The Roles of Landscape in Campus Space Management in Nigeria
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to investigate The roles of landscape in campus space management in Nigeria
The study has the following specific objectives
- To examine the specific functions of landscape in assisting the learning process
- To investigate the impact of landscape in assisting the development of awareness towards the school environment
- To analyze the level of awareness of the environment based on the functional score of each landscape component
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Concept of Landscape
Nuttgens defines the term landscape in its widest sense and equated it with the envi- ronment which is literally our surrounding Nuttgens (1973). Landscape evolves as a result of interac- tion between man (as an individual) and “non-human” (as a set of process or a store house of materials). It is the back-cloth against which we can measure the importance of our activities and the scale of our personalities. There is a clear distinction between landscape planning and landscape design. Landscape planning is likened to environ- mental planning which embraces a broad field of activities within the ambit of the out- door scene and other components of man’s environment Ibimilua(2014). It is a process concerned with activities geared toward the articulation of existing open space for the purpose of enhancing the quality of the environment Essaghah(1997). Landscape design on the other hand, is defined primarily as a fine art whose most important function is to create and preserve beauty in the surroundings of human habitations and broader natural scenery of the country Wright(2008).
The enormous and the accelerating expansion of the technological development of human race have produced a corresponding expansion in the humanization, urbaniza- tion and the sterilization of the landscape. This has aggravated the misuse of land re- sources, haphazard urban development, piece meal and uncharted rural development. Fadamiro opines that the objective of landscaping is to consider the entire landscape as experienced by individual human beings, and general design processes as key issues which are applied to specific projects like gardens, parks and cities Mitchell (2014). Professions like planning, engineering, architecture and landscape architecture are most directly involved in the design of landscape, in which graphic design, object design, industrial design, painting and sculpture play important roles.
Types of Landscape
Mitchell identified three basic types of landscape, viz:
- Primary
- natural and
- cultural landscapes
Primary landscape occurs from the purely natural factors without human interference . The natural landscape is a creation that emanates from the first stage of transformation of the natural environment by human interference. The cultural landscape becomes obvious when the changes introduced by human activities are so deep and basically involve maintenance of the newly attained stability only by constant interference of man.
Two main types of cultura1landscapes exist. These include; harmonious landscape which occurs when the landscape is adopted and fits well into the character of the natural environment and the degraded cultural landscape which occurs when man, after using its new economic activities looks for excessive benefits, thus, causing the permanent and progressive growth of desirable changes in the natural en- vironment
Elements Of Importance In Landscaping
The elements of importance in landscaping include plant materials, such as trees, shrubs, ground covers and grasses Elmond, J.B. (1975) . They are used in different areas for design according to their required functions like accent, softening, screening, framing and shading. Man-made structural materials are used for enclosure, surfacing and transmission or circulation within and between spaces provided. However, the essential principles for their effective use include the knowledge of the inherent characteristic and properties of the materials. Invariably, landscape elements are all forms of planting and vegetation, adjustments, refinements or designed developments in ground forms, rock groupings and water patterns; all constructions excluding completely enclosed buildings or primary institution, engineering structures such as walks, terraces, steps, walls, screens, shelters, play area, and so on Hess, G.R. and Fischer, R.A. (2001). These are the elements used to develop and refine spaces between, around, or within buildings and vehicular routes when they occur either intentionally or accidentally.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Introduction
In this chapter, the researcher presented the procedure that was used in the study under the following headings: research design, area of the study, population of the study, sample and sampling technique, instrument for data collection, validation of instrument and method of data analysis.
Research Design
This study made use of survey research design that allowed the use of questionnaire to gather data from the respondents at schools in Ekiti. Descriptive research was designed and well-thought-out with a view to statistically infer the obtained information on the population
Population
The population are for this study was both students and staff of some selected secondary schools in Illorin. Information needed for this study was supplied from the respondents.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Analysis of Research Question One
What are the specific functions of landscape in assisting the learning process
Table 4.1. Function of landscape in assisting the learning process.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary of Findings
The overall results of the analysis tend to suggest the roles of landscape in campus space management in Nigeria. This study has proven that the levels of function of certain components of landscape at the schools in the region are significantly related to both academic achievements and environmentally related competition awards, at least at the average and poor levels. At the said levels, the function of landscape in assisting the learning process involves the entire components of landscape at schools and this includes hard components such as bench, garden tables, sign boards, flower pots, and soft elements such as shade trees, plants, fruits, grass, herbs and others. Such findings are in agreement with study by Kaplan et al. (1998) which emphasized that the interaction with natural elements such as plants, water source or outdoor surroundings without any limitations could reduce psychological pressure in human daily life.
In terms of learning processes, reduced psychological pressure would allow positive attitudes to develop and stimulate students’ learning interest which is desirable in the process of learning at school.This finding tends to support previous studies by Ke-Tsung Han (2009) that the students’ interactions with plants could help reduce the negative emotions, increase positive thoughts, reduces physical preassure and develops the students’ interest towards learning. Landscape components have active psychological relationship with man, could provide benefit towards mental stability, improving the behavior and improve health conditions (Wells 2000; Taylor et al. 2001).
Beautiful landscapes do not only enhanced the aesthetic value of school’s the environment but also to a certain extent helps to reduce the surrounding temperature which is essential to learning processes. Apart from that, landscape also plays the role as a security element, contribute to stabilize the students’ and teachers’ mental and psychology. Thus, landscape that has an identity and educationally related concept not only could assist in the learning process but also nourish students’ affection towards the environment.
Environmentally related activities such as recycle and reuse of waste materials not only increase safety, security and cleanliness of the school compounds but also encourage students to love the environment as previously proven in other study by Malone & Tranter (2003).By inculcating positive attitudes and values towards environment students would appreciate their surrounding school environment.
Conclusion
This study has demonstrated why landscape should be integrated in schools and the relationship between the outdoor physical environment and the performance of the students whether academic performance or social behaviour. The architects must put into their consideration the design of the outdoor environment as well as the school buildings or the interior of the classroom, creating a suitable environment that help the students to relax and concentrate on the educational curriculum and having a clear mind with brilliant thoughts to help their society to be developed in the future. Also, instill the respect of the environment and the nature generating a sustainable context, which helps in creating healthier life.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are drawn;
- The school management has to focus and give importance to the landscape components which are available within the school compound for the purpose of usage for the students and for their existence
- Ekiti state government should renovate secondary schools in the state and integrate landscape design that is environmentally healthy for students.
- This study also recommend that educational policy makers in the state should make it a compulsory for both private and secondary schools i n the state to have a visible landscape.
- Trees of different species should be introduced at car parks, strategic and organized open spaces to control global warming by maintaining the amount of carbon (IV) oxide in the atmosphere and also serve as wind breaker
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