Analysis of the Sustainability Elements of Vernacular Architecture in Northern Togo: The Case of the Kara Region
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study AREA
2.2. Data Sampling and Processing
3. Analysis and Results
3.1. Vernacular Architecture in the Kara Region
3.1.1. Kabiyè Vernacular Architecture (KVA)
- Description
- Way of living
- Materials and construction system
3.1.2. Nawdéba Vernacular Architecture (NVA)
- Description
- Way of living
- Materials and construction system
3.2. The Causes and Consequences of the Evolution from Vernacular Earth or Stone Architecture to Contemporary Architecture
3.2.1. The Causes of the Evolution of Vernacular Architecture
- Socio-economic factors
- Historical factor and external influences
- Ecological factors
- Political factors
3.2.2. The Consequences of the Evolution of Vernacular Architecture
3.3. Assessing the Sustainability of Vernacular Architecture in the Kara Region
- Environmental pillar
- Socio-cultural pillar
- Socio-economic pillar
4. Discussions
4.1. Environmental Pillar
4.2. Socio-Economic Pillar
4.3. Socio-Cultural Pillar
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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INVENTORY OF VERNACULAR CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES IN THE KARA REGION | |||
---|---|---|---|
Synthesis of Typologies | KABIYE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE (KVA) | NAWDEBA VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE (NVA) | CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE (CA) |
Physical context Type of implementation | |||
Architecture developed in the mountains | Architecture developed in the plains | Regular subdivision plan | |
Type of construction | |||
Circular or organic organization | Circular or organic organization | Rectangular or rigid organization | |
Circular or organic organization | Circular or organic organization | Rectangular or rigid organization | |
Type of boxes that form the concession | |||
Circular huts/Stone foundation/Earthen (adobe or block) walls (bauge)/Vegetal roof/Height of the buildings varies from 3.5 to 5 m. | Circular huts/Stone foundation/Stone walls/Vegetal roof/Height of the buildings varies from 3.5 to 5 m. | Rectangular huts/Concrete foundation/Cement blocks walls/Metal roof/Height of the buildings varies from 3 to 4 m. |
SYNTHESIS OF CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exterior Design | Basement | Type of Wall | Doors and Windows | Immaterial Elements | Decorative Elements | Framework and Roofing | Interior Design Element | |
KABIYE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE (KVA) | ||||||||
Exterior design | Basement | Type of wall | Doors and windows | Immaterial elements | Decorative elements | Framework and roofing | Interior design element | |
NAWDEBA VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE (NVA) |
Regions | Peoples | Prefecture | Population | Number of Households Surveyed |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kara | Kabiyè | Kozah (Tchitchao, Tcharè, Avandjelo and Yaka villages) | 283,783 | 85 |
Binah (Kpagouda, Somsiah, Koukoude and Farende villages) | 84,199 | 20 | ||
Nawdéba | Doufelgou (Tenega, Natoun and Baga villages) | 84,767 | 20 | |
452,749 | 125 |
KVA | NVA | CA | 1. Respect for Nature | KVA | NVA | CA | 2. Adaptation to the Site | KVA | NVA | CA | 3. Pollution and Waste Reduction | KVA | NVA | CA | 4. Contribution to the Improvement of Health, Well-Being and Comfort | KVA | NVA | CA | 5. Reduction of the Effects of Natural Hazards | KVA | NVA | CA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Environmental pillar | Integration (building and green spaces that follow the topography) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Topography (adapt to the terrain) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Recovery of parts of the structure | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Good quality sound materials | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Aerodynamics in the shape of the elements of the frame | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | |||
Harmony (Materials that integrate the environment/architecture integrates its environment) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Geology (Presence of troglodyte construction) | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Reuse of materials | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Hygrothermal control through the choice of materials | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Reduced flood consequences (High threshold gate, stilt construction) | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | ||||
Biodiversity (Taking into account natural elements in favour of fauna and flora) | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Orientation (Advantage of the place to protect the building) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Recycling (limit losses in modifications) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Thermal insulation through the choice of materials | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Embankment or water filtration system and protection of groundwater resources (presence of topsoil to filter water before it reaches rivers) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Sense of place (building in a protected area) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Thermal inertia of the ground (Presence of subsoil) | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Rehabilitation (facilitated by materials) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Devices to improve comfort (on windows or in walls) | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Channelling of torrents (for field work) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Minimal intervention (simplicity in the use of materials) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Presence of wind protection device (orientation or presence of trees) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Local materials (local availability of materials) | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Natural ventilation | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Seismic elements | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | ||||
