CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

Landscape is the art of designing, planning and management of land, arrangement of natural and man-made elements there on, through application of cultural and scientific knowledge with concern for resources conservation so that the resultant environment can serve a useful, healthy and enjoyable purpose Garrett(1997). It deals with the beautification and management of the environment by the organization of spaces with adequate cognizance of the basic principles of design. Landscaping is an integral part of our culture and plays an essential role in the quality of our environment, economic wellbeing of the people, as well as their physical and psychological health. Smith believes that it is a way of maintaining and enhancing the quality of human life by protecting the health of the biosphere and husbanding the key resources of the air, water, land and minerals Smith (1997).

 

Landscape is one of the most cost effective tools for improving and sustaining the quality of the environment whether in the school environment, the city, the suburbs or the country Elf (1996). Through our garden and landscapes, we acquire a personal awareness and responsibilities for the environment while we relieve the tensions and frustrations of everyday life. As rightly observed, environmental sustainability programs attempt to reduce the use of physical and renewable resources, rather than toxic materials, the protection and restoration of natural habitats and environmental values for their liva- bility or beauty Smith (1997).

 

Many great secondary schools are defined by the strength of their landscapes and open spaces, and depend on these assets as a means of attracting students. Landscape planning is a creative conservation with the purpose of reconciling competing land uses without destroying the natural and cultural resources with which societies are recognized; making the best use for mankind of the acquired space while conserving its beauty and fertility. The role of landscape design and planning in the improvement and sustaina- bility of the existing universities’ open spaces is fundamental, in establishing a working relationship between landscaping and open space management. However, Falade stresses the need for adequate knowledge of the concept of open spaces and its super imposition nature on other concepts such as garden, parks, and landscaping generally Falade (1996).

A school surrounded by an attractive landscape is an inspiration to all students, teachers, school employees and the parents. The function of landscape at schools are not just to beautify the surrounding and to provide shade but it should also assist the students’ learning process and to encourage them to love and appreciatethe environment. Acknowledging the importance of landscape at schools, this research attempts to contribute inputs in regards to knowledge of the functions of landscape at schools as not merely to assist in the learning process (Dayment& Bell 2007) but also to encourage students to love and appreciate the environment (Malone & Tranter 2003). This is because schools are social institutions, and they play a significant role in changing peoples’ lifestyle. Schools bring changes to people’s mindset and their levelof intellectuality.

 

Landscape could also reduce the temperature of the environment surrounding the schools. This is because plants that do the photosynthesis process plays a significant role by way of producing oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide that is released into the air(Wells 2000). This, to a certain extent helps to reduce the surrounding temperature. Apart from that, landscape plays the role as a security element, contributes to stabilize the students’ and teachers’ mental and psychology.

 

Landscape provides an attractive part by way of aesthetic value(MohdHisyamRasidi et al. 2013). An attractive landscape plays an important part plays a significant role in reducing emotional pressure among students and parents. Studies conducted by Ke-Tsung Han (2009) shows that the students’ interactions with plants could contribute to reduce the negative emotions, increase positive thoughts, reduces physical preassure and develops the students’ interest towards learning. Plants have effect on human psychology. Taylor et al. (2001); Hartig et al. (1991); Kaplan (1995) and Wells (2000), the positive relationship between man and the environment could provide benefit towards mental stability, improving the behavior and improve health conditions. Relationship with the environment means man’s interaction with natural elements such as plants, water source or outdoor surroundings (Kaplan et al. 1998). Contact with outdoor environment without any limitations could reduce psychological pressure in our daily life.

 

Thus, landscape that has an identity and concept, could assist in the learning process. Students experience the benefit of mental stability, relaxed mind, avoid stress and preassure, improve on their behavior and improve their mental health by way of interaction and direct contact with the environment. In the context of the attention restoration theory (Kaplan & Kaplan 1989; Kaplan 1995; Berman et al. 2008) based on the analogy that the environment is closely connected with the mental stability of an individual; that being the close proximity between the inclination of an individual who is to be recovered with the help of the environment. Relationship with the environment means that when a student is within the natural element such as plants, water source or an outdoor environment, the mind of the student would be experiencing peace, feel fresh and relaxed.

