Emphasizing Landscape Elements as Important Components of a Sustainable Built Environment in Nigeria

Many residential areas in the built environment in the developing countries with reference to Nigeria are generally unattractive and lack basic landscape elements. Landscape elements encompass both natural and artificial features used to create a befitting visual presentation within the built environment; as such its role cannot be overemphasized. In line with the ethos of sustainable development, sustainability is an important concept in today’s urban planning, as such landscaping can be used to play a revitalizing role in the continued depletion and degradation of the natural environment. This paper examines the poor state of many residential areas in the built environment in Nigeria and the impact on the physical outlook. It further discusses landscape elements and their use in the built environment and the benefits of landscaping to a sustainable built environment. Using a case study approach the study looks at two residential housing estates in Akure, Nigeria to ascertain the extent to which landscaping elements have been used. The case study established that landscaping elements do not exist in many parts of the estates and where there is, lack adequate maintenance. The paper concludes that landscaping plays a vital role in achieving a sustainable built environment and therefore need to be incorporated in the Nigerian built environment. Keywords: Built Environment, Landscape Elements, Landscaping, Sustainabilit

River-Based Cultural Landscapes and the Challenges of Flood Disaster in the Tropics

Cultural Landscapes are unique in their appeal not only to the host communities but more to tourists and serve more than the purpose of mere sightseeing, they are enriched with physical tangible and intangible qualities of our heritage. The history of a people are often woven around such environments because their socio-religious links are without a doubt attached to it. These sites, apart from its historical qualities contain natural elements such as rocks, hills, rivers, caves and are today developed for tourism with so much investment being committed to achieving maximum benefits of tourism. However, with the challenges of climate change and most especially flood for sites which are river-based, hopes may be dashed, and development swept away just in one episode of flood when prevention is not considered. This paper, therefore, examines the challenges of flood on such heritage sites using the Osun-Osogbo Grove as a case study. Observation method was used to gather necessary information from tour guides and frequent users of the site. It holds that in the redesign of such sites, integration of control, mitigation of flood risk and other man-made enclosures is essential to cope with the challenge and therefore prevent destruction. It then discusses some of the ways these design goals can be accomplished. It closes by recommending how the strategies can be propagated to the stakeholders. Keywords- Cultural landscape, Disaster, Flood, Osun Osogbo Grove, Risk Control DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-7-06 Publication date:July 31st 2019

Strategies for Mitigating Building Collapse in Nigeria: Roles of Architects and Other Stakeholders in the Building Industry

Collapse of buildings is one of the several failures of building projects and results either in loss of lives, properties and in some cases both. Often times the professionals in the building industry made up of Architects, Engineers, Planners, Quantity Surveyors, Land Surveyors, Estate Surveyors, Town Planners,  Builders and Project Manager trade blames on who should be held responsible for the failure. Many factors can be adduced to the continuous occurrences of building collapse which, include inadequate monitoring of construction sites by government officials as a result of the vast and fast pace of developments in many Nigerian urban centres; as well as the use of substandard materials, improper soil investigations, bad design and supervision, poor quality construction and poor funding by clients. Using the secondary source of data collection, the paper discusses the roles the architect could play both in practice and in architectural education in mitigating building collapse. Findings reveal that mitigation of building collapse can be achieved in Nigeria through collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved and concludes that architectural education could serve a supportive role. Keywords: Architects, Architectural Education, Building Collapse, Mitigation, Nigeri

