, he acknowledged that AI is inevitable and must be embraced. Reflecting on the student work presented, he expressed clear admiration. “What the Tongji students have done is impressive,” he noted, highlighting how the AI agents were simple, accurate, and user-friendly, even for children. He pointed out that the strength of the projects came from the insights gathered during their five-day exploration of Mombasa Old Town, which informed how thoughtfully the heritage was represented and preserved in their work.
The partnership’s impact so far includes:
• 1 MOU
• 3 Chinese government-funded initiatives
• 5 joint design studios
• 60+ Tongji students engaged
• 100+ TUM students involved
In an exclusive interview, Prof. Zhou Minghao noted that “Technical University of Mombasa is a very special university because it has a well-preserved modern heritage architecture,” a perspective that helped inspire the signing of the MOU between the two universities. He also emphasized how valuable the partnership has been in fostering the exchange of ideas and skill sets among students and staff from both institutions.
Reflecting on their experience, Prof. Zhou Minghao shared insights from conversations with friends, family, and colleagues back in China. “The only Africa we know is wild animals, nature, the ecology, the suffering, but we got to see there is also very beautiful heritage here in Mombasa, a mixture of culture, diversity, and multiple meanings of heritage. That is what attracted us to do this project.”
An exhibition of past collaborative works further highlighted the progress and outcomes of this five-year partnership in advancing sustainable urban solutions.
The event also brought together key stakeholders including the County Government of Mombasa, National Museums of Kenya, and the Architectural Association of Kenya, alongside TUM students and alumni, reinforcing the role of global collaboration in shaping inclusive, sustainable urban futures.
