Author(s)

ZOURMBA OUSMANOU

Abstract

The concept of heritage has experienced expanding meanings that link it to history, memories, tourism and business products, to name just a few of them. The heritagization process of architectural sites enlightened and focused most of the time, on aesthetical, know-how and the memory of the use of the site. Therefore, architectural heritage is not necessarily focusing on dynamics of memories surrounding it and might be limited to celebrating engineers and architects. In this regard, could it be worth referring to colonial architecture in Africa as heritage sites? To what extent could an architecture that celebrates former oppressors become a heritage site? What cultural or historical significance can colonial built remains convey to the African communities on whose territory they are located? This contribution, in light of the topic of heritage architecture and historical aspects, seeks to discuss the interaction between colonial memories and the enhancement of colonial built remains as historical/cultural heritage.

Keywords

colonial architecture, colonial heritage, dissonant heritage