http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/203 2026-04-26T22:02:51Z http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5694 ASSESSMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS PERCEPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AESTHETICS IN RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACES IN ABEOKUTA NIGERIA OLANUSI, Adesanya Jubril Environmental aesthetic which is the interaction between people and the environment in relation to beauty illuminates the nature and inspires a deeply held resonance amongst the two. It is the cognitive and the non-cognitive orientations that are brought to bear on an area that considers appreciation of things other than works of art. Components of environmental aesthetics considered within the research context includes the sensual response to the visual and perceived outdoor sound, smell of the air, tactile feelings of the physical spatial elements and taste of food served at a given site. It is challenging to appreciate how individuals perceive, use and experience spaces and facilities provided in recreational open spaces until it is enquired from them. Despite the important role of the correlation between users’ experience and recreational provision, urban planners and operators have continued to neglect stakeholders’ perception. A reconnaissance survey and a pilot study were carried out for the improvement of the quality of the proposed research. Interviews were self-conducted on the twenty-three staff of the ROS with four design professionals. For the full Survey, primary data on socio economic characteristics of respondents were obtained from the residents around the twelve ROS sites in Abeokuta. Systematic random sampling technique was used to administer the questionnaire, within the ROS serving as enumeration centres. The target number of 400 questionnaires sample size obtained from a calculated population figure of 1,294,879.285 were distributed for \completion in various parts of Abeokuta. Due to missing questionnaires, incomplete cases and data access challenges only 372 copies of the questionnaires were completed. The questionnaires were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Responses from the questionnaire were drawn from various parts of the study area. Tables and charts were used in the presentations for descriptive statistics while non- parametric tool of Kendall tau b correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between physical characteristics and environmental aesthetics quality of ROS. Qualitative Analysis was used to ascertain how environmental aesthetics quality of ROS have impacted on the perception of the stakeholders through oral interviews. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to carry out the quantitative analysis. The result indicated that the rating of the aesthetics of the ROS, by the design professionals is slightly lower than that of the end users according to their weighted mean score. The minimal increment and low impact environmental aesthetics quality on user perception and satisfaction is indicative of the few ROS options available. The result on the maintenance strategies and the environmental aesthetic quality of ROS proves that, if the management continues to strategise, there would be an improvement in the quality of environmental aesthetics that can enhance patronage of the ROS. It is recommended that stakeholders be involved in the design, construction and management of ROS for better sustainability of the environment. The participatory contribution by stakeholders in recreational open spaces will promote healthy living and boost the environmental aesthetics of Abeokuta and other similar cities. 2023-02-01T00:00:00Z http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5693 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED WALLING MATERIALS FOR TROPICAL BUILDINGS IN LOKOJA, NIGERIA. MUHAMMED, ADAMU Thermal performance of a building refers to the process of moderating the energy transfer between a building and its surroundings. The knowledge of thermal performances of timber, laterite - cement and sandcrete block walls that are commonly used as walling material is very important for occupants’ well-being in the tropical zone. The study area lies in the warm humid zone with its attendant’s high temperature all year round. Thus, providing an acceptable walling material that will control the high indoor temperature becomes imperative. This thesis assessed the three walling materials that are prominently used in Lokoja, to determine the thermal performances for effective thermal comfort of the residents. It involved the construction of three habitable model buildings using the three selected walling materials of timber, laterite-cement blocks and sandcrete hollow blocks in the area. Three units of Cryopak iMINI Temperature and Humidity Data Loggers called (New generation intelligent iMINI) with Serial Numbers and Product Codes MX-CI-1450007 MX-CI-145-0008, MX-CI-145-0009 and MX-HE-S-16-L were installed to record indoor air temperature and relative humidity data at an interval of one hour, for twelve months covering dry and wet seasons. The recorded data were downloaded to excel spread sheet for assessment and analysis. The values were computed using Temperature- Humidity Index (THI) equation. The study revealed that, timber wall provides better thermal comfort for the indoor environment for both seasons. The mean value - average indoor air temperature of timber walling for dry and wet seasons is 30.10C and 29.50C respectively and the relative humidity is 48.7% in dry season and 72.5% in wet season. Laterite- cement block wall recorded 31.3 0C in dry and 30.0 0C in wet seasons. In the same vain, the recorded data of indoor relative humidity had shown that, 46.1% in dry season and 71.5% in wet season. The third walling material which is the sandcