The aesthetic quality of most of the universities’ campus environment in Nigeria deserves attention considering the inadequate, misused and mismanagement of the campuses’ open spaces. This has exerted a major strain on the welfare and productivity 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 Planning and Horticulture Units of the institution. The results show that, challenges facing landscape planning in the university include inadequate finance, inadequate facilities, management problem and attitudinal problem of landscape users. The study recommends proper use and management of open space, landscape elements, outdoor rooms with various spatial qualities, and provision of enough funds to Planning and Horticulture units for landscape planning and environmental improvements.
Rapid urbanization in developing nations of the world is quite obvious. In Nigeria, the uncontrolled intensification of land use at the designated business cores of its urban centres (nodes) is now an issue of serious planning and management concerns. Governments at various levels are currently facing the daunting challenge of controlling these urban physical and social problems of almost defied solution which planners are striving to address with planning-driven strategies. The interest in Akure for this research is because it is an urban centre and the administrative capital of Ondo State that has witnessed immense development and growth in commercial activities with incidents of multiple dysfunctional nodes. This paper disaggregates Akure into the specific neighbourhoods with nodes using remotely sensed and demographic data for analysis of relationship between planned and unplanned nodes in the city viz-a-viz the effect on spatial interaction. This will help to generate effective business core and management toolkits for urban planners, environmental managers and students/researchers while representing advisory mechanism to government and non-governmental organisations. Reinvigorating Urban Nodes and Spatial Growth in Akure, Nigeria. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317106101_Reinvigorating_Urban_Nodes_and_Spatial_Growth_in_Akure_Nigeria [accessed Jun 22, 2017].
One of the fundamental problems affecting millions of Nigerians is lack of access to safe sources of water. This study assesses the level of access to safe water by the inhabitants of Akure. Two thousand eight hundred and eighty one (2881) residential buildings in four residential neighbourhoods of Akure represent the research population. Using systematic random sampling technique, questionnaires were administered on a married woman in a household at every 10th building interval thus, giving a sample size of two hundred and eighty eight (288) respondents. Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. Analysis of data revealed that; private well was the major source of water supply in Akure, most of which were not protected and treated, Government at the state and local levels could not satisfy the safe water needs of their citizenry and the relatively few water supply facilities provided by government were in a state of disrepair. Some practicable recommendations were made based on research findings.
Regional planning considers sustenance of rural commuting zone to reduce migration to urban centres. Igusin is a peri-urban settlement to Akure – the capital city of Ondo State, Nigeria. About 225 respondents were sampled in the community, while data analysis utilized simple descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. Research findings show that people migrate from the community to Akure due to lack of infrastructural facilities, amenities and employment opportunities among others. Policy measures were recommended based on research findings to improve on the development planning of the community.
Aims: To examine the level of socioeconomic and physical development of Ogbese town vis-à-vis the regional development potentials. Study Design: Reconnaissance survey and administration of questionnaires were carried out in the study. Place and Duration of Study: Ogbese region in Akure Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, between July and August, 2013. Methodology: We sampled 96 respondents in the study region (Ogbese 60, Elemo 8, Benin 7, Owode 9, Araromi 7 and Lisa 5). Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. Results: Research findings show that agriculture as the spine of the rural regional economy is declining due to the financial constraints and failure of the farmers and traders to harness labor and facilities for effective operations. Conclusion: Policy measures were recommended based on research findings to improve the economies of the rural environment.
This paper reports the locational factors impacting local rice (Igbemo rice) marketing in Ekiti State, Nigeria in the context of African regional requirements for food security and economic development. Seventeen (17) markets were randomly selected in the study region in six (6) Local Government Areas (LGAs). Two hundred and ninety one (291) respondents were interviewed, representing total census of the local rice sellers in the selected markets. The study employed the multiple linear regression model for data analysis. Marketers mode of selling, price of rice, income of the marketer and expenditure on marketing are crucial locational factors impacting rice marketing. The paper explores spatial distribution of rice as a staple food around a production centre in Nigeria. Based on the significant role of the marketers location in the distribution processes, it offers useful planning policies, in particular, marketing centres, good transportation infrastructure and establishment of micro-credit unions that can enhance the revenue base of the traders. The paper makes recommendations geared towards improving rice marketing business in the region.