Learning from tradition for future: Green building in Kano state, Nigeria

Abstract

Green building can be considered as a building design through a method that is environmentally friendly through the resource-efficient construction process and less consumption of public resources and waste generation in the entire life-cycle of the building. Scholars have an interest in making policy whether to include culture into the sustainable development pillars making it the fourth pillar of sustainability after social, economic and environmental aspects. Traditional Architecture can be regarded as beliefs, customs, or ways of life (culture) that have existed for a long period and involve the art of designing, planning, and traditional building constructions. These traditional buildings were copied and used in contemporary buildings in Kano state, Nigeria. Therefore, most of the contemporary building design and structure has their roots in a traditional building. Nigeria’s traditional buildings across the country were affected by climate and landform all over the geographical zones, which were recognised to demonstrate a detailed solution to the building’s culture, socio-economic, local technology and climatic condition of the environment. This study will compare the past and the current building style based on the façade and floor-plan pictures, availability of local construction materials, and review of traditional thermal comfort, sources of water, rain harvest, lighting and privacy using relevant kinds of literature of Hausa traditional building around Kano state. It is therefore concluded that Hausa traditional architecture should not be forgotten, rather it should be improved and encouraged based on green sustainable features, traditions and enhance the durability of the building. It is recommended that culture should be include into the pillars of sustainability so as to minimize this problems the Hausa traditional building has. Lastly, further research is recommended in order to explore ways of improving the quality of the local building materials and the methods used during the construction process.

Keywords

• Hausa traditional architecture;
• sustainability;
• green building;
• culture;
• traditional housing;
• vernacular;
• Kano state;
• Northern Nigeria

References

1. Adegun, O. B., Adedeji, J. M., & Adedeji, Y. M. D. (2019). Whither the courtyards? Understanding disappearance and transformation of courtyards in residential buildings in Akure, Nigeria. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (1st International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructural Development), 640(1), 2–10. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/640/1/012010
2. Anuforom, A. C., & Okpara, J. N. (2004). The influence of variability and climate change on agricultural production in Nigeria. European Meteorological Society Annual Meeting Abstracts, 1(00449).
3. Areola, O., Ahmed, K., Iruegbe, O. I., Adeleke, B. O., & G.C. Leong. (2005). Certificate Physical and Human Geography. University Press Plc., Ibadan.
4. Baumgartner, R. J. (2009). Organizational culture and leadership: Preconditions for the development of sustainable corporation. Sustainable Development, 17(2), 102–113. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.405
5. BHK. (2021). JMA – Semi-Detached Modern House – BHK Habitat. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://bhknigeria.com/property/jma-semi-detached-modern-house/
6. Blogspot Gdtkmku. (2020). Kano History Museum (Constructed at the beginning of 19th century). Retrieved January 27, 2022, from http://gdtkmku.blogspot.com/2019/01/kano.html
7. Charles Moffat. (2007, December). Contemporary Architecture - The History of Architecture - The Art History Archive. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/architecture/Contemporary-Architecture.html
8. Cliff Moughtin. (1985). Hausa Architecture (Online Edi, Vol. 6; J.C. Moughtin, Ed.). Retrieved from https://www.worldcat.org/title/hausa-architecture/oclc/1149373768#borrow

