Proposal for a tool for analyzing the physical state and functionality of municipal built heritage for sustainable and proactive management of local infrastructure
Author: Ahonankpon Hubert Frédéric GBAGUIDI*, Luc Sèhouégnon AHANHANZO, Smail SALIFOU, Lamatou DAOUDA
Research Unit for Sustainability of Urban Infrastructure and Services (UR-DISUr), Laboratory of Geosciences, Environment and Applications (LaGEA), National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM), Abomey, Benin.
Published Date: 2025-07-04
Keywords: Built heritage, infrastructure sustainability, multi-criteria assessment, local governance, territorial intelligence.
Abstract:
Municipalities' built heritage constitutes a strategic lever for the provision of basic public services. However, in many communities, its maintenance remains insufficiently structured, due to a lack of tools adapted to assessing its actual condition. This article proposes a simplified but robust analysis grid, focused on two essential dimensions: physical condition and functionality. The tool was designed to enable municipalities to detect deterioration, anticipate interventions, and prioritize corrective actions. It integrates an alert mechanism based on a rating system that classifies buildings into four critical levels. Finally, this research draws on the case of the municipality of Nikki in northeastern Benin and proposes a model transferable to other contexts in sub-Saharan Africa.
