Analysis of Spatial Types and Social Space in Ile-Ife Domestic Architecture

This paper focuses on the diachronic development of spatial morphologies in Yoruba domestic architecture (SW Nigeria) and the social rules implicit in domestic space use, utilizing data about the households, and activity and object locations. The results presented revolve around how activities (and objects) ‘spill over’ designated boundaries within the domestic space, the impact of activities and objects on the specialized or non-specialized use of space, and the intensity of focus on each space label as the conventional location for activities and objects. Six spatial types were identified, and a ‘core’ set of function/space labels was found in each type, although these have ‘expanded’ in the newer types, partly in response to new connotations of privacy. Many activities and objects were consistently shown to have flexible boundaries, thereby having an effect on space specialization. Newer geometric types were characterized by slightly increased specialized use of certain space labels (although the prevalent pattern was non-specialization), and a modest reduction in the degree of extensibility, and intensity of focus. The study demonstrated that there are stronger points of continuity than difference between the spatial types

The Orowa House:A Typology of Traditional Yoruba Architecture in Ile-Ife,Nigeria

Beyond generic descriptions of Nigerian traditional architecture as ‘adobe walls, domes, courtyards and overhanging hipped roofs’, or in response to the oft-posed question: What exactly is Indigenous Nigerian Architecture? This paper presents a spatial typology from Ile-Ife town core area. The study identified the distinctive features of the traditional Ile-Ife Orowa House; key function spaces e.g. the Orowa (central hall), a comprehensive pattern of space use in the dwelling, the organizational (spatial) criteria, and morphological characteristics using Hillier and Hanson (1984) Space Syntax methods. Key spatial relationships between the core functional spaces in the Orowa house that define its morphology were identified, which extend beyond the descriptive studies of Yoruba traditional domestic architecture more regularly found in existing literature. The use of space syntax allowed for measurable analyses of the twenty-four houses surveyed, and contributes to the documentation of traditional dwellings in Nigeria. While differences in space use pattern exist between the Orowa house and contemporary houses found in the larger sample from which this paper is derived, some space use patterns persist in both; indicative of a ‘Nigerian’ or at least a Yoruba way of living that survives in newer architectural form

Using the Home for Income Generation:-Home Based Enterprises and Implications for Housing Policy in Nigeria

Several housing types were surveyed in Osun and Ogun States, South West Nigeria, in two studies focusing on housing design and domestic space use. These types- public and private sector housing (multiple and single household dwellings) - provided real opportunities to investigate the prevalence of the use of dwellings for commercial activities. The results of the analysis of 612 households showed that despite differences in the educational and cultural ‘capital’ that generally result in distinct differences in domestic practices, the use of the domestic dwelling for small scale commercial and business activities remains a prevailing component of Yoruba housing. This was most prominent in dwellings occupied by low and average income residents. The findings suggest the need for architects/designers, planners and policy makers to focus on its implications for housing policies and architectural and urban design solutions; particularly in relation to housing schemes aimed at lower income earners. Consequently, this paper proposes policy options and design solutions that accommodate home based enterprises within the domestic domai

HOME-BASED ENTERPRISES: IMPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING AND URBAN PLANNING IN NIGERIA

There is increasing recognition of the role home-based enterprises (HBEs) play in the socioeconomic development of cities in developing countries. However, there appears to be a limited understanding of how housing designers and urban planners can provide support for HBEs in developing countries to help ensure their survival. Data derived from two separate surveys of 160 and 517 households in the urban areas of the states of Osun and Ogun, Nigeria, were used to examine the prevalence of HBEs and how housing providers and urban planners can respond to urban residents’ need for HBEs. The findings show that, despite the differences in educational and cultural capital that generally result in distinct differences in domestic practices, the use of domestic dwellings for small-scale commercial activities remains a prevailing component of housing in the study area. The HBEs in this study were predominantly small-scale retail businesses found in dwellings occupied by mostly low- and average-income households. The study explored the implications of HBEs for housing and urban planning and concluded that an integrated approach involving the use of design and planning strategies by housing designers and urban planners is needed to integrate HBEs with domestic spaces while mitigating their potential negative effects on the environment, economy, and societ

Delivering Affordable Dwellings for Key Workers: The Shared-Ownership Option in Sub-Saharan Africa

Achieving „value for money‟ is a main concern on housing construction projects particularly for average income earners employed in key sectors such as the police force, education, and healthcare. This paper reviews a yet uncommon way of delivering dwelling units for this category of „Key workers’. The scheme-Shared-Ownership- allows the end user to engage in a staged (gradual) process of ownership (Stair-casing), and has proved to be a viable option for providing housing units in the United Kingdom mainly via housing associations. The scheme can be a viable option in the urban African affordable housing market, with a main proviso; that its adaptation must be compatible with the operation of small scale property developers. Its success rests on the premises that a) Governments motivate financing institutions to develop mortgages more suited to the financial capability of this range of salaried workers and b) Maintenance programmes via the use of service charges are incorporated into the legal documentation for the sale/rental of such units. This paper argues that the shared-ownership model has real potential and can be suitably adapted to various scales of housing developers, and significantly, facilitates a gradual ownership proces