 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Education for any nation is believed to be veritable machinery for the development of a country. This is obvious because of the roles played by educated people in the development of science, social – economic and political structure to improve the individual, families and making the society a batter place to live. In the light of these values, education today must prepare the child to function effectively as an adult in the 21st century.

Surprisingly, Nigerian school are the least ready to adapt to the onslaught of new information and practices accumulating on daily basis due to the challenges ranging from industrial actions of academic staff, lack of fund for infrastructural development and a host of others. This is evident in the fact that teachers are handicapped by inadequate training and in facilities which made it difficult for them to prepare students for the new development. The school facilities themselves which provide accommodation for teachers and the learners hinder rather than enhance good teaching practices.

School facilities in most Nigerian schools today are apt to reinforce rote teaching method and further hinder the students’ capacity for independent and creative thinking. The typical school building in Nigeria is usually a simple row of bare classroom structures – often of rectangular shapes walls in which chairs, tables, which students must fight for space. According to Ezeocha (1985), inadequate physical facilities can lead to undesirable personal behaviours, and large group interaction such as sports/games, drama etc. cannot be conducted effectively without adequate physical space and equipment.

 

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

The quest to provide affordable buildings in Lagos state has been subject to a lot
of discussion in recent years, however, the solution is one which has eluded the
government, developers and other players in the Lagos state real estate landscape
due to the  numerous challenges  mostly  associated  with  our  reliance on
reinforced concrete and Sandcrete blocks and the high labor rate which comes
along with it. This sparked a thought as to what could be the possible alternatives
to provide affordable housing for Lagosians in the 21^st century, hence the initial
inspiration for this research.

Truck and containers are a widely available, relatively affordable resource that
Nigerian architects, developers and builders are not using, the reason why may
be related to the non-availability of building codes, the scarcity of pioneer
projects, dimensional limitation of ISO truck and containers, and unwillingness
to divert from the known conventions in the Nigerian building industry.
However, the ISO truck and container has been designed to not only withstand
the most extreme of weather conditions on sea voyage, but to withstand stacking
of 9 fully loaded containers, making them an ideal structural component. The
standard dimension of the containers means that they are an excellent modular
unit and their inherent strength, weather proof nature and availability makes
them ideal habitable structures. The availability of truck and containers in Lagos is as a result of its role as Nigeria’s port city and Nigeria’s trade deficit – Nigeria imports more than she exports – this ensures the sustained surplus of truck and containers in Lagos. This potential reuse of truck and containers to address the city’s housing needs which this research seeks to analyze, is a sustainable building practice which should be encouraged, and nurtured in order to provide mass housing quickly and with greater efficiency.

 

 

 

1.2    Statement of the Research Problem

Shelter or housing is not just a human right; it is a human need. Abraham
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs identifies shelter as a physiological basic need,
alongside food and clothing, this implies that without housing we as humans
cannot function properly or cannot function at all. “About 108 million Nigerians
are estimated to be homeless, based on an average family of six people per
housing unit. While Nigeria needs to build about 700,000 housing units every
year to bridge the housing gap, the country barely builds 100,000 such units per
year” The Sun newspaper, January 2018. About 86.9 million Nigerians are
living in extreme poverty, the most in any single country in the world. This
statistic released in June 2018 by the World Poverty Clock shows that there is
a need to provide affordable housing and not just low-cost housing solution as
the government has since attempted. The current model employed for the
provision of low income housing leaves a lot of room for innovation and
creativity and the adoption of truck and container homes as an alternative gets us
closer to this housing delivery goal while creating a sustainable urban fabric for
the city of Lagos.

However, it along with it comes some unique problems including;

 

 

1. Where to source truck and containers
2. Cost comparison to conventional building methods

iii.                  Acceptability of modular container living

1. Establishment of state building code

Ownership And Possession Of Land In Nigeria Under Land Use Act 1978

BACKGROUND

Land is a natural resource which is physically fixed. It is the most fundamental basic resource around which our social structure revolves. Every activity requires the use of land and this makes land the most valuable asset of man.

