History of Livingstone

Foundation and First Mentions

The city of Livingstone was officially founded in 1905. It received its name in honour of the famous Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone, who was the first European to see and describe Victoria Falls.

The historical predecessor of the city was the settlement of "Old Drift", located directly on the banks of the Zambezi River. However, due to the unhealthy climate and frequent outbreaks of malaria, the colonial administration decided to move the settlement to a safer elevation, where the modern city centre was formed.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several strategic factors:

• Railway Connection: The main impulse for development was the completion of the bridge across Victoria Falls in 1905. This event connected the city with the south of Africa and turned it into a key transport hub.
• Political Status: In 1911, Livingstone became the capital of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). The capital status, which the city retained until 1935, attracted investment and contributed to the creation of developed infrastructure.
• Geography: Its unique location next to one of the natural wonders of the world ensured a constant influx of people and goods to the city.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning of its history, Livingstone developed not only as an administrative centre but also as a tourist destination. Thanks to the railway, travellers gained the opportunity to reach Victoria Falls in comfort, which laid the foundation for the hospitality industry.

The architectural appearance of early Livingstone was shaped by the Edwardian style. Administrative buildings were constructed in the city with wide verandas for protection against the heat, many of which have survived to this day. The economy of that period relied on servicing the railway, trade, and the harvesting of valuable timber species extracted from the surrounding forests.

Major Milestones in the History of Livingstone

• 1855: David Livingstone becomes the first European to see Victoria Falls, which subsequently determined the name and destiny of the future city.
• 1898: The settlement of "Old Drift" emerges on the banks of the Zambezi River, becoming the immediate predecessor of modern Livingstone.
• 1905: The bridge across Victoria Falls is officially opened, connecting the region by railway with the south of the continent.
• 1905: The city is moved to higher ground away from the river to combat malaria and officially receives its current name.
• 1911: Livingstone is proclaimed the capital of Northern Rhodesia, leading to the active construction of administrative buildings.
• 1934: The Livingstone Museum (originally the Rhodes-Livingstone Museum) is founded, which today is the oldest and largest museum in Zambia.
• 1935: The capital is moved to Lusaka, but Livingstone retains the status of the country's "tourist capital".
• 1964: Zambia declares independence, and the city begins a new stage of development as part of a sovereign state.
• 1989: Victoria Falls is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, attracting a new flow of international travellers to the city.
• 2011: The local airport is modernised and renamed in honour of Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, a renowned leader of the independence movement.
• 2013: Livingstone, together with the Zimbabwean city of Victoria Falls, hosts the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Stages of City Formation and Transformation

The development of Livingstone is a story of transformation from a temporary crossing to an international tourist capital. Here are the key moments that defined the modern economic and cultural appearance of the city:

• Construction of the Victoria Falls Bridge (1905).
  Significance: This engineering project became the main economic driver of the region. The bridge connected Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia) with the southern ports of Africa, turning an isolated territory into an important transport and trade hub on the route of the transcontinental railway.
• Urban Relocation of the City (1905).
  Significance: The decision of the colonial administration to move the settlement from the swampy "Old Drift" area to higher ground defined the modern urban structure. A clear grid of wide streets was laid out, avenues of jacaranda trees were planted, and an effective drainage system was created, which allowed for the defeat of epidemics and the creation of a comfortable living environment.
• Period of Capital Status (1911–1935).
  Significance: During these years, the unique architectural ensemble of the centre was formed. The construction of government buildings, courts, and residences in the Edwardian style left the city with a rich heritage that today attracts admirers of historical architecture and serves as a backdrop for cultural events.
• Creation of the Livingstone Museum (1934).
  Significance: The opening of the country's oldest museum became an important cultural milestone. This institution turned the city into a centre for historical and anthropological research in Zambia, allowing for the preservation of unique artefacts and personal belongings of the explorer David Livingstone.
• Economic Reorientation (post-1935).
  Significance: After the transfer of the administrative capital to Lusaka, Livingstone avoided decline by changing its development vector. The city began to position itself as the "tourist capital", developing the hotel business and excursion services around Victoria Falls, which became the foundation of its economy for decades to come.
• Infrastructure Modernisation (2010s).
  Significance: Preparations for the UNWTO General Assembly in 2013 gave a powerful impulse to the city's renewal. The reconstruction of the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport and the repair of the road network significantly increased the transport accessibility of the resort for tourists from all over the world.

