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

Year 2022, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 31 - 53, 31.12.2022

Mukhtar Sabıu Yahuza , Huriye Gürdallı

https://doi.org/10.32955/neujfa202342656

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

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