There is an intimate relationship between man and land. Man has maintained a close contact with land which provides him with virtually all he needs for his sustenance. The survival of man depends on the availability of land and his ability to acquire and exploit it to satisfy his seemingly endless needs. This ability to acquire land is sometimes limited or hindered by social, legal, environmental and technological constraint both in the public and the private sectors of the economy.

For the fact that individuals, governments and organizations need land, there has been great demand for the acquisition, use and development of land and it has not been easy to meet this demand.

In the same vein, Real Estate Development and use of land are prompted primarily by the products and satisfaction that could be derived therefrom. The problem of real estate development in Nigeria started during the Colonial period and was inherited by the Post Colonial Nigerian Government. Inspite of the efforts of both the colonial and the post colonial governments to solve the problem of Real Estate Development in the country, they remained unresolved till date.

Government all through the ages has recognized that land is an indispensable resource in a nation’s economic and social development. Over the years, different communities have made enactments respecting how land should be owned, developed and managed. In other words the use to which land should be put, the nature and extent of development to be carried out thereon and indeed all decisions affecting land are dictated by the land laws of the country.

Property Development on the other hand is one of man’s most crucial needs, in that it represents man’s most tangible asset both to the private and the public investors. However before any development is carried out on a parcel of land, property rights must

 

first be exercisable over that piece of land. These property rights are defined by the existing land laws of the village, community or nation.

It must, therefore, be understood that the land law of any country is always intrinsically interwoven with the economic cum socio-political development of the community. In order words, the land cannot be divorced from the general history and development of any society.

Above all, the continued increase in the population of Nigeria, the desire for individual self-sustenance, increased economic activities and the inherent encumbrances in the customary land law obviously demanded a land reform policy that would refine if not abolish entirely these problematic aspects of the customary land tenure.

The Land Use Act of 1978 happened to be one of the legislations enacted in response to the yearnings and aspirations of most of the Nigerian people. This was greeted with ovation in Nigeria by the unthinking masses with high expectations that it will uplift Nigeria into one of the World’s Powers in Development. How much the Land Use Decree (Now Act) has gone in boosting development of the nation is yet to be seen. It is upon this background that this study seeks to find out the extent to which the Act has impacted on property development.

 

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Land Use Decree (Now Act) of 1978 was promulgated purportedly to enable Nigerians have quality access to land and to be able to enjoy not only the land itself but the natural fruits thereon. The fact however is that there is no certainty as to the extent to which the Act has affected property development in Enugu Urban.

The Act aimed at assisting in the acquisition of land by individuals for development of properties of all categories which will help in boosting the economy of the country. It seems however that the government’s promulgation of the Land Use Act has impacted negatively on the development of properties in the country as exemplified by the situation in Enugu the study area. This has resulted in the acute shortage of housing for various purposes, state of inertia in the property market, high rents in housing accommodation and several other social tensions.

 

The debut of Land Use Act destroyed security of title to land and the ease of acquisition. A landowner needs security for his use and enjoyment of the land and may also require to protect whatever dealing the desires to have on that land. It has become clear that the processes of accessing land presently characterized by procedural delays and red tapeism.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study is to examine Ownership And Possession Of Land In Nigeria Under Land Use Act 1978

STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING SPATIAL FLEXIBILITY IN HOSTELS. A STUDY OF FEMALE HOSTELS FUTO

CHAPTER ONE

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

 

Many houses were designed without thinking of the basic housing needs and living in these places could be quite uncomfortable and frustrating.

The idea of spatial flexibility in building is becoming an interesting subject matter in architecture and the concept is an important concern in the design of housing. Flexibility refers to the idea of accommodating change over time. Thus, flexible housing corresponds to housing that can adapt to the changing needs of users (Till & Schneider, (2005). Adaptability and typological variety are the other important terms related to flexibility.

So many architects have conceptually addressed this subject of flexibility in so many ways. Examples of these designs includes; Louis Kahn‟s The Served and the Servant Spaces, Peter Einsenman‟s Blurred Zone, Mies Van Der Rohe‟s Universal Space, Gerrit Rietveld‟s Schroder House, Carnegie Mellon University‟s Intelligent Workplace. Schneider and Till, (2007) in their book titled Flexible Housing, also portrayed some important highlights on flexibility which will be developed fully in the chapters.

