Cultural metamorphosis, building traditions and search for architectural identity in Africa- a case study of South Western Nigeria

Cultural metamorphosis refers to the major and subtle changes that occur within a society. These changes may be desirous or not. Culture has to do with the beliefs of the people, which may be tangible or intangible. Culture and human development are actively related. The culture of a group of people has several distinguishing characteristics; it is based on symbol, it is both shared and learned, and it is usually socially inherited with far reaching consequences on the way and manner of living of an individual. Culture also has to do with the way of life of a people; it may be material or non material type. The material culture has some aspect reflected in the historical buildings and carved wooden objects, which form essential parts of the traditional built environment. There is a general consensus among mainstream anthropologists that human first emerge in Africa about two million years ago. Since then man have spread throughout the world, successfully adapting to widely climate and to periodic cataclysmic changes in local and global climate. This led to the emergence around the globe remarkably different societies with differing cultures, and these cultural differences persist to the present time. The comprehensive process of societal change resulted into different physical development of the environment across the globe; these changes are referred to in this paper as cultural metamorphosis. It is debatable whether these differences are merely incidental artifacts arising from patterns of human migrations or whether they represent an evolutionary trait that offers an explanation to her success as specie. This paper critically examines the historical antecedent of some Yoruba communities in south western Nigeria; with respect to their cultural identities, heritages, monuments and architectural patterns. This will help to comprehend the rate of changes that occurred from the past 50 years, in order to elicit vital lessons useful for the present in a drive towards a sustainable environment

Sustainable architecture and food production: impact of modernity on the traditional urban form

Architecture in any period has often been a reflection of the sociological, cultural, economic and technological aspects of its development. Though it has been argued that Africa has no recorded history in the written form, but evidences persist of the rich culture of the different tribes that makes up the constituent of its inhabitants. This paper examines some of these socio-cultural factors that impinge on the historical traditional forms and architectural system in sub-Saharan Africa, by considering the pattern of food production and consumption. It also examines in particular existing relationship between architecture and food consumption that affect the sustainable built form found in south west Nigeria. The paper is thus an endeavor to discuss the connections, interrelationships and benefits of these concepts in the evolving modern socio-cultural views on Africa. The paper report a recent field survey carried out in the study area, based on quantitative and qualitative methodology. Sizeable numbers of questionnaire are administered to the target population, using stratified random sampling method in order to elicit primary data; with 76 percent response rate from the respondent. The survey and interview conducted highlights a number of observations and conclusion of the relationship between food production activities and its role in city development or formation

Reflections on the Impact of Urban Sprawl on the Architecture of the City: Lessons from Benin City, Nigeria

This paper focuses on Benin City, Nigeria, as a case study to explore urban sprawl and its associated problems resulting from unplanned and uncontrolled spatial expansion. Informal settlements house approximately 45% of Nigeria's urban population, leading to a range of land and environmental challenges. The study investigates how sustainable development goals can be realized through efficient sustainable planning and urban design concepts, with a focus on managing urban sprawl in the city. The methodology comprises a literature review, field investigation of unplanned or squatter settlements in a selected part of Benin City through the administration of 201 questionnaires, and an analysis of its developments and physical transformations. Understanding the issues of urban sprawl arising from the rapid spatial expansion of Benin City is crucial for achieving a well-organized, planned, orderly, and sustainable environment. This paper provides valuable insights and information to facilitate effective urban planning in the study area. Additionally, it offers guidance to practitioners and developers on the adoption of sustainability measures in their projects. The findings of this study contribute to expanding the knowledge horizon and serve as a reference for further research on spatial expansion and the incidence of sprawl in urban centers throughout Nigeria

Memory, Discontinuity and Sustainable Knowledge Forms: Recasting Museum Practice in Postcolonial Nigeria