Enhancing and developing sustainable tourism through landscaping in Nigeria

The need to develop tourism and diversify as well as redirect the Nigerian economy away from crude oil as the sole foreign exchange earner is overwhelming for several reasons. Not only does tourism hold huge capacity to forge effective backward and forward linkages with the rest of the economy, it has proved to be a significant foreign exchange earner and a major source of employment and income in many developing countries. Given Nigeria’s many tourist attractions, tourism has the potential to attract huge internal capital investment as well as foreign direct investments necessary to enhance tourist infrastructure provisions and services. This is particularly so in rural areas given that most tourist attractions in Nigeria are rural based, and where tourism development can become a catalyst for rural development particularly where tourism is developed within the tenets of sustainable development. Presently, Nigeria’s tourism industry is rudimentary, undeveloped, and suffers from chronic shortages of infrastructure as well as supporting and enhancing institutions. In particular, the lack of awareness and appreciation for landscaping in particular, and the environment in general, has compounded the problems of tourism development in Nigeria. This research is motivated by the desire to understand the structure, conduct, and performance of the tourism sector in Nigeria and emphasise, amongst other factors, the significant role landscaping could play in the desire for sustainable tourism in Nigeria. In conducting the research, a mixed methods research approach was employed using the sequential strategy of quantitative survey; followed by a qualitative data gathering method using interviews. These were conducted among tourism stakeholders within two geopolitical zones in Nigeria, namely, the North-central and the South-west. This approach was informed by the pragmatic philosophy adopted by the researcher, which allows the triangulation of methods in order to come up with a more comprehensive and complementary results on the focus of this research. Data obtained were critically analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSSx) and Nvivo8 software. The research identified setbacks which have prevented sustainable tourism development in Nigeria. Also is the need for the beautification of the attractions through landscaping as well as the provision of tourism infrastructures. The implication of the findings is that if landscaping is not made the centre of tourism policy, tourism is likely to fall short of expectation. A conceptual framework for the way forward was suggested based on the outcome of the analyses and two regression models developed and presented the roles landscaping could play in sustainable tourism and in Nigeria economic diversification. If implemented, the suggestions should provide a solid basis for redressing the current pitfalls in Nigeria’s tourism landscape

Communal Facilities and Residential Neighbourhoods in Akure, Nigeria

Availability of communal facilities within the neighbourhoods helps to meet various social needs. At the same time satisfies current needs of the local communities without exerting strain on the existing facilities to the detriment of future demand. The focus of this paper is on communal facilities in selected residential estates in Akure, the capital city of Ondo state, Nigeria. Using the primary and secondary sources of data collection, the paper takes a critical look at the importance of communal facilities in neighbourhoods and examines the adequacy of communal facilities in residential areas in Nigeria. Two residential estates in Akure namely: Alagbaka and Ijapo estates were studied through the use of questionnaire and direct observations, to elicit relevant data relating to social, economic and environmental variables. Data obtained were collated and findings from empirical survey presented in the single factor descriptive analysis. Findings from the study affirm that the communal facilities available within the study area were inadequate. The paper recommends public enlightenment, environmental education, upgrading of existing facilities to acceptable standard. Keywords: Communal Facilities, Neighbourhood, Residential Estates, Housin

Tourism as a means of income generation for developing countries: focus on Nigeria

Nigeria as a developing country has long depended on oil and agriculture for its foreign exchange earnings. It can positively improve her economy by encouraging and investing in tourism of which she is richly blessed. Tourism in developing countries if focused on will in no small measure contribute to the economic growth. The methodology employed in this paper is direct observation and visits to some tourist sites in Nigeria, combined with relevant literature search. There are tourist attractions which cut across all countries in Africa, but to a large extent they are relatively undeveloped. This paper looks at tourism in some African countries and tourism in Nigeria at a closer observation; attempt is made at highlighting the shortfalls and ways in which these can be developed to help the potentials especially in area of income generation; factors which attract tourists to various potentials are also highlighted. The paper further discusses the benefits of tourism not only to the individual but to a developing Nigerian nation as a means of income generation. The financial benefits, the employment opportunities, developmental possibilities and other attractions that awareness and promotion of these potentials will portend for Nigeria were examined and recommend ways in which resources can be developed to international standard and sustained to generate income

Promoting Tourism in Araromi, Ondo State through the Integration of Bamboo, Stone, and Laterite in Beach Resort Architecture