Early modern and contemporary architects adopted the concept of movable partition as a way of achieving flexibility in building spaces. They believed and portray that a house is a changeable open zone, which can be subdivided by sliding or revolving partitions.

Other several means of achieving spatial flexibility were highlighted by Kevin Lynch. These included zoning and concentration of structures at a few widely separated points, leaving wide spans where future changes would not affect the fabrics of the

 

whole, use of modular or lattice structures whose peripheral growth does not affect  the structure at the centre, use of low intensity buffer zone between spaces to allow their programmes to expand and contract without running over their uses, avoidance of narrow adaptation of forms to specialized functions, over supply of space to provide generous room for future expansion of programmes, use of temporally structures and a well networked communications so that programme and interaction changes can be analyzed and accommodated efficiently.

As a result of changes and advancement in technology, spatial flexibility has become even more important than it was a decade ago. The correlations between the duality of architecture and the notion of functional flexibility in today‟s context are important themes that should continue to be investigated in contemporary architecture.

                        BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 

Early building obsolescence arising from the emergence of new technologies, new working arrangements as well as user‟s peculiar need of space is becoming prevalent in our society today. Planning and executing projects with flexibility in mind should be the ultimate aim of every planner in order to provide individuals with the best use of work space to suit their requirements and to accommodate any present and future changes. According to Schneider and Till, flexibility as accommodating change in housing addresses a number of issues related with the current and future needs of the users. Firstly, it offers variety in the architectural layout of the units. Secondly, it includes adjustability and adaptability of housing units over time. And finally, it allows buildings to accommodate new functions. In order to provide flexibility, architects should consider the possible future needs of users during the design process; in other words, long-term thinking in the design process is required. The benefits of flexibility in housing are discussed both from the perspective of users and

 

in terms of innovative construction and design under four main themes: the structural system, the service spaces, architectural layout and furnishing for flexible use. According to Schneider and Till, (2005), one of the basic principles of designing flexible building is to avoid inflexibility. In other words, the design of the inflexible parts of a building plays a crucial role in achieving flexibility. Structural system and the service spaces are the permanent components. First, through the consideration of the structural system, it is preferred to reduce the load bearing walls. Next, through the consideration of servicing, accessibility and adaptability of technical equipment is crucial to make changes in the future. Over the permanent components, the architectural layout can be investigated in terms of its typological variety and adaptability over time. The research focuses on the structure and plan of residential blocks and their use. It also addresses the issue of social sustainability. According to Schneider & Till, there are two controversial methods in flexible housing designs, which are regarded to belong to the rhetoric of flexibility: a determinate way of design that refers to movable transformable spaces and an indeterminate way of design that points to endless changes. These two ways indicate a foreground consideration of flexibility in the design process, but as Schneider and Till asserted, some of the most successful examples of flexibility tend to operate in the background, which is another way of flexible design.

Owing to current shifts in social patterns and rapid turn-over rates in building programmes over time Scott Brown advised architects to design buildings that can house a wide range of activities or functions beyond those called for their first users. (Brown, 2004). She uses the analogy of a glove versus a mitten in proposing a spatial layout that achieves this. A glove fits the fingers of the original user well but mitten can be used by various users because of its extra „wiggle room‟. In other words,

 

instead of designing a building custom fitted to one original function, Scott brown suggests providing an architectural of the „wiggle room‟ in building to anticipate future space requirements. Scott Brown Identified generic, high ceiling, open-plan industrial loft buildings or Italian palazzos as examples of flexible space, in other words, they have the capacity to meet changing requirements. This kind of characteristics is called flexibility.

 

 

 

Figure 1.1 Glove vs. Mitten Sketch and examples of the spatial types with „wiggle room‟ from Architecture as Signs and Systems.

Source: Shifting Paradigms Part 1: Renovating the Decorated Shed, May 15, 2008. Flexibility can be defined as the degree to which the spatial and temporal boundaries are pliable (Hall & Richter, 1988). It is also defined as the ability to adapt to new situation; ability to change and be changed according to circumstances. (Microsoft Encarta Dictionary 2009).

