Recognizing the invisible: Value-Based approaches to architectural heritage in Rwanda

In the context of rapid urbanization, Rwanda's twentieth-century built environment faces intense redevelopment pressures. Despite historical, aesthetic, and social values, such as climate-responsive tropical modernism, much of this architectural heritage remains "invisible" due to the absence of a comprehensive national framework for built heritage identification and conservation. This paper argues that in rapidly transforming contexts where formal monumental designation is lacking, the preliminary recognition of values could serve as a crucial first step toward formal protection. Shifting from traditional material-centric conservation to a value-based, participatory paradigm aligned with the Faro Convention, this research explores how twentieth-century architecture in Kigali and Huye, and other secondary cities of Rwanda, can be made legible as built heritage. This paper was written based on results from the participatory mapping facilitated through public "Urban Walks", semi-structured stakeholder interviews, and direct urban observation. By engaging local citizens, officials, and urban planners during the master plan revisions for case study cities, the study uncovers the layered significance of endangered sites, such as Kigali’s Quartier Matheus and Huye's colonial-era brick structures including housing. These methods demonstrate that participatory identification not only documents overlooked assets but actively translates local memory and architectural intelligence into actionable urban policy. Ultimately, this paper concludes that recognizing heritage values is not merely an interpretative exercise, but a foundational institutional requirement. By triangulating global heritage discourse with local participatory action, the research establishes a critical baseline for developing future inventories, selection criteria, and safeguarding strategies. This ensures Rwanda’s architectural legacy contributes sustainably to its modern urban future.