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Jos Metropolis: Traditional Settlement Patterns

The document discusses traditional settlements in Jos, Nigeria. Jos has a population of over 736,000 people based on the 2006 census. It has a more temperate climate than much of Nigeria, with average annual rainfall of 1,250mm. Tin mining in Jos led to an influx of migrants from different ethnic groups, making it highly cosmopolitan. Traditional settlements in Jos evolved unconsciously over time in response to the environment and needs of inhabitants, without consideration of future planning. This form of development cannot be easily integrated into the Jos Master Plan.

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29 views5 pages

Jos Metropolis: Traditional Settlement Patterns

The document discusses traditional settlements in Jos, Nigeria. Jos has a population of over 736,000 people based on the 2006 census. It has a more temperate climate than much of Nigeria, with average annual rainfall of 1,250mm. Tin mining in Jos led to an influx of migrants from different ethnic groups, making it highly cosmopolitan. Traditional settlements in Jos evolved unconsciously over time in response to the environment and needs of inhabitants, without consideration of future planning. This form of development cannot be easily integrated into the Jos Master Plan.

Uploaded by

havilahconcept1
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The study area is Jos metropolis, Nigeria.

It lies within latitudes


9°45’00’’N to 09°57’00’’N and longitudes 8°48’00’’E to 8°58’00’’E.
Jos is the administrative capital of Plateau State. The study covered
parts of Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Jos North and South have population of 429,300 and 306,716
respectively based on the 2006 National Census. Jos metropolis
covers an area of 249.7km². At an altitude of 1,217m (3,993ft)
above sea level, Jos enjoys a more temperate climate than much of
the rest of Nigeria. The climate is the wet and dry type classified as
tropical rainy climate and characterized by a mean annual rainfall
of 1,250mm, peaking between July and August. The mean annual
temperature is about 22°C but mean monthly values vary between
19°C in the coolest month of December and 25°C in the hottest
month, April. The city of Jos is the largest settlement in Plateau
State. It owes its origin to the introduction of tin mining on the Jos
Plateau and railway lines linking it with Port Harcourt and Lagos,
thus bringing the area into the orbit of the world economy. The tin
mining led to the influx of migrants, mostly Hausas, lgbos, Yoruba’s
and Europeans who constitute over half of the population of the
town, making it a highly cosmopolitan.
Nature and Patterns of Traditional Settlements Human settlement
is principally about the conceptualization, and use of, terrestrial
space by a group of people in order to effectively address issues
bordering on variables such as economy, security, peaceful co-
existence, aesthetics and symbolism either in one time period or
several time periods. It is the end product of a set of conscious
efforts by a group of people to transform a natural space to a
cultural experience in order to survive and make progress rooted in
the world-view and social history of its members. A careful study of
a given human spatial order, either at the archaeological level or in
an ethnographic context, is capable of deepening or clarifying our
understanding of the internal organization of the settlers as they
adapt and readapt (whenever there is need to do so) with the
passage of time to a set of environmental challenges (Ogundele
2004).

Settlement as a component part of human culture is highly


encyclopedic in character and scope because it straddles the
spheres of material and nonmaterial worlds. Not unexpectedly,
studies of human settlements are robustly embedded in the
domains of such subjects as archaeology, cultural/social
anthropology, geography and Town Planning. However, each of
these subjects has its own array of methodological approaches and
perspectives for capturing the essence of human settlements. It is a
truism that while the archaeologist examines settlements from a
macro-time perspective (diachronic orientation), the remaining
specialists describe and explain them (settlements) within a micro-
time scale or synchronic framework. The idea of housing came as
an objective of fulfilling one of the basic needs of man principally in
the provision of shelter, security and comfort. In the practical
establishment of homes, the planning and construction takes a
pattern or form, which varies from society to society and from
country to country. Consequently, the form of housing chosen or
built offers a direct insight into the study of various cultures and
societies.

Nigeria as a nation for example, is a heterogeneous society


comprising of ethno-geographical region like the north, middle belt,
east, west and south. Each of these regions has its own culture and
as such exhibits peculiar housing form. Consequently, the Nigerian
traditional architecture differs not only temporarily but also
spatially and from one period to another. The latter is obviously due
to trend of civilization, cultural infiltration and technological
advancement. It is natural that certain architecture is identified
with certain group of people either as a state or nation. For
example, there is the Chinese architecture, the American, the early
Egyptian, the Greek, the Roman and so on. Within this sphere of
national architecture, there exists architecture of specific functions.
Consequently, the Chinese pyramidal cake form is a depiction of
temples, whereas the ordinary linear design is reserved for housing,
while in America, the simple wooden architecture is peculiar cottage
buildings.
Architecture in this dimension could be seen as the art of design of
buildings and structures for convenient human habitation and
utilization, considering such factors as the variation in norms and
social values for the attainment of social comfort in different
societies. The tendency in exhibiting these values and the character
of life, coupled with factors like the materials available and the use
of building, significantly suggest the kind of design for the function
in this society. The architecture evolved depicts the “language” the
society in question can understand. A good architecture must
satisfy a trinity of requirements in a user, that is, his physical
needs (satisfactory body reaction of feeling), his emotional needs
(aesthetic and psychological) and his intellectual needs (logic,
orderliness and flawlessness); hence the appeal for architecture to
be both art and science (Astrolabe, 2002). The nature and pattern of
settlements in the Jos town metamorphosed as a result of
unconscious planning. The inhabitants adopted a form of
development without any futuristic idea of possible transformation,
and this form of development cannot be integrated or fused into or
form part of the greater Jos Master Plan. The only possible option
for the implementation of the Greater Jos Master Plan in the Jos
town including immediate neighbourhood is total clearance of
buildings, and this would be capital intensive.