Reintegration (materials used can return to nature at the end of the cycle) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Adaptation of materials to climate | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Use of natural materials with little or no processing | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Natural lighting | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Enhanced stability | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | ||||
Unaltered morphology (building integrated into the natural element, habitat in the tree or in a cave) | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Presence of watercourse adaptation device (Gate with high threshold, construction on stilts) | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Reduced use of machinery in material work | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Plant shade | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Windscreens | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Minimal impact (Footprint reduced by occupying space) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Taking into account the water table through humidity control devices (Use of waterproof products) | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Reduced transport | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Buffer spaces (presence of terraces, passageways, illuminated corridors, etc.) | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Breakwater (Wave Protection) | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | ||||
Notation/15 | 11.625 | 11.625 | 2.25 | 2.625 | 2.625 | 0.375 | 1.875 | 1.875 | 0.375 | 3 | 3 | 0.375 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 0.75 | 1.875 | 1.875 | 0.375 | |||||
6. Protection of the cultural landscape | KVA | NVA | CA | 7. Transfer of constructive cultures | KVA | NVA | CA | 8. Promotion and stimulation of creativity | KVA | NVA | CA | 9. Recognition and enhancement of intangible values | KVA | NVA | CA | 10. Promotion of social cohesion | KVA | NVA | CA | ||||
Socio-cultural pillar | Culture/terrasse | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Identity | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Intelligence collective | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Collective memory | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Pedestrian spaces | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | |||
Salt marshes | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Know-how | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Experimentation (use of materials) | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Cultural identity | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Arcades | ⮽ | ⮽ | ☑ | ||||
Fence | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Expression of the profession | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Ingenuity | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Attachment to place | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Integration into the neighbourhood | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Protective walls for crops | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Maintaining culture | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Dexterity (ease of execution, less pressure) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Symbolic representation | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Co-responsible maintenance | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Canals (for field work) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Constructive memory | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Diversified solutions (material mixing) | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Sacredness | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Convivial spaces | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Ponds (depending on the morphology of the site) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Adaptation to local resources | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Wealth | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Meeting Spaces for the Community | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Design of public spaces | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Valleys of Cultures | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Responding to the social needs and aspirations of targeted groups | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Beauty | ⮽ | ⮽ | ☑ | Peace and well-being | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Mutual aid | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Dikes and harbours | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Evolution | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Singularity | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | History and mythology | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Shared equipment | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | ||||
Notation/15 | 13.125 | 13.125 | 4.875 | 1.875 | 1.875 | 0.375 | 3 | 3 | 1.125 | 2.625 | 2.625 | 1.875 | 3 | 3 | 0.375 | 2.625 | 2.625 | 1.125 | |||||
11. Empowering local people | KVA | NVA | CA | 12. Promotion of local activities | KVA | NVA | CA | 13. Optimization of construction efforts | KVA | NVA | CA | 14. Extending the life of buildings | KVA | NVA | CA | 15. Saving and Safeguarding Resources | KVA | NVA | CA | ||||
Socio-economic pillar | Auto-contruction | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Local production | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Appropriate intervention scale corresponding to the needs (optimal use of space or presence of multi-purpose space) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Efficiency of habitat protection systems (gutters; plasters; etc.) | ⮽ | ☑ | ☑ | Compacted organization of habitats on the territory | ⮽ | ⮽ | ☑ | |||
Integrated housing and production | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Local processing | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Optimized use of materials (use of materials as taken from nature) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Simplifying the service and maintenance process | ⮽ | ☑ | ☑ | Shared property and buildings in the community | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | ||||
