VIRTUAL ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

Colonial Bungalows in Lagos represent contested heritage sites embodying Nigeria’s complex relationship with its colonial past. As remnants of British imperial rule, these structures exist at the intersection of historical trauma and potential cultural reclamation. While widespread demolition continues across Lagos, remaining Colonial Bungalows offer opportunities to examine how contemporary Nigerians negotiate difficult histories and envision alternative urban futures beyond historical erasure. This research centers Nigerian voices in reimagining Colonial Bungalows as sites of narrative reclamation rather than symbols of oppression. Through semi-structured interviews with Nigerians familiar with Lagos and its colonial architecture, the study explores how communities perceive these structures and their potential role in urban development. Rather than glorifying colonialism, participants articulate visions for transformation and repurposing that acknowledge historical wrongs while using these buildings as anchors for understanding the past and preventing repetition of colonial patterns. Interviews reveal diverse perspectives on integrating Colonial Bungalows into Lagos’s future—preserved, transformed, or repurposed as community spaces fostering historical understanding and cultural healing. Participants discuss confronting colonial legacies through education and reflection rather than erasure, viewing these structures as tools for intergenerational learning about resistance, resilience, and identity formation. This community-centered approach contributes to decolonial heritage practices by demonstrating how local knowledge guides reinterpretation of contested sites. Findings offer insights into grassroots perspectives on heritage preservation that prioritize narrative reclamation and community empowerment over top-down conservation models, informing more inclusive approaches to managing colonial heritage in post-colonial urban contexts.