The tourism industry is an essential driver of economic growth as it draws in tourists to explore diverse destinations and engage in various experiences. Even so, the tourism sector in Nigeria is presently underdeveloped and makes a negligible contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This inquiry focuses on Araromi, a locality in Ilaje, Ondo State, Nigeria, renowned for possessing the most extensive coastal stretch in the nation. The study puts forth a proposition for a beach resort design that is both sustainable and economically feasible, incorporating bamboo, stone, and laterite. The study investigates the advantages and modern methods of using indigenous materials, specifically bamboo, stone, and laterite, in building design by carrying out three case studies and collecting and analysing data from 60 questionnaires. Araromi region boasts an abundant and readily available supply of these materials. Results suggest that Stabilised Compressed Earth Blocks (SCEBs) made from bamboo, stone, and laterite can be viable substitutes for steel and concrete in non-structural elements. Integrating these materials can reduce construction and maintenance expenses while providing the beach resort with a unique traditional appearance that may appeal to visitors and promote tourism in Araromi, in Ondo State. The study points out the potential of bamboo, stone, and laterite as fundamental constituents in sustainable design, fostering economic progress through tourism promotion. Building designs in Araromi can exhibit the region's cultural heritage while providing a distinctive and eco-friendly experience for tourists by efficiently using the available natural resources. The use of these indigenous materials will promote the advancement of Nigeria's tourism sector. Keywords: Araromi. Beach Resort Architecture, Economic Development, Indigenous Materials, Tourism Promotion DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/64-06 Publication date: May 30th 202

Analyses of the Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks for Tourism Development of Cultural Landscape

The exposure of the cultural landscape to tourism activities puts a lot of pressure on the common heritage of man with a possibility of the loss of the attractions to the landscape. This often happens because the necessary attention to the development of such fragile touristic sites are absent thus exposing them to stages of deterioration. This paper is a review of theoretical issues related to the development and sustainability of the cultural landscape.  Through the review of literatures, previous models such as, General System Theory (Cuervo, 1967), Cultural landscape Management framework (2006), Diamond Model for sustainable tourism (2017), and The Ethical tourism model (2008), a conceptual framework for the sustainability of the cultural landscape was developed. The study, however, provides useful information for the development and conservation of a cultural landscape through a framework that can inform policy makers in the tourism industry. Keywords: Cultural Landscape; Framework; Models; Tourism Development; Sustainability. DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/59-02 Publication date:October 31st 202

Investigating the Relevance of Cultural Landscapes in Tourism Experience in Abeokuta

Tourism is a modern global phenomenon, and the synergy between this phenomenon and cultural landscapes has increased the demand at both local and international levels. This paper investigates the relationship between cultural landscape and tourism, especially in Abeokuta, Ogun State. This is on the premise of bringing about sustainable development in tourism, thereby enhancing the cultural and economic values of the site. The study is important as it provides a medium for the assessment of Abeokuta cultural landscapes, and relates the influencing factors with the assessment results. This was carried out through a critical review of existing literature on cultural landscapes and the inseparable link with tourism, as well as an empirical investigation using the quantitative method of data collection through questionnaire survey on all stakeholders in the tourism industry in Abeokuta. The data generated from the survey were analyzed and results were expressed in percentages. The findings revealed that cultural landscapes actually have a positive input regarding sustainable development, and also have immense contributions towards the wellbeing of man. It also brought to limelight, the factors contributing to the quality of landscapes in Abeokuta. The paper therefore strongly recommends that adequate information should be made available to all stakeholders to improve their interest and participation, which brings about effective management, and subsequently, sustainable tourism. Keywords: Cultural Landscape, Abeokuta, Sustainable Tourism, Tourists Sites. DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/55-04 Publication date:March 31st 202

Predicting the Effects of Economic Diversification on Sustainable Tourism Development in Nigeria

Abstract Tourism is as of the largest economic sector, generates employ ment and foster growth in many countries. Nigeria, a mono economy country, generates eighty percent of the nation's foreign exchange and remains heavily dependent on crude oil. Ho wever, with tourism still at its infancy, Nigeria stands to benefit fro m diversifying the nation's economy through tourism. There is therefore the need to consider and put more efforts in developing the tourism sector to serve as added avenue through which the over reliance on crude oil can be outcome. The aim of the study is to investigate the role tourism wou ld play if the Nigerian economy is diversified through tourism. This was carried out using the quantitative method of data collection in combination with the use of relevant literature. The findings report the result fro m a linear model through the multiple regressions analysis for the prediction of tourism's prospect in the Nigerian economy if diversified. The study corroborates the literature and showed the empirical support of effects of tourism on the Nigerian economy and concludes that tourism would be of immense benefit to the Nigerian econo my