Desegregated Categorisation of Architectural Heritage in Selected Cultural Landscapes of North-West Nigeria

Abstract

The paper explored the conventional understanding of Architectural Heritage (AH) for recontextualisation. Presently, AH primarily focuses on the built aspects of heritage within the framework of the Authorized Heritage Discourse (AHD). However, in the context of contemporary discourse and a shift towards Afrocentric heritage conservation and sustainability, there is a need to reevaluate and reclassify architectural heritages for holistic interpretation that ensures relevance and practical management in Sub-Regions and Africa as a whole. The study specifically examines indigenous African cultural landscape sites of North-West Nigeria, where heritage features integrate tangible and intangible elements as a strategy for continuum for sustenance. Using a constructive philosophy and a theoretical understanding of the value of significant places in heritage discourse, the researchers identified key architectural features and recategorize them. The study employed the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) technique, specifically the Multi-Attribute Value Theory (MAVT) method with ANOVA test, for data analysis. The findings revealed the presence of both tangible and intangible heritage features across the selected sites. Hypothesis indicated significant difference in desegregated categorisation of architectural heritage features within cultural landscapes sites. The architectural heritage features were further recategorized into four layers; progressing from the ‘most dominantly’ visible layer, to the ‘dominant’ course, then ‘supportive’ underlayers and lastly the ‘least dominant’ practices. Study concluded that architectural heritage resources are diverse and extended beyond traditionally defined categories within the studied sites. Identified features layers challenges existing typologies and encouraged reconceptualization based on a multilayered approach. Therefore, the unique attributes of indigenous settlements features needed to be recognised and adapted for transgenerational heritage management. The study recommends further investigation into the transitional nature of the desegregated and reclassified architectural heritage layers by heritage experts. Recategorization of architectural heritage within cultural landscapes of indigenous communities has the possibility to stimulate sustainable cultural landscapes management in Nigeria.