Change in the public space of traditional Hausa cities : a study of Zaria 1804-2004 AD

Abstract

The thesis examined change in the public space of traditional Hausa cities from 1804 to 2004 AD, with Zaria as a case study. The objectives of the research are to find out what changes have taken place in Zaria's public space from 1804 to 2004 and why the changes taken place in the way they did? The research arises from problems associated with rapid growth and change in the cities that include the prospects of the loss of traditional character and cultural history, urban servicing and social problems, general disaffection with the outcome of change, and the need for infonnation to support intervention. The focus on public space arises from the perception of its importance for cities and of a gap in research on the subject in the traditional Hausa cities. The research adopted a five-dimensional approach, with public space viewed as material space with a social and symbolic dimension, situated within a cultural setting with both public space and cultural setting in a process of dynamic change. A model was developed linking all the dimensions, based on which a framework of issues and questions was developed for use in examining the case study. The research employed both documentary research and fieldwork in data sourcing. Public space was examined in three periods; the jihad, colonial and post-colonial. The identification of change focused on examining and identifying variations in the material, social and symbolic dimensions of public space with time. The explanation of change focused on establishing a link between changes in public space with broader cultural transformation as is manifested in the political, social, economic and symbolic structures of society. The study identified specific changes in the physical, social and symbolic dimensions of Zaria's public space in the period 1804 to 2004, and explanatory theories were advanced to account for the way the changes occurred based on cultural transformation patterns. The study found that public space has changed gradually and incrementally within the period studied. Change was found to initially be slow, but assumed a faster pace in the later part of the post-colonial period and is now affecting the city's traditional character. The study found that change in public space can be explained through linkage with concurrent cultural transfonnation taking place in a society. The study established that Zaria had never had any significant planning intervention and this was reflected in visible problems in the public space of the city. Some recommendations for intervention are advanced.