In the context of educational system, as early as1968, recognition of the importance of flexibility in educational sector was outlined (Gross Murphy, 1968). Four distinctive sub categories of flexibility were identified. They includes: expansible space, convertible space, versatile space and malleable space.

 

• Expansible space: This space can allow for ordered growth. Rydeen (2004) cited the use of structural steel frames with long steel joists and the elimination of internal Structural walls as key developments in this context;
• Convertible space: This kind of space can be economically adapted to program changes. It involves the adoption of relocate- able partitions as part of the School Construction Systems Development (SCSD)

In more than 3100 US schools between 1966 and 1977 the measure used to meet this Challenge was illustrated.

• Versatile space: This space serves multiple functions. Rydeen, (2004) cites as an example the „house concept‟ using a central open learning area tech-hub surrounded by
• Malleable space: This space can be changed at once and at will. Rydeen, (2004) suggests that open learning environments help to meet this challenge by supporting variable class

When architects employ the term flexibility, they often make distinctions between physical properties internal to schools and abstract social forces impinging upon school design (Ehrenkrantz 2000; Fiske 1995; Leggett, Stanton, C. William Brubaker, Aaron Cohodes, and Arthur S. Shapiro. 1977). Under this rubric, physical flexibility refers to the adjustability of a space to the practices of individuals, such as meeting  the special sensory and/or mobility needs of students. Movable furniture and walls, or re-configurable buildings, rooms, and passageways all represent this type of physical flexibility. On the abstract level, flexibility refers to the ability of built space to accommodate for unforeseeable changes such as demographic shifts, community needs, or policy mandates. (Moore & Lackney, 1994). The concept of a school facility mediates between these internal and external extremes by connoting the material

 

presence of buildings and their relationships to larger social structures, such as school districts or communities.

Flexible properties of space.

 

In order to evaluate the practice possibilities of built spaces, flexibility is subdivided into five properties of space: fluidity, versatility, convertibility, scalability, and modifiability.

 

Fluidity: This property represents the design of space for flows of individuals, sight, sound, and air. Open spaces lend themselves to fluidity, yet they can hinder fluidity if they seem oppressive in their expansiveness. In these instances, well-placed screens in classrooms, for example, can increase a sense of intimacy while triggering curiosity for the space that flows around the screen (Caudill, 1954). Such a space then becomes more engaging and less overwhelming. Well-placed windows can also increase a sense of flow and connection between spaces.

 

Versatility: It indicates the property of space that allows for multiple uses.  Cafeterias, auditoriums, and multi-purpose rooms signal one mode of versatility, but versatile spaces such as these run the risk of homogeneity. Since all spaces afford certain activities and flows, generic spaces without any overt indicators for specific use require extra effort, pedagogical or otherwise, to achieve the tone or rhythm of specific uses. Individuals must invest more energy to work within these spaces, because the spaces do little work on their own. For example, performing a play in a generic auditorium requires the investment of added decoration and props in addition to individual suspension of disbelief in order for that production to succeed.

 

Convertibility: In educational concept, this designates the ease of adapting educational space for new uses.

Educators must often convert spaces to accommodate for changes in enrollment, curriculum, or pedagogy. Modern office buildings are commonly proffered as models of this type of convertible space, because they possess a core with HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning), electrical, and communication systems that is surrounded by a shell containing easily re-deployable space for varied activity programs (Brubaker, 1998). Space designed for convertibility requires an imagination for future eventualities; it should possess a degree of modularity and open-endedness at a structural level, a design open to re-design by others.

 

Scalability:  It  describes  a  property  of   space   for   expansion   or   contraction.  For expansion, schools may require annexes and additions to meet the needs of increased enrollment or curricular alterations. Tightly coupled spaces (rooms and corridors) may utilize space efficiently in the short run but present costly obstacles for later growth. For contraction, as space needs decrease, schools should be able to temporarily convert buildings and rooms to other community or business purposes. For example, surplus school space can be leased out from year to year so that when space needs rise again, schools can re-convert buildings for educational programs (Brubaker, 1998).

