Abstract

 

Every culture produces its own house-form, highly reflective of the history and lifestyle of its people. The family house is a symbol of social identity and family recognition; the need to preserve people’s culture and history through their house is crucial to achieving sustainable housing and decent livelihood. One major concern of urban sociologists and anthropologists, and those in housing related disciplines, is how to provide adequate shelter for the wellbeing of the people. This study thus attempts to examine the place of the family house in Oyo town, Nigeria. A survey of existing family house structure was conducted on households and their housing peculiarities to determine residents’ dwelling preferences. The study showed that despite noticeable inadequacies and deplorable conditions exhibited by most dwellings in Oyo town, the people had strong inclination towards their houses. The study concludes that traditional architecture is not opposed to modernity if both are mutually and rationally initiated. To achieve sustainability in housing, relevant aspects of people’s culture and history, inherent in their dwellings should be incorporated into contemporary housing development.

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