Documenting Traditional Architectural Heritage in Zaria Old City, Kaduna State

Traditional Hausa architecture in the old city of Zaria represents one of the most coherent surviving urban heritage landscapes in northern Nigeria, characterized by elaborate mud-built residential compounds, palace structures, and mosque facades that embody centuries of architectural knowledge and aesthetic tradition. Despite its recognized cultural significance, systematic archaeological and architectural documentation of this built environment remains incomplete, and ongoing urban pressure continues to erode its integrity. This study undertakes systematic architectural recording of a selected sample of thirty compounds within the walled city, employing measured drawing, photographic survey, and descriptive typological recording. The research documents construction techniques, spatial organization, decorative motifs, and material composition, with particular attention to features indicative of age and historical continuity. Findings reveal a spectrum from well-preserved nineteenth-century structures to heavily modified compounds where only the external wall alignments retain historical character. Interviews with compound heads and local masons contributed emic perspectives on building tradition, maintenance practices, and the cultural values associated with specific spatial arrangements. The study situates its findings within recent heritage urbanism literature and the specific provisions of the Kaduna State Urban and Regional Planning Law. It recommends the establishment of a Zaria Old City Heritage Conservation Area with associated regulatory protections, and advocates for the documentation of intangible building knowledge held by remaining master masons. Keywords: Hausa architecture, Zaria, built heritage, architectural documentation, Kaduna State.