 

Modifiability: it is the spatial property which invites active manipulation and appropriation. Spaces that lend themselves to quick reconfiguration are comprised of mobile components such as walls, partitions, furniture, and equipment. Highly modifiable spaces invite imaginative experimentation to coordinate space and subject matter with the specific learning needs of different student populations. The design of

 

such spaces requires much forethought, because these spaces must take into account many structural dependencies such as ceiling configuration for lighting and air circulation, floor materials for ease of partition movement. (Leggett et al. 1977).

 

                        STATEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL PROBLEM

 

As a result of changing life styles, the diversity of accommodation user requirements is increasing and asking for more flexible solutions. The technical implications being that conventional building structures are not designed for change. For that reason every transformation within a dwelling has to do with demolition of part of a building or sometimes whole built structure.

The rapid densification of population in universities all over the nation  today whether induced by high pursuit of knowledge, increased awareness of the importance of education and high demand for school accommodation induced by the need for settling proximate to school, high cost of living/accommodation outside the campus has caused the value of student hostel designs to rise, thereby creating an economic necessity to re evaluate the importance of flexibility in hostel designs, and to explore spatial arrangements that can accommodate more functions than conventional layouts in the same allotted space.

There are many female students enrolling in education today as against what was seen in the 60‟s. Existing hostel buildings which were built around the 60‟s could have been more effective in use today for these female students if flexibility was put into consideration during their construction. Therefore the increment on the number of female students in the universities today as against the number in the 60‟s illustrate the need to incorporate greater flexibility to meet unforeseen changes in use in the future.

 

Architecture by its nature is to respond to new life styles and necessities of today, spaces must reflect end-user‟s satisfaction. It is a common fact that any building facility that is not efficiently serving the needs of which it was erected is as good as a failed building.

Rigid spaces which are found in most hostel designs do not give room for adjustment of spaces to the needs of the user.

In order to increase buildings transformation capacity building design/construction should be focused on further systematization of building and development of innovative building methods that will provide flexible structures whose parts could be easily replaced and reused or recycled.

The purpose of this study is to investigate on the different strategies of achieving spatial flexibility in hostel design.

Examination Of the professional practice characteristics of architectural firms in Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE/INTRODUCTION

A key  factor in  architecture is  that it  is a  professional service. The  profession revolves around  providing  value  for  the  customer.  Providing  such  value  has  come  to  mean  creating structures  that last  longer  and  using energy  more  efficiently to  create  structures  that are  cost efficient to owners (Jaiyeoba, 2002). Fitzsimmons and Fitzsimmons (2004), defined service as a time-perishable, intangible experience performed for a customer acting in the role of co-producer.

Kotler, Armstrong, Saunder  and Wong  (1999), on the  other  hand, defined  it as any activity or benefit that one party can offer to another which is essentially intangible and does not result in the ownership of anything. Its production may or may not be tied to a physical product. The special nature of professional services is seen in the special nature of what is sold -expertise-, as well as the fee and time basis most often involved in charging for it.  Architecture is one of such services with characteristics such as direct customer interaction, intangibility, and perishability (Davis and  Heineke,  2003, Fitzsimmons  and Fitzsimmons, 2004, Palmer, 2001, and Forsyth 2003).

However, Blau, (1984) suggested that architecture differs from other  professional services  in a  number of  ways.  It  is  more  involved with  the technocrat  and corporate elite than other professions and thus enjoys less legal protection than other professions like medicine. The integral importance of architectural practice to the general public is also low, as the  regular middle  class  man hires  shelter from  the  elite, who  is  the one  in  contact with  the architect.  Architects  provide  services,  which  includes  feasibility  studies,  planning,  designs, construction, conservation,  and development.  Architectural firms design a multitude of different structures  for  all  sectors  of  the  market.  Office  and  apartment  buildings,  schools,  military installations,  churches, factories,  hospitals,  houses,  and airport  terminals  are but  a  few  of the facilities that they design for private individual clients, as well as commercial, government, and private nonprofit organizations.

Blau (1984) noted that while some firms specialize in serving one niche  or  a  few  segments  of  the  market,  others  are  highly  diversified  and  offer  a  variety  of architectural services to all types of clients.  Over the years, Architecture has generated specializations such as structural design, urban design, city  planning, landscape  architecture and interior  architecture. Retrofitting  of buildings, architectural  conservation,  and  construction  management  have  also  lately  emerged  as specializations. Each of these compliments and supports each other.