Collection and storage | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Skilled labour from the community for local construction work | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Technical simplicity in construction (affordability) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Use of solid elements with increased strength | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Sober construction (low cost and long-term viability of the project) | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Conservation areas | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Products of recognized quality | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Presence of common areas shared by several members of the community | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Use of easily replaceable elements | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Use of renewable energies | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | ||||
Domestic breeding | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Use of locally produced energy with respect to industries involved in construction | ⮽ | ⮽ | ⮽ | Reduction in the amount of building materials | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Scalable construction | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Use of energy loss reduction systems | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Integrated vegetable gardens | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Short circuits favoured | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Use of minimally processed natural materials | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Extension possible | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Use of passive systems | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Accessibility and availability of water (Presence of watercourses or boreholes) | ⮽ | ⮽ | ☑ | Local construction | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | Construction progressive | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Adaptability of the parts of the structure | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Network Sharing | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | ||||
Transformation system | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Adapted transport | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Phased construction | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Strengthening of fragile elements | ☑ | ☑ | ☑ | Embodied energy reduction | ☑ | ☑ | ⮽ | ||||
Notation/15 | 12.75 | 13.5 | 9 | 2.625 | 2.625 | 2.25 | 2.625 | 2.625 | 1.875 | 3 | 3 | 1.125 | 2.25 | 3 | 2.625 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 1.125 | |||||
Overall Rating/45 | 37.5 | 38.25 | 16.125 |
KVA | NVA | CA | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indicators | Value Achieved | Interpretation | Value Achieved | Interpretation | Value Achieved | Interpretation |
1. Respect for nature | 2625 | Excellent performance | 2625 | Excellent performance | 0.375 | Underperformance |
2. Adaptation to the site | 1875 | Good performance | 1875 | Good performance | 0.375 | Underperformance |
3. Pollution and waste reduction | 3 | Excellent performance | 3 | Excellent performance | 0.375 | Underperformance |
4. Contribution to the improvement of health, well-being and comfort | 2.25 | Good performance | 2.25 | Good performance | 0.75 | Underperformance |
5. Reduction of the effects of natural hazards | 1875 | Good performance | 1875 | Good performance | 0.375 | Underperformance |
KVA | NVA | CA | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indicators | Value Achieved | Interpretation | Value Achieved | Interpretation | Value Achieved | Interpretation |
6. Protection of the cultural landscape | 1875 | Good performance | 1875 | Good performance | 0.375 | Underperformance |
7. Transfer of constructive cultures | 3 | Excellent performance | 3 | Excellent performance | 1125 | Underperformance |
8. Promotion and stimulation of creativity | 2625 | Excellent performance | 2625 | Excellent performance | 1875 | Good performance |
9. Recognition and enhancement of intangible values | 3 | Excellent performance | 3 | Excellent performance | 0.375 | Underperformance |
10. Promotion of social cohesion | 2625 | Excellent performance | 2625 | Excellent performance | 1125 | Underperformance |
KVA | NVA | CA | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indicators | Value Achieved | Interpretation | Value Achieved | Interpretation | Value Achieved | Interpretation |
11. Empowering local people | 2625 | Excellent performance | 2625 | Excellent performance | 2.25 | Good performance |
12. Promotion of local activities | 2625 | Excellent performance | 2625 | Excellent performance | 1875 | Good performance |
13. Optimization of construction efforts | 3 | Excellent performance | 3 | Excellent performance | 1125 | Underperformance |
14. Extending the life of buildings | 2.25 | Good performance | 3 | Excellent performance | 2625 | Excellent performance |
15. Saving and Safeguarding Resources | 2.25 | Good performance | 2.25 | Good performance | 1125 | Underperformance |
Plan | Assets/Strengths | Disadvantages/Weaknesses | |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Environment |
|
|
Socioeconomic |
|
| |
Socio-cultural |
|
| |
VA (KVA and NVA) | Environment |
|
|
Socioeconomic |
|
| |
Socio-cultural |
|
|
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Awoussi, M.Y.; Domtse, E.K.A.; Gake, D.K.; Genovese, P.V.; Dziwonou, Y. Analysis of the Sustainability Elements of Vernacular Architecture in Northern Togo: The Case of the Kara Region. Sustainability 2025, 17, 2450. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062450
Awoussi MY, Domtse EKA, Gake DK, Genovese PV, Dziwonou Y. Analysis of the Sustainability Elements of Vernacular Architecture in Northern Togo: The Case of the Kara Region. Sustainability. 2025; 17(6):2450. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062450
Chicago/Turabian StyleAwoussi, Modeste Yaovi, Eugène Kodzo Anani Domtse, Déla Komlan Gake, Paolo Vincenzo Genovese, and Yao Dziwonou. 2025. "Analysis of the Sustainability Elements of Vernacular Architecture in Northern Togo: The Case of the Kara Region" Sustainability 17, no. 6: 2450. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062450
APA StyleAwoussi, M. Y., Domtse, E. K. A., Gake, D. K., Genovese, P. V., & Dziwonou, Y. (2025). Analysis of the Sustainability Elements of Vernacular Architecture in Northern Togo: The Case of the Kara Region. Sustainability, 17(6), 2450. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062450