Architectural Heritage Conservation in Nigeria: The Need for Innovative Techniques

Abstract

Architectural heritage conservation in recent years has hinged on conventional methods and has failed to recognize innovative methods and emerging technologies. Consequently, in Nigeria, suboptimal conservation work results in the continual deterioration of architectural heritage, leading to the loss of heritage and its values and significance. The study, therefore, sought to examine challenges and prospects for implementing innovative techniques in the conservation of architectural heritage in Nigeria. The study examined three heritage conservation interventions in Nigeria, focusing on the applicability of innovative conservation methods for documentation, diagnosis, and treatment of deterioration of architectural heritage. Questionnaires were administered through purposive sampling to 40 heritage conservation professionals, with 31 (77.5%) completed and returned for analysis. A Cronbach’s alpha reliability test value of 0.76 established the validity of the research instrument. The findings affirmed that heritage professionals have low familiarity (mean value of 2.19) with innovative techniques for conservation of architectural heritage. Of the respondents, 41.9% had gained a minimal level of technical knowledge of how to implement innovative techniques in conservation interventions. Improving the performance of conservation interventions also ranked highly as a potential strength of implementing innovative techniques. Conclusively, there is a need to improve advocacy and training in innovative conservation techniques based on their ability to characterize architectural heritage materials and investigate their chemical composition, microstructure, and morphological features.

Quest for an Innovative Methodology for Retrofitting Urban Built Heritage: An Assessment of Some Historic Buildings in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

“…X-ray diffraction verifies the structure of natural compounds and the nature of a crystalline compound as well [36]. Nevertheless, it is avoided in some cases because of its destructive nature [7]. Some novel molecular-based diagnostic methods adopted in cultural heritage preservation include omics: genomics and proteomics.…”

“…Documentation techniques include surveying heritage buildings and recording the elements required for visualization of the reflected subject to be handed to the conservationist. Such documentation methods entail observation, recording, and unveiling the data [7]. Documentation is, simply put, recording and visualization methods [22] (see Figure 4).…”

“…These buildings were built in the midst of creativity and expertise in various regions of the country. A number of these buildings have been pronounced national monuments [6], whilst some are on the waiting list [7]. They are made from materials, such as wood, brass, clay/mud, stone, palm fronds, metal, raffia, and date palm [8].…”

“…Until now, heritage conservation studies have focused on the mundane preservation strategies that failed to harness the inventive preservation methods of emerging tech-nologies or the innovative past approaches because those studies skipped degradation evaluation and analysis before making recommendations. Although the study by [7] proffers innovative technologies and advances afforded by new knowledge, it does not explore early or traditional knowledge of conservation practice alongside modern urban development. This study identifies this gap.…”

Comparative Study of <span aria-describedby="tippy-20">Deterioration in Built Heritage in a Coastal Area: Barbanza Peninsula (Galicia, NW of Spain)

“…2 abundant in the last 30 year focused on the characterization of materials and deterioration processes regarding the lithology, decay mechanisms, causes and restoration procedures [7,8,9,10,11,12].…”