 

The Roles of Landscaping in Campus Space Management in Nigeria A Study of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

The aesthetic quality of most of the universities’ campus environment in Nigeria de- serves attention considering the inadequate, misused and mismanagement of the campuses’ open spaces. This has exerted a major strain on the welfare and productiv- ity of people (staff and students) in the universities. This study identifies the evolving positive roles of landscape in campus space management with a particular reference to the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Random sampling method was adopted to collect data and information from the students, staff and heads of Plan- ning and Horticulture Units of the institution. The results show that, challenges fac- ing landscape planning in the university include inadequate finance, inadequate fa- cilities, management problem and attitudinal problem of landscape users. The study recommends proper use and management of open space, landscape elements, out- door rooms with various spatial qualities, and provision of enough funds to Planning and Horticulture units for landscape planning and environmental improvements.

The telecommunications industry in Somali provides communication and information services such as, delivery of voice and data over different networks, including mobile networks. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) has grown to become one of the most used communication system in Somalia compared to fixed lines (landlines) because of instability in the country. The mobile subscribers have rapidly increased in the last five years. On the other hand, service qualities provided by the GSM operators in Somalia have remained extremely bad, and the service quality suffering from a high drop calls rate, mostly due to lack of resources. Handover process is a very essential process in the GSM. It’s one of the major key performance indicators in every GSM network, and it’s linked to the quality of service which each service provider strives to attain. The failure of the handover process is regarded as the drop of quality of service which in turn dissatisfies the customers. This thesis, contributes more on improving call drop rate in general, in order to reduce handover failure rate and thus save on upgrade costs. This will be beneficial to GSM service providers to easily optimize their network performance relating to the resource management. This work is focused on Somali Telecommunication Company where data was collected, as a sample representation of the whole region. In this thesis, dynamic guard channel algorithm is presented that was developed using JAVA Software. The algorithm then prioritizes the handover calls over the new calls. All handover calls are ongoing calls and if they are dropped it causes frustrations. Matlab was used to compare real data to the simulated results by use of graphs and charts. From this thesis we were able to establish and come up with a definitive solution to the handover crisis befalling telecommunication companies. Through the Dynamic Guard Channel Algorithm we were able to propose a means of raising the standards of the region get it to adhere to the set International benchmark of communication. Furthermore, there were no additional costs on upgrades incurred and being able to modify and advance an existing system making it operate more efficiently.

Evaluating the Effects of Flooding in Six Communities in Awka Anambra State of Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of flooding in six Communities of Awka including Agulu, Amaenyi, Ezi-Awka, Amikwo, Ifite and Nkwelle. The questionnaire survey method was adopted in which questionnaire was employed in collecting the data from the respondents which was later collated and analyzed. The postulated hypotheses was tested using T-test and the result showed that there is no significant difference in the effects of flooding in the six communities studied in Awka. The study concluded therefore that the effects of the flooding in the six communities in Awka are the same, and some of the major effects of flooding in the communities in Awka include: road congestion, accident, damage of buildings, destruction of properties, health problems, reduction of aesthetic beauty of the environment, increase in poverty level and death. The study thus recommends that the masses be conscientized about these harmful effects of flooding in the area and their role in fighting flooding through a collaboration with the government and non-governmental organizations or an integrated approach. The awareness of the masses on the dangers facing them will cause them to take up their responsibilities and join forces with the government and non-gorvernmental bodies to contain the menace.

1.0 Introduction

1.1.Background of the Study

Floods are environmental hazards of meteorological phenomena, but very often induced by man’s improper utilization or abuse of the physical environment. Flooding can be defined as an overflow that comes from a river or other body of water and causes or threatens damage. (Adebayo and Jegede, 2010). Floods are among the most dramatic forms of interaction between man and his environment. They occur both in the developed or developing world and are always associated with heavy loses of lives and properties, misery, hardship, diseases, and at times, famine.

