Urban Furniture Design for Pedestrian Rest Zones in Kano Old City

The historic Old City of Kano, designated as a potential UNESCO World Heritage area, attracts substantial pedestrian traffic from residents, traders, and cultural tourists navigating its densely built traditional urban fabric. Despite this activity, pedestrian rest infrastructure including seating, shade structures, and water provision points is largely absent, contributing to physical discomfort and reducing the accessibility of the heritage zone for elderly and mobility-limited users. This project undertakes the design of contextually appropriate urban furniture for pedestrian rest zones within the Kano Old City, North West Nigeria. An urban audit involving GPS-assisted pedestrian flow mapping and interviews with eighty-three pedestrians and traders identified six priority locations for rest zone installation. Design principles draw on traditional Hausa architectural motifs, local rammed earth construction techniques, and the hot dry climate characteristics of the Sahel. Furniture typologies designed include shaded seating benches with ornamental carved backrestboards, terracotta water jar holders with drinking cups, and combination waste and composting bins. All designs specify locally available clay, laterite blocks, timber, and mild steel, minimising reliance on imported components. Full-scale mock-ups were evaluated by a community advisory panel and representatives of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau. Feedback confirmed strong cultural alignment and structural adequacy. The project recommends phased installation through a public-private partnership with the Kano State Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Keywords: urban furniture, pedestrian rest zones, Kano Old City, heritage design, public space.