International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391 Volume 6 Issue 11, November 2017 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Conservation, Traditional Architecture and Kano Ancient City Walls and Gates Zakari Abdullahi Tijjani 1 , Aisha Abdulkarim Aliyu 2 1 Department of Architecture, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil 2 Department of Architecture, Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse Abstract: This study examined the problems militating against the conservation of Hausa traditional architecture that involves a study of the Kano city ancient wall and gates. The purpose and significance of conserving the historic built environment were examined to clarify their validity to the study area while also evaluating the extent of decay of the walls and gates. Field surveys, interviews and observations were conducted and from the data collected it was revealed that walls and gates were rehabilitated in 2013/2014 and major parts of the ancient walls and gates are not in existence. The research concluded that the ancient city wall and gates are greatly threatened by destruction and gradually coming to complete extinction while conservation is the only way to prevent it. Finally, the Insurance of the historic structures promotion of tourism so as to generate revenue for the upkeep of the monuments amidst other were recommended. Keywords: Conservation, Traditional architecture, Kano ancient walls and gates. 1. Introduction Conservation of traditional architecture reinforces the five senses of quality communities, namely, sense of place, sense of identity, sense of evolution, sense of ownership and sense of community. The Kano city ancient wall is a historic structure of 19km circumference (Akinade, 2005) with fifteen gates. It has a broadly triangular overall shape which marks the boundary of ancient Kano city. The historical wall of monumental importance was built about a thousand years ago as a source of protection to the inhabitants of the ancient city at the time (Akinade, 2005) and it was declared a national monument by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in 1979. These City walls are like other historic buildings with pronounced characteristics of traditional architecture. However a combination of human activities, climate and other natural factors are rapidly bringing about decay of these city ancient walls and gates and without periodic maintenance, natural erosion accelerates the process even further. These problems are a threat to cultural heritage and traditional architecture.Feilden(2003) notes that our old traditional buildings differ from new ones in that they are expected to last forever.Contextually, 'forever' means as long as it is wanted. An historic building is one that, for various reasons, a society has decided shall be conserved for as long as possible. This study is concerned with the historic form of conservation, which involves the preservation and careful management of historic buildings with specific reference to city walls.From what has been observed the culture of Kano, as far as the ancient city gates are concerned have not been conserved, unlike the Great Wall of China, the most popular ancient wall and one of the most important monuments on earth, putting China on the world map and making it a very popular destination for tourists and researchers. Map of Kano city wall and gates Figure 1: Source: National Commission for Museum and Monuments (2004) If nothing is done to conserve these traditional features, then there are all possibilities they will be in total extinction. Francis (1986) observes that change is inevitable but in a place where old buildings have been swept away, people feel a sense of insecurity and continuity is lost forever. It is essential to keep some buildings of historic and architectural interest of all kinds and periods. John (1984) opines that a civilized environment should accommodate conservation and development in order to sustain continuity and rational discourse between architectural forms. This study analyzes the problems militating against the conservation of the Kano city ancient wall and gates and the prospects of conserving the wall and gates with a view to recommend better and more sustainable ways of preserving them. Paper ID: ART20177816 DOI: 10.21275/ART20177816 506