Culture, tourism and sustainable development

A vast country in West Africa, Niger is the link that connects North Africa to Sub-Saharan Africa. This
strategic position makes it a melting pot of extraordinary ethnic and cultural diversity. Niger's cultural
heritage is universally recognized throughout the world as evidenced by the inscription of several of them
on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This important cultural potential could be a factor of development in
tourism, because it and tourism have a mutually beneficial relationship that is likely to strengthen the
attractiveness and competitiveness of places, regions and even the country. Tourism is a powerful vector
for enhancing the value of culture and bringing in foreign currency that contributes to maintaining and
developing cultural heritage, cultural production and creativity.
Unfortunately, a worrying fact is that over the last few decades we have witnessed a progressive
disinterest of the population in general and of the youth in particular in the national cultural life. By
distancing itself from these values, it exposes itself to the risk of losing its way because it mortgages what
distinguishes it from others and what allows it to exist and assert itself as a people. All of these problems,
which are partly justified by the lack of adequate cultural infrastructure, require special attention from an
architectural point of view.
The cultural and tourist complex is a multifunctional space with components as varied as they are efficient
in a search for a balance between Nigerien culture and modernity. In line with the logic of sustainability,
our project perfectly embodies the inseparable relationship reflected in the trilogy nature-culturearchitecture. True reflection of the local culture both in its form and its symbolism, it constitutes an
important pole of cultural animation on the scale of the city of Niamey. Also, it gives it a visibility, attraction
and notoriety essential to accelerate its urban development.
The objective of our project was to propose a facility capable of enhancing and promoting the city of
Niamey.
the Nigerien culture in order to make it attractive for tourism. This led us to formulate an innovative and
audacious architectural proposal with constructive solutions inspired by the Nigerien culture. The goal was
to implement a project in perfect symbiosis with its socio-cultural, economic but also environmental
context.

SUSTAINABILITY GUIDELINES :
• A building with Positive Energy: with a total surface of installation of photovoltaic panels of
10.000m2, we estimate the production of 1.625mWh.
• 53% of the site's surface area is destined for the development of green spaces, which allows us to
invite nature into the functioning of the project.
• A mixed structure (steel, concrete) ensures stability and lightness to the project.
• A dynamic ETFE facade regulates the solar gain and contributes to maintain the temperature
around 20 degrees.
• The use of BTC infill walls adapted to the local Sahelian climate.
THE ADVANTAGES OF OUR PROJECT
Socio-economic impacts :
The socio-economic impacts related to the complex cultural and tourist construction are positively
significant. Indeed, the project of the cultural and tourist complex in Niamey will contribute to :
• A better structuring of the tourist offer in general and cultural tourism in particular in the tourist
capital of Niger, Niamey.
• An increase in the attractiveness of the city of Niamey.
• An increase in the wealth produced by the cultural sector (industry and cultural enterprises)
• The increase in wealth produced by related sectors (hotels, restaurants, transportation, etc...)
• The improvement of the living conditions of the population through the training of young people.
• The reduction of unemployment through the creation of direct and indirect jobs.
• The popularization of Nigerien culture at the national and international levels.
Cultural impact :
The construction of the cultural and tourist complex will offer the population a facility that brings together,
in addition to spaces for cultural expression, a space for training and discovery. This will promote a
reappropriation and reconsideration of cultural heritage by the population in general and the youth in
particular and an affirmation of the national cultural identity. This equipment will also contribute to the
promotion of the rich Nigerien culture beyond the borders of the country. It will strengthen the capacities
of the actors and raise the awareness of the population on the stakes of culture and the need to reconsider
its position within the socio-economic development policies of our dear country.
Environmental impacts:
- Promote bioclimatic architecture as a construction choice to reduce the impact of human constructions
on the environment.
- Raise awareness of the population on the need to preserve the environment through the integration of
the project in its environment and the promotion of renewable energies such as solar energy.
- Keep the spirit of place by preserving the garden and urban parks. This allows to invite nature in the
constructive process.
- Promote the recycling of resources (water and waste).
Keywords: culture, tourism, cultural complex, sustainable development.