REWORKING TRADITIONAL FUND RAISING INSTITUTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVISION: A REVIEW OF NIGERIAN AND KENYAN CASE-STUDIES

Traditional fundraising institutions such as Esusu Cooperatives in South-West Nigeria and the Harambee system in Kenya have been a vital source of capital formation for low income earners. This paper examines traditional and contemporary funding systems, and proposes alternative strategies for addressing funding challenges that confront low-income earners, by reviewing existing literature related to funding systems in Nigeria and Kenya. Harambee schemes have been successfully deployed in the education sector in Kenya, and similarly, many models of the credit and thrift cooperatives that exist in Nigeria (particularly those based on the Esusu system), have provided improved access to loans and credit for low income earners. It is argued that the advantages of these traditional schemes which rely fundamentally on community collaboration can be successfully utilised in the delivery of housing projects. In conclusion, the financial benefits enjoyed in the Esusu and Harambee systems can be successfully harnessed in the delivery of small and medium-sized housing schemes via housing cooperatives and other finance institutions in urban locations, by focusing on loan default minimization and elimination of collaterals

Space use Pattern and Building Morphology in Yoruba and Benin

This paper presents a meta-analysis of three studies of traditional and contemporary dwellings from Benin City, and Ile-ife ,in South-West Nigeria. The first sturdy investigated the relationship between activity pattern in Ile-ife dwellings and spatail morphology, study 2 focused on culinary related activities within the domestic space, drawn from another Ile-ife sample, and the third study, on the spatial morphology of Benin domestic architecture, and meaning in space use....

Influences on Artistic Expression in Traditional Domestic Architecture of South West Nigeria

Over the years, art in its various forms has played a vital role in the lives of African people. It served as a major form of communicative expression of religious beliefs and sociocultural norms of the people. Its form, presentation and significance however, varied from one cultural setting to another. This paper examines art in the context of domestic architecture of indigenous people of South West Nigeria and factors that have influenced its transformation. The paper notes the disappearance of the rich meaning-laden traditional motifs and symbols from contemporary housing and their replacement with more contemporary art forms influenced by several forces including colonialism, expatriation of slaves and more recent forces of globalisation and industrial mass production. It concludes that the current trend presents an architecture that is devoid of cultural architectural uniqueness and identity. One of the implications identified is for architectural curricula to incorporate indigenous themes that will help architects produce domestic architecture that have contextual relevance. Data for the paper was collected through literature review and the qualitative research method using interviews and observations of houses in the study area. Those interviewed included professional architects and residents in the study area. Data was content analysed to highlight emerging common themes

The Role of HIV/AIDS Prevention Campaigns on HIV Related Behavioural Changes in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined the impact of sources of AIDS education on HIV-related behavioural changes, and its implications for HIV prevention and service delivery in Nigeria. We analysed cross-sectional data obtained from a structured face-to-face interview with 1,373 respondents aged 15-50, who have ever had sex in Ibadan, Nigeria. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, its route of transmission and prevention strategies was high.  About 20 % of the respondents were exposed to the AIDS prevention campaigns. A majority reported sexual behavioral changes, which included restriction of sex partners, use of condoms, sexual abstinence and avoidance of casual sex. Thirty-nine percent took some steps to reduce risk of infection by avoiding transfusion with unscreened blood and testing for HIV status.  Using multiple logistic regressions, the factors affecting the reported changes were identified. The application of health belief model shows that the model cannot wholly explain the changes in behavior. The role of female powerlessness in safer sex decision-making is noted. Despite the limitations of the study, the need for a sustained AIDS prevention campaign is stressed. The implications of the study for AIDS programs and research are highlighted

Innovations in the Teaching of Architectural Studio: The Covenant Experience

Architectural design is the process through which the architect attempts to capture his thoughts and present it in a form that others can see. There are basically two methods of architectural design, namely the black box and the glass box methods. While the black box method is mainly intuitive, the glass box employs logically derived data for design. Various schools of architecture adopt either of these methods in training their students. This paper reports on the outcome of a homegrown combination of both methods adopted in the teaching of architectural design to second year architectural students in a private university in Nigeria. Data has been collected over a period of four years from the students involved through questionnaires and interviews. This has been complimented by discussions with the tutors involved. Results indicate that this innovative method provides a strong theoretical and analytical background for the students design projects while opening them opportunities to explore their creative potentials. The major challenges, however, are that the process is more demanding on the part of both the students and tutors and requires more contact hours between both groups