The development of architecture in Kumase, 1874-1960.

Abstract

This thesis examines the development of architecture in Kumase from 1874 to 1960. In other words, the study focuses on the rebuilding of the built environment of Kumase from 1874 to 1960. Using qualitative evaluation of archival documents, interviews with Asante chiefs, owners of houses, heads of families, trustees of households etc., and some secondary sources of historical information, this work discusses the traditional architecture of Kumase and, how the British colonial government and its agents joined forces with the Asante political authorities and the entire citizenry to architecturally reconstruct the city. The collaboration between the local people and the Europeans produced striking alterations within the built space of Kumase. This study shows that the alteration of the traditional Kumase architecture did not only affect the city’s built environment, but it also had impact on the cultural values of Asante. This is because British and European building technology did not completely and entirely support the observation and performance of some aspects of Asante cultural values and practices which found customary expression within the domain of a built environment. This thesis is a contribution to architectural history and the history of built environment which as fields of study are burgeoning within the historiography of Ghana.