Common questions

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Jos metropolis became cosmopolitan due to the introduction of tin mining and the establishment of railway lines linking it to Port Harcourt and Lagos, which integrated the area into the global economy . These developments led to an influx of migrants including Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas, and Europeans, who now make up over half the population . Such demographic diversity results in a culturally rich and cosmopolitan city, reflecting its historical role as an economic hub.

Studies of human settlements integrate disciplines such as archaeology, cultural anthropology, geography, and town planning, each offering unique methodologies for understanding human spatial organization . Archaeologists focus on diachronic analysis of settlements over time, while other disciplines tend to describe them within a specific period (synchronic framework), examining current influences on settlements . This interdisciplinary approach provides a comprehensive understanding of how past human activities shaped current societal structures and informs future urban planning by linking cultural practices with spatial development.

Integrating traditional settlements into modern urban planning frameworks presents challenges such as aligning historical development patterns with current urban infrastructure needs. In Jos, for instance, the form of development was not planned with future transformation in mind, making it difficult to incorporate into the Greater Jos Master Plan without extensive, costly intervention, including possible clearance of existing buildings . These challenges reflect a disconnect between traditional informal settlement patterns and the necessities of contemporary urban design, requiring careful balancing of heritage preservation and urban modernization.

Jos's historical development through tin mining and railway connections significantly impacted its socio-economic makeup by attracting diverse ethnic groups and integrating into the global economy . This led to a cosmopolitan population with varied cultural influences, establishing a complex social fabric and a diversified economy beyond agriculture, including trade and service industries . However, the rapid historical growth also poses challenges for modern urban planning and socio-economic equity, as the city continues to balance traditional practices with contemporary urbanization demands.

The pattern of settlement development in Jos occurred without consideration for future urban planning, resulting in an urban layout that does not integrate well with modern city planning concepts like the Greater Jos Master Plan . The lack of foresight in the original development requires significant intervention, like the costly and drastic option of clearing existing buildings to comply with the modern master plan . These challenges highlight the tension between historical development patterns and current urban planning needs.

The study of settlements is crucial for understanding a society's cultural history as it provides insights into how communities have historically chosen to organize spatially to meet economic, security, and social needs . Settlements are the result of conscious efforts to transform natural spaces into cultural environments reflecting the worldview and social history of their inhabitants . By examining settlements from archaeological or ethnographic perspectives, researchers can uncover patterns of adaptation and change over time, revealing the dynamic interplay between human culture and environment.

Jos's geographic location at an altitude of 1,217 meters allows for a temperate climate advantageous for habitation and agriculture, influencing its development into a significant settlement . The introduction of tin mining on its plateau location further spurred economic growth and necessitated connections through railway lines to Port Harcourt and Lagos, enhancing its role in the global economy . These geographic factors have facilitated Jos's economic integration nationally and internationally by exploiting its natural resources and strategic positioning for trade and migration.

Architectural design in a society must satisfy physical, emotional, and intellectual needs, reflecting that architecture is both an art and a science . This requirement means that architectural design is influenced by both available materials and cultural values, ensuring that the built environment aligns with societal norms and values . Consequently, architecture serves as a language of the community, where structures not only provide shelter but are also a medium for expressing cultural identity, historical continuity, and social aspirations.

Traditional Nigerian architecture varies across the country's ethno-geographical regions such as the north, middle belt, east, west, and south, each reflecting its unique cultural identity . Such diversity is evident in the different housing forms and architectural styles adapted to local materials and cultural preferences . This variation illustrates the adaptation of architecture not only to environmental conditions but also to the cultural expressions and social values of each region, emphasizing Nigeria's rich cultural mosaic.

Jos metropolis enjoys a temperate climate, more favorable than much of Nigeria, due to its altitude of 1,217 meters above sea level . The city experiences a tropical rainy climate with a mean annual rainfall of 1,250mm, peaking during the wettest months of July and August, and a mean annual temperature of about 22°C, creating a cooler environment compared to the typical Nigerian heat . This moderate climate makes Jos a more comfortable living environment due to reduced heat stress, potentially promoting a higher quality of life and increased suitability for various agricultural activities.

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