Floods have benefits but also cause multiple problems. Floods occur world-wide, often after heavy rain in areas. Once the flood water clear away, it leaves behind a variety of different effects on the land, animals and people. While many people view flooding as having a solely negative effect, positive things can also result in aftermath of a flood. Flooding causes structural and environmental damage to landscape. Floods erode soil, often on a large scale bases. This displacement of soil leads to the weakening of structures like houses and bridges. Ebisemiju (1993), opines that the most significant impact of flooding arises from urbanization, because it involves deforestation, land-use changes, temperature modification of soil physical properties and structures and the exposure of bare soil surfaces especially of construction sites all of which bring about changes in the morphological and hydrological state of water.

Flood waters can destroy homes and businesses; disrupt road, rail and communication lines, and rain crops and agricultural land. Floods can also disrupt drainage and sewage systems, presenting a serious health hazard resulting from pollution and water borne-disease. Flooding of river is a natural phenomenon. The damage caused by flooding however has increased due to decreasing space for rivers and growing population pressure on valley grounds and wetlands It is now generally accepted that increasing urban coverage and other development have led to a worldwide increase in both the risk and economic burden of floods.

Flooding and excessive rainfall have caused massive erosion landslides and loss of soil nutrient in places in Anambra state especially Awka, resulting to other environmental problems.

1.2  Statement of Problem

Recently, in Northern Nigeria, flood displaced more than two million people as the flood gates on Challawa and Tiga dams were opened to release rising waters along the Niger River. Flooding has also affected at least 300,000 people, submerging hundreds of Communities in Niger State . Flooding has wreaked havoc across many other parts of Nigeria in recent years, including the following states: Anambra in the east, Sokoto in the northwest, Borno in the northeast, Plateau in the centre and Yobe in the north.

Over the years in Anambra State, flood has remained a worrisome natural problem which successive governments in the State could not effectively solve. Flood therefore is still a problem in areas like Awka, Oko, Onitsha, Agamelu, Aguleri, Umuleri, and Adani. In most areas of the state, such as Awka, Oko and Onitsha, flooding has posed a major concern to the occupants of properties. The access roads to some of these properties

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Certification/Approval

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

Background of the Study

Statement of the Research Problem

Aim and Objectives

Significance of the Study

Scope of the Study

Limitation of the Study

CHAPTER TWO

Literature review and Theoretical Framework

Synthesis of Literature

Gaps in Literature

CHAPTER THREE

Research Methodology

The Area of the Study

Origin and Settlement

Location

Commerce and Industry

Origin of Federal Polytechnic Oko

Research Design

Data Needs

Sources of Data

Population of Study

Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

Instrument for Data Collection

Instrument Validity and Reliability

Method of Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

Data Analysis, Presentation and Discussion

CHAPTER FIVE

Conclusion and Recommendation

Summary

Conclusion

Recommendations

References

CHAPTER 1

F00TBALL ACADEMY

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Academy of football or just The academy is a nickname of English football club westham United. The pays homage to the success of the club in coaching talented younger players. The title, originally attributed to the club by the club and is displayed in several prominent place around the stadium such as being printed beside the club crest on the artificial surface surround the pitch at upton park.

The original tribute intended to reference the entire culture of the club, in much the same way as the Liverpool “boot boot” it was not solely reserved for the education of young players, but also for the development of a modern approach to football from the root up as inspired by the success of the Hungarian national term featuring fence puskas that had humiliated England 6-3 and the great real Madrid side cup of the lates 1950s that dominated European cup.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Due to the complaint from both staffs and students regarding to football academy there is need to build football academy building.
To determine proper location for easily accesses.
To provide adequate space that will accommodate both staffs, football and some necessary facilities.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To determine a suitable location for football academy building.
To design the football academy building.
iii. To establish comfortable spaces in Federal Polytechnic football academy building.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of the study will significantly contribute to the design for football academy building in Federal Polytechnic Oko.

The study will also provide a suitable location for the football academy building, for easy access for student and staffs.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is made to evaluate the location, design and space of football academy in federal polytechnic oko.
It covered only football academy in Federal Polytechnic Oko not at Atani campus.
1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The following limitations are inherent in the study

They were no register to access.
There were no much interesting students so; they find it difficult to accept the questionnaire from the researcher.