Urban Planning Features and Layout

The architectural appearance of Livingstone is unique for Zambia, as the city was originally designed as the capital of colonial Northern Rhodesia. The development plan, approved in the early 20th century, was based on the strict sanitary and aesthetic standards of that time.

The main feature of the urban planning was the wide grid of streets. Avenues were designed to be unusually spacious not only for transport needs but also to ensure air circulation, which was considered important for the prevention of tropical diseases. A characteristic feature of the city became the avenues of jacaranda and flame trees (Royal Poinciana), which turn the streets into colourful tunnels during the flowering season.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Livingstone's built environment reflects its transformation from an administrative centre of the British Empire to a modern tourist hub. Several key stylistic directions can be distinguished:

• Colonial Style and Edwardian Era (1905–1930s).
  Most historical buildings in the city centre belong to this period. They are characterised by deep verandas around the perimeter (to protect walls from direct sun), high ceilings for ventilation, the use of red brick, and corrugated iron roofs. Houses were often raised on piles or high foundations for protection against dampness and insects.
• Art Deco (1930–1950s).
  In the period between the world wars and in the post-war years, public and commercial buildings with Art Deco elements appeared in the city: geometric facades, rounded corners, and decorative stepped gables. This style added a touch of cinematic flair to the city.
• Spanish Colonial Style (mid-20th century).
  Some iconic structures, erected after the loss of capital status, unexpectedly turn to Southern European motifs, adding eclecticism to the architectural ensemble.

Iconic Buildings and Structures

The historical centre of Livingstone is quite compact, and many architectural monuments have been preserved in good condition:

• Livingstone Museum. The most recognisable building in the city, built in the 1950s (architect J.A. Hoogterp). It is executed in the Spanish Revival style with a characteristic clock tower, white walls, and arched galleries, creating a majestic and solemn appearance.
• High Court Building. A classic example of early colonial administrative architecture. A strict, monumental building with columns, emphasising the importance of law and order in the new capital of the turn of the century.
• Capitol Theatre. A striking example of the Art Deco style. The building stands out with its characteristic vertical sign and geometric forms of the facade, reminiscent of the golden age of cinema.
• North Western Hotel. One of the oldest buildings in the city, built back in 1909. A low structure with wide verandas and arched openings demonstrates what the first hotels looked like for travellers arriving to see Victoria Falls by railway.

Historical Figures and Explorers

• David Livingstone — Scottish missionary and traveller.
  The first European to see Victoria Falls in 1855 and gave it the English name in honour of the Queen. The city bears his name, and the local museum houses the largest collection of his personal belongings, including letters and clothing.
• Cecil John Rhodes — politician, entrepreneur, and founder of the British South Africa Company.
  Although he never visited the falls personally, it was his visionary "Cape to Cairo" railway project that caused the founding of the city. Rhodes insisted that the bridge across the Zambezi be built so that the "spray from the falls would wash over the train carriages", which determined the tourist destiny of Livingstone.

Political and Public Figures

• Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula — leader of the national liberation movement, educator.
  A key figure in Zambia's struggle for independence and a native of the Southern Province. He led the African National Congress (ANC) and played an important role in the political life of the region. The city's international airport, which is the main gateway for tourists, is named in his honour.
• Chiefs of the Mukuni Dynasty — traditional rulers of the Leya people.
  Historically controlled the territories around Victoria Falls long before the arrival of Europeans. The Mukuni Royal Village, located near the city, remains a living centre of cultural heritage, and the reigning chief plays an important role in the development of local tourism and the preservation of traditions.

Creators of the City's Appearance

• George Paul Imbault — French engineer.
  Led the construction of the famous bridge across Victoria Falls. His engineering genius allowed the construction to be completed in just 14 months (in 1905), connecting the two banks of the gorge and ensuring the economic prosperity of Livingstone as a transport hub.
• Gervas Clay — historian, ornithologist, and administrator.
  Served for a long time as the director of the Livingstone Museum (in the 1960s) and was the Resident Commissioner of Barotseland. He made an invaluable contribution to the preservation of the city's history, the systematisation of museum collections, and the study of local fauna.