Abdulmalik, Halima <br/><br/>
LOSS OF VERNACULAR IDENTITY AND CULTURAL  VALUES IN NORTHERN NIGERIA’S  ARCHITECTURE / 
 AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY OF  KATSINA, KANO AND ZARIA RESIDENTIAL  BUILDINGS 
HALIMA ABDULMALIK; SUPERVISOR: ASST. PROF. DR. YASEMIN MESDA 
 - xiii, 115 sheets;  31 cm.  Includes CD 
<br/><br/>Thesis (MArch) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Architecture Department 
<br/><br/>Includes bibliography (sheets 107-115) 
<br/><br/> ABSTRACT<br/>The reflection and preservation of many indigenous society’s cultural history, values, <br/>customs, and meaning are all influenced by the profound role of vernacular identity. <br/>However, because of the socioeconomic conditions in which they exist, the built <br/>environment of these indigenous societies has evolved over time and become more <br/>hybrid and has lost much of its vernacular identity and cultural values. The purpose <br/>of this study is to investigate and understand the important role that the built <br/>environment plays in reviving our perceptions of the lost values and identity that <br/>once defined our societies. The advent of current modern architecture has resulted in <br/>the loss of vernacular identity and cultural values of residential buildings in the <br/>northern Nigerian towns of Katsina, Kano, and Zaria. Cultural values and customs in <br/>these cities date back centuries, through pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial <br/>periods. Numerous studies have examined the important role that vernacular identity <br/>has in expressing the values, norms, and meanings of these various societies. In <br/>accordance with the structure study of the case study research methodology, this <br/>research used qualitative and quantitative research methods and <br/>employed exploratory techniques, based on the use of observation and case study <br/>analysis of residential buildings in (Katsina, Kano and Zaria cities). The analysis of <br/>the selected case studies was performed with respect to the tangible and <br/>intangible factors that either directly or indirectly determined the vernacular identity <br/>and cultural values in their respective contexts. The scope of the research is confined <br/>to the loss of vernacular identity and cultural values of the built environment of the <br/>selected case studies as each society has its cultural values and architectural identity. <br/>Four variables for analysis were employed from the developed theoretical framework <br/>namely; plan characteristic, façade characteristic, decoration element, building <br/>materials and construction technique. In Katsina, Kano and Zaria cities, all the <br/>residential buildings concerning the spatial configuration of spaces have some <br/>relations to the Hausa vernacular architecture and in terms of privacy have a direct <br/>link with the sociocultural values and norms of the Hausa society, but most physical <br/>aspects of the buildings while making different interpretations have no relation to the <br/>Hausa vernacular architecture, cultural values and identity. In conclusion, vernacular<br/>identity and cultural values are not completely lost in northern Nigeria. The results <br/>have verified that colonization and modernization have altered the identity and <br/>culture of the urban built environment of northern Nigeria.<br/>Keywords: Built Environment; Cultural Values; Kano; Katsina; Vernacular Identity;<br/>Zaria 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Built environment--Nigeria--Dissertations, Academic<br/>Dwellings--Nigeria