The visible history of our past is best preserved in museums. In addition to this, the museum represents a place of study; a resort of the learned, an institution or repository for the collection of exhibition and study of objects or artistic, scientific, historic or educational interest. In contemporary Nigeria, Museums serve as a repository for preserving and conserving objects that were hitherto kept in shrines, homes and palaces. The paper recasts this discontinuity for its contemporary utility.  It locates the genealogy of museums in their relation to secular and immaterial expressions of power. This is shown in the symbiotic relationship between the palaces as representations of power and history and museums as expressions of the image history of the people in some parts of Nigeria. It also reviews the problems involved in the contemporary management of these museums. Suggestions, recommendations and ways of improvement are also expressed in the discourse. This is done with particular reference to the Museum of National Unity located in Akure, Ondo State of Nigeria, which has under its auspices, the petroglyph at Igbara-Oke and the Deji’s palace at Akure declared national monuments in 1963 and 1990 respectively. Keywords: African architectural conservation; historic building; intangible and tangible cultural heritage; Nigeria; palace-museum; petroglyphs. DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/82-07 Publication date: November 30th 202

Evidence-Based Design of University Zoological Gardens: A Perception Study in South-west Nigeria

Evidence-based design (EBD) has become an accepted paradigm in environment-behaviour endeavours in recent years with documented benefits, especially in healthcare facilities. However, little is known of its application to University Campus Open Spaces (UCOS) like University Zoological Gardens (UZGs) which accounts for the repetition of design mistakes. This study aims to assess the UZGs as a major component of UCOS in South-west Nigeria with a view to formulating EBD frameworks. It adopts a comparative post-occupancy evaluation (POE) approach through a Stratified Random Sampling protocol of users (n=3,016) of the gardens in Federal Universities in South-west Nigeria. Results of the quantitative data analyses suggest that while walk-ability is a primary satisfaction factor among thirty design considerations in the formulated model, legibility is the most primary cognitive factor for designing perceptible high-quality UZGs. The study argues in favour of the developed framework as design tool-kit and recommends its application as a feed-back input into the design process of UZGs

Exploring New Directions for the Transformation of the Built Environment in Nigeria: The Role of Building Information Modeling

Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers an alternative and better method of handling information for integrated project delivery approach to that of the traditional fragmented method of collaboration in the built environment. This paper is aimed at assessing the awareness and the prospects of adopting BIM in the professional Architectural practices in Nigeria using Akure as a case study. The rate of urbanisation and transformation of the built environment in the face of globalisation, calls for a new direction in the processing and handling of building information. This is particularly necessary as the current business model is inadequate for maximum productivity. The field investigation focused on determining the current business model of selected Architectural practice as well as assessing their awareness of Building Information Modelling and whether or not professionals are going to adopt it soon. The findings showed that the method of collaboration among professionals remain fragmented, the use of 3D software and even BIM software is limited to just 3D visualization and plan details. The study revealed that despite a good number of respondents already conscious of the benefit of using a BIM tool; their overall approach to project delivery remains fragmented. Awareness of the concept of BIM was a little above average among respondents but BIM implementation in professional practice is very low. It was discovered that challenges faced by respondents in the adoption of BIM is predicated on the attitudinal disposition of other professionals with whom they work and exchange building information with. These professionals do not work with BIM and coupled with inadequate knowledge of staff in the adoption of BIM workflow. The paper concluded that Building Information Modelling (BIM) has greater advantage than the existing traditional practice involving 2D drafting. BIM also has the inherent ability to foster integrated project delivery by creating a common platform for all professionals to work simultaneously on a project thereby minimising costly design and construction errors. Keywords: Architectural practices, Building Information Modelling (BIM), collaboration, construction, urban transformations

Evidence-Based Design of University Zoological Gardens: a Perception Study in South-west Nigeria

Evidence-based design (EBD) has become an acceptable paradigm in environment-behaviour endeavours in recent years with documented benefits especially in healthcare facilities. However, little is known of its application to University Campus Open Spaces (UCOS) like University Zoological Gardens (UZGs) which accounts for the repetition of design mistakes. This study aims to assess the UZGs as a major component of UCOS in South-west Nigeria with a view to formulating EBD frameworks. It adopts a comparative post-occupancy evaluation (POE) approach through a Stratified Random Sampling protocol of users (n=3,016) of the gardens in Federal Universities in South-west Nigeria. Results of the quantitative data analyses suggest that while walk-ability is a primary satisfaction factor among thirty design considerations in the formulated model, legibility is the most primary cognitive factor for designing perceptible high quality UZGs. The study argues in favour of the developed framework as design tool-kit and recommends its application as a feed-back input into the design process of UZGs