Evaluation of Landscaping of Students Hostels at the Gidan Kwano Campus of Federal University of Technology, Minna.

Abstract

Landscape is fundamentally the land as shaped by the climatic conditions and which results in the distribution of existing flora and fauna. It is also the environment inhabited by man and other living creatures. This study is aimed at examining the current landscape design and an evolvement of a landscape design proposal; for the beautification and control of erosion of the institution with a view of creating an environment that is more conducive for academic learning and recreation. The objectives of this study are to examine the existing landscape environment in the institution; identify areas vulnerable to both human and physical constraints in the campus as a result of inadequate landscaping of the students' hostels section of the campus; propose a landscape design for the institution and lastly prepare an implementation proposal for the landscaping of the institution. The data for the study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. The result of the study showed that the study area is devoid of essential landscaping facilities such as organized open spaces, public seat outs, benches, organized pedestrian walk ways, organized drains and culverts for water passage, dearth of organized parking areas for vehicles. Based on the observed environmental and landscape problems in the study area, appropriate recommendations were therefore proffered to resolve the problems through a proto type lands cape design proposal.