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.
Highlights
All the respondents have attained the minimum training of diploma in professions relevant to heritage management and conservation
The findings revealed that heritage professionals have concerns about the amount of data that will be produced if innovative technologies were implemented and the performance of conservation interventions
Architectural heritage conservation in Nigeria is not effectively practiced compared to developed countries and it is still rooted in only traditional methods of conservation to the exclusion of innovative techniques
Summary
Architectural heritage of Nigeria encompasses buildings with cultural, historical, aesthetic, religious, or economic significance inherited from past generations. It consists of vernacular architecture, colonial architecture, Brazilian/Afro-Brazilian architecture, and post-colonial architecture. These buildings were constructed with a combination of artistry and craftsmanship in different parts of the country Some of these buildings have been declared national monuments [1], while some are on the proposed list of national monuments. They are made of different materials, such as clay (including adobe), wood (timber), metal, brass, palm fronds, date palm, raffia, and stone [2]. Nigeria’s architectural heritage is significant and valuable and, demands innovative conservation to preserve it for present and future generations
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