9. Dessein, J., Battaglini, E., & Horlings, L. (2016). Cultural Sustainability and Regional Development (1st ed.; J. Dessein, E. Battaglini, & L. Horlings, Eds.). https://doi.org/doi.org/10.4324/9781315737430
10. DK3Homes. (2022). House Designer & Home Planner : DK 3D Home Design. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://dk3dhomedesign.com/?fbclid=IwAR24jnXUwWZ6PD8TmcKrEUc__9L_YKoNbyrv1VphszwqUwm2QPgdCok6dck
11. Don P., & Gabriel Connor Salter. (2010). Characteristics of Traditional Architecture | DoItYourself.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021, from Doityourself website: https://www.doityourself.com/stry/characteristics-of-traditional-architecture
12. Egboka, B. C. E., Mbanugoh, R. E., Nwogute, N. S., Uma, K. O., & Okpoko, E. I. (1988). Positive implications of hand-dug wells in water resources planning and management in a developing economy such as in Nigeria. Water International, 13(2), 98–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508068808692008
13. Encyclopedia-Britannica. (2021, September 24). Hausa states (Hausaland) | Historical Region, Africa | Britannica. Retrieved January 25, 2022, from Historical Region, Africa website: https://www.britannica.com/place/Hausa-states
14. Eneh, A. E. O., & Friday, A. O. (2010). The Influence of Rainfall on Hausa Traditional Architecture. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 2(8), 695–702.
15. Fatty, H. (2006). Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture. In Jencks, C. and K. Kropf (Eds.), Theories and Manifestoes of Contemporary Architecture. 2nd Edn. (pp. 144–145). Sussex: John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
16. FHF. (2019). Projects – Family Homes Funds. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://fhfl.com.ng/projects/
17. HARDOY, J. E., MITLIN, D., & SATTERWAITE, D. (1995). Book reviews: Environmental Problems in Third World Cities. Journal of International Development, 7(5), 395–403. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0021-8774.2005.00541.x
18. Haruna, I. A. (2016). Hausa Traditional Architecture. Retrieved from https://www.ibrahimharuna.com/lectures/HAUSA_TRADITIONAL_ARCHITECTURE.pdf
19. Kano Vacation Rentals & Homes - Kano, Nigeria | Airbnb. (2021). Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://www.airbnb.com/kano-nigeria/stays
20. Kristin Hohenadel. (2020). What Is Contemporary Architecture? Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-contemporary-architecture-4769079
21. Li, F., Yan, T., Liu, J., Lai, Y., Uthes, S., Lu, Y., & Long, Y. (2015). Research on social and humanistic needs in planning and construction of green buildings. Sustainable Cities and Society, 12(2014), 102–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2014.03.003
22. Lodson, J., Ogbeba, J. E., & Elinwa, U. K. (2018). A Lesson from Vernacular Architecture in Nigeria. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, 2(1), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2018.3664
23. Maina, J. J., Abba, M. A., & Abba, A. A. (2016). Housing transformation trends in Kundila and Takur site II estates, northern Nigeria. Journal of The Nigerian Institute of Building, 6(2), 1–14.
24. Mehta, P. (2020). Sustainable Architecture for The Hills: An Anthropological Approach to The Fading Vernacular Architecture of Western Himalayas With Special Emphasis on Rakkar Village of District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. (National Conference: CIMA2020) Theme: Cultural Identities In Vernacular Settings (Manifestation through Architecture).
25. Messynessy. (2020, June). A Brief Compendium of Amazing African Architecture. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.messynessychic.com/2020/06/19/a-brief-compendium-of-amazing-african-architecture/
26. MitulaHomes. (2021). Duplexes spacious kano - duplexes in Kano - Mitula Homes. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://homes.mitula.com.ng/duplexes-spacious-kano
27. NPMB. (2021). Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank Plc. – …Own Your Shelter. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from Family Homes at Darmanawa estate, Kano state. website: http://www.nigeriapolicemortgagebank.com/#
28. OKPECHI, A. (2018, September 14). Kano, A City Of Antiques and Culture. The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved from https://guardian.ng/life/kano-a-city-of-antiques-and-culture/
29. Paul, A. O., & Zango, M. S. (2014). DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE IN NIGERIA : A CASE STUDY OF HAUSA HOUSE FORM. International Journal of African Society Cultures and Traditions, 1(1), 61–74.
30. Porphyrios, D. (2006). Classicism is Not a Style. In Jencks, C. and K. Kropf, (Eds.), Theories and Manifestoes of Contemporary Architecture. 2nd Edn. (pp. 179–180). Sussex: John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
31. Ragatoa, D. S., Ogunjobi, K. O., Okhimamhe, A. A., Browne Klutse, N. A., & Lamptey, B. L. (2018). A predictive study of heat wave characteristics and their spatio-temporal trends in climatic zones of Nigeria. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 4(3), 1125–1151. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40808-018-0480-7
32. Rohracher, H., & Ornetzeder, M. (2002). Green Buildings in Context: Improving Social Learning Processes between Users and Producers. Built Environment: Sustainable Buildings: Meanings, Processes, Users, 28(1), 73–84. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/23288552
33. Scott Ewart. (2003). Hausa House One | Beautiful traditional Hausa relief work on… | Flickr. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from flickr website: https://www.flickr.com/photos/63446035@N00/308192332/
34. Soini, K., Battaglini, E., Birkeland, I., Duxbury, N., Fairclough, G., Horlings, L., & Dessein, J. (2015). Culture in, for and as sustainable development: Conclusions from the COST Action IS1007 Investigating Cultural Sustainability (G. F. and L. H. Joost Dessein, Katriina Soini, Ed.). Retrieved from https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/handle/123456789/50452/1/978-951-39-6177-0.pdf
35. Throsby, D. (2003). Economics and Culture 2001. In Economica (Vol. 70, pp. 572–573). https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0335.00005
36. Tubali. (2009). Hausa Architecture in Northern Nigeria - PREVIEW - YouTube. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_dMOYjmSS0
37. Tunde Ososanya. (2020, June). Hausa tribe is Africa’s largest ethnic group with 78m people. Retrieved January 25, 2022, from https://www.legit.ng/1333685-hausa-tribe-africas-largest-ethnic-group-78-million-people.html
38. Umar, G. K., Yusuf, D. A., Ahmed, A., & Usman, A. M. (2019). The practice of Hausa traditional architecture: Towards conservation and restoration of spatial morphology and techniques. Scientific African, 5, 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00142
39. Webby. (2002). Vegetation - OnlineNigeria.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021, from Online Nigeria website: https://onlinenigeria.com/links/adv.php?blurb=70
40. WordPress. (2021). What was Africa like before European imperialism? | Tony Seed’s Weblog. Retrieved January 26, 2022, from Hausa architecture (present day Northern Nigeria and Niger) website: https://tonyseed.wordpress.com/2021/06/08/what-was-africa-like-before-european-imperialism/
41. Wu, S. R., Fan, P., & Chen, J. (2015). Incorporating Culture Into Sustainable Development. Sustainable Development, 24(1), 64–76. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.1608
42. Zhang, R. H. (2011). Research on willingness to pay of the green building. Harbin: Harbin Institute of Technology (in Chinese).
43. Zhao, D., He, B., Johnson, C., & Mou, B. (2015). Social problems of green buildings : From the humanistic needs to social acceptance. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 51, 1594–1609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.07.072