Page 1 of 14
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/jsmap/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 04 Issue 09
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/jsmap/ P a g e | 232
Factors Affecting Landscape Design in Nigeria Tertiary Institution
(A Case Study of Auchi Polytechnic)
1TPL. Adeniyi, Joshua Olu; 2Ezekiel Ufuoma Lucky;
3Aliyu Abdul-Ahad Oare;
1. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo Nigeria
Email: hadeniyijoe54@yahoo.com (+2348033536010|+2348136937679)
2. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo Nigeria
ezekfoma@yahoo.co.uk (+2348104889531)
3. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo Nigeria
aliyuoare@gmail.com (+2348068893364)
Abstract
Landscape is simply the scenery of the environment that appeals to the human sense of beauty;
this perception is brought about by the combination/ mix of natural and man-made physical
features that makes up the environment. This study looked at the factors affecting landscaping in
Auchi polytechnic. The data used for the study was the primary and secondary source of data.
From the findings of the study it was deduced that various factors ranging from climate, soil, slope,
topography, poor refuse disposal, erosion, negligence and corruption are the major factors
affecting landscape in the institution. A landscape proposal was made by the researchers to help
curb the problem and it was recommended that landscaping should be incorporated from the design
stage of institutional building projects, regular maintenance programme should be carried out
periodically to ensure that the facilities are kept to the require standard among others.
Keywords: Design, Institution, Landscape, Management
1.0 Introduction
Landscape can be seen from numerous perspectives. Landscape refers to an area as
perceived by a person. It is the scenery that appeals to the human sense of beauty; this perception
is brought about by the combination/ mix of natural and man-made physical features that makes
up the environment. Landscaping also refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an
area of land which includes natural elements such as landforms, terrain and water bodies, fauna
and flora and all forms of man-made development.
Page 2 of 14
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/jsmap/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 04 Issue 09
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/jsmap/ P a g e | 233
Landscape is often divided into two major types; natural and man-made landscape. This
can further be broken down into hard and soft landscape. Most of the natural landscapes are usually
soft landscape which includes living elements such as flora and fauna, aside rocks and other
landforms. However, most man-made landscape is usually hard landscape elements. These could
include a combination of buildings, road/pathway, drainage system and so on.
Campus landscape is also often seen as a factor affecting student’s choice of institution
while seeking admission. It embodies cultural as well as aesthetic values. The landscape is the first
view people see as they approach the campus or as they walk through the institution. The campus
landscape is an institution’s showcase; it is the front door, and the welcome page. It often reveals
more about a college, polytechnic or university than all the pamphlets, banners or speeches by
recruiters and administrators (Judy, 2013).
The benefits of natural landscapes are diverse, and include environmental, social and
economic factors. Sustainable landscaping practices can have positive impacts on plants, water,
and land use, can help reduce stress and improve the general health of people living in urban
environments, and can be significantly cheaper to maintain. Meanwhile, the increasing area of
urban paved surfaces is increasing storm water runoff. Both the benefits and drawbacks of different
landscaping practices have significant impacts on the campus itself as well as people’s interaction
with it (Aliyu, 2017).
Auchi Polytechnic, one of the leading polytechnics in Nigeria and in West Africa, located
in Auchi, Edo state, occupies about 224 hectares and is situated on a stretch of undulating land
along the eastern edge of the town. Despite the efficiency of the school, there abound some salient
problems facing the landscape design culture and maintenance in the school. These ranges from
conflict between pedestrian and vehicular road way, lack of parking lots, indiscriminate parking
activities, general absence of unified design in terms of site furnishings, landscaping, lighting,
outdoor spaces, circulation; poor view and vista in the environment which can be chained to the
sub-conscious landscaping culture of the polytechnic, inadequate waste management system as
well as management functions. Thus, there is the need to look at the factors affecting landscape
design and beautification in Nigeria tertiary institution with Auchi polytechnic in view.
2.0 Literature Review
Page 3 of 14
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/jsmap/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 04 Issue 09
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/jsmap/ P a g e | 234
2.1 Concept of Sustainable Development and Landscape Design
Sustainable development is a pattern of economic development in which resources used
aims to meet human needs while conserving same resources and the environment so that it satisfies
the present generation’s need and also the needs of future generations.
Sustainable landscaping is a way of looking at landscape as an integral part of the
environment. Landscape design is concerned basically with the creation and preservation of beauty
in the surrounding human habitation and the broaden urban and rural natural scenery with the aim
of promoting comfort, convenience and health of urban population which have scanty access to
natural scenery and urgently need to have their boring working lives refreshed and calmed by the
beautiful and reposeful sight and sound which nature aided by landscape art can abundantly
provide.
2.2 Importance of Landscaping to the Environment
The importance of landscape in the environment cannot be overemphasized. The
importance includes but not limited to:
1. The preservation and conservation of sufficient open space to serve the recreational,
environmental, health and safety needs of the geographic location.
2. Conservation of unique natural features, scenic areas, cultural and appropriate historical
monuments for the benefit and enjoyments of the public.
3. Provide an open space system which provides identity, form and a visual framework to the
environment
4. Conserve and/or preserve those open space areas containing the environmental and nature
resources including air and water.
5. Provide access as well as other planning concepts, where appropriate, to open space lands
use plan.
6. Optimize land use by finding the possible and best areas for development.
2.3 Impact of Organized Landscaping on Academic Institution
The characteristic of a landscape help defines the self-image of the people who inhabit it
and a sense of place that differentiates one region from another. Developing the landscape of an
