Correspondence: Emmanuel Olufemi Omisore, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

¹is a senior lecturer in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He obtained a BSc degree (1981), MSc degree (1984) and PhD (2002) all in Urban and Regional Planning at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He has been involved in research in environmental conservation and urban rehabilitation since 2002 when he completed his PhD programme. Dr Omisore is married with four children. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and is also a registered member of the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria.

²is a reader in the Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He obtained a BSc degree in Estate Management in 1979, MSc in Building Technology in 1983 and PhD in Building Maintenance in 1990. He has been involved in research in construction and maintenance since 1982 when he joined the University as a teaching staff. He practices Estate Surveying and Building on consultancy basis. Married with three children, he is a corporate member of the Nigerian Institute of Building and is also registered with the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria.

³is a lecturer II in the Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He obtained a BSc degree in Building in 1995 from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and MSc in Construction Management in 2000 from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He has been involved in research in building construction and maintenance since 2005 when he joined the University as a teaching staff. Married with two children, he is a corporate member of the Nigerian Institute of Building and is also registered with the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria.

Received 7 January 2008; Revised 7 January 2008.

Abstract

This paper examined the state of major cultural properties in Ile-Ife – a traditional settlement known in history as the cradle of the Yoruba civilisation. This was to unfold the level of deterioration, identify the causes of decay and suggest appropriate maintenance solutions. In order to carry out this assessment, selected cultural properties such as the Museum, Ooni's palace and shrines such as Ile-Oduduwa, Ifa Temple, Oke-Mogun and Opa Oranmiyan were examined through physical surveys. The analysis was carried out on data procured through the administration of a set of questionnaires. Findings revealed that these cultural properties were in a state of neglect and had no source of funds for their maintenance. The paper concluded that the nonchalant attitude of the custodians of these cultural properties to maintenance contributed to their inability to source for funds, thus allowing the observed decay.