CITIES IN NIGERIA NEEDS URBAN DESIGN FOR COMFORT AND SAFETY
1Arc. Boyce A. Odoko2Okoduwa. O. Joseph.
1Department of Architecture, National Institute of Construction Technology. Uromi, Edo State.
2Department of Survey and Geoinformatics. National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo State.
Email: odokoarch@yahoo.com
Abstract: Nigerian urban centers needs to provide facilities for the inhabitants for their comfort, convenience and safety. Amenities, such as, Parks, Cinema Center, Grocery Stores, Shopping Mall, good Roads and Suburban areas, just as it is done in the Western world where Nigerians who has the means frequently go and enjoy. Determination of the extent of impact to which the project will change the existing environment’s arrangement and appearance is very crucial. Design change that will result to positive view of pedestrians of the public space is very significant for the community. Provision of street cape with pedestrian walkways that are equipped with pedestrian light poles, seating places, trash receptacles, trees to provide shade and pedestrian cross-walk will create major pleasant environment for the inhabitants of the city. With such development or provision of these amenities, it will not only create positive psychological effect on the inhabitants, but will also give a positive image or picture of good urban development and will also induce good economic growth. People will be very happy to belong in such environment because of the amenities provided for their pleasure. Provision of good road network connected to these amenities will enable the urban inhabitants have access to the facilities. The design process should provide attractive public open spaces to boost high psychological influence on the people and reduce stress by integration of physical built structures and green spaces.
Keywords: Urban Designs, Place Making, Convenience, Accessibility. Comfort and Safety.