The subject of this work is the result of a research conducted at the Department of Architecture of the University of Palermo, aimed at analyzing the state of the art of traditional architecture of North-West African countries and the effects that the modernization process of the habitat led on these, through the introduction of new building materials and advanced technologies imported from industrialized countries.
The country examined at present is Burkina Faso, in sub-Saharan Africa, one of the poorest in the world and in Africa and, for this reason, one of the most susceptible to the economic and technological superiority of the industrialized countries that control and profit by the local resources.
The research made use of the results of a study trip, during which were carried out visits and inspections in some cities and local communities of Burkina Faso. These inspections allowed us to verify if, how and to what extent the technologies of the so-called industrialized countries , have influenced the constructive tradition of developing countries.
The results of the research have shown that although the big cities are places dedicated to the importation and diffusion of technological development in the constructive field, the materials and the new generation construction techniques have in some cases been used for the development of suitable technologies and passive systems for achieving thermo-hygrometric comfort of homes.
Even in rural areas, in villages and communities far from the most convenient communication roads, it is evident the diffusion of non-traditional materials such as metals and plastics that have almost completely replaced the materials traditionally used in specific uses.
Keywords: sustainable development, traditional architecture, Burkina Faso, natural resources, innovation
10a. African perspective on governance, partnership and sustainable development
