The Impact of Rainfall on The Conservation of Traditional Nigerian Heritage Buildings: A Case Study of the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA), Jos (Published)
Advancements in building construction technology and the advent of foreign materials that came with Nigeria’s colonial and post-colonial periods led to the mass abandonment of traditional buildings for a “contemporary” option. The need to preserve the nation’s architectural heritage led to the establishment of the Museum of Traditional Architecture (MOTNA). Within the museum are life-size replicas of various traditional buildings across the country. Studies, observations, and documentaries reveal how the longevity and functionality of indigenous Nigerian buildings have been altered by weather elements such as precipitation and relative humidity. This study investigates the impact rainfall has on the conservation of traditional heritage buildings over time. Four buildings that together represent the bioclimatic zones in Nigeria were selected through purposeful sampling. Heritage buildings were investigated through the case study/observation method. The studies revealed that all heritage buildings were significantly affected by the effects of rainfall due to their design morphology and material usage. The investigation concluded that the conservation of Nigerian traditional heritage buildings can be unusually challenging. This is because most local building materials are susceptible to the effects of rainfall and require frequent replacement, which might be against conservation laws.
Citation: Mela I. and Cao Y. (2023) The Impact of Rainfall on The Conservation of Traditional Nigerian Heritage Buildings: A Case Study of the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA), Jos, British Journal of Environmental Sciences, Vol.11, No.1, pp.,11-33
Keywords: Conservation, Preservation, Rainfall, Traditional Architecture, heritage buildings
Ganga Deterioration and Conservation of Its Sanctity (Published)
River Ganga (Ganges) of India has been held in high esteem since time immemorial and Hindus from all over the world cherish the idea of a holy dip in the river under the faith that by doing so they will get rid of their sins of life. The Ganges River Pollution is now at such a high level that the amount of toxins, chemicals and other dangerous bacteria found in the river are now almost 3000 times over the limit suggested by the WHO as ‘safe’. Gall bladder cancer along the course of the river are the second highest in the world while incidences of prostate cancer are the highest in the country. In place of the present practice of allowing treated sewage into the river, the policy of zero discharge into the river be adopted promoting Reuse and Recycle of wastewater after treatment up to tertiary-level.
Keywords: Conservation, Ganga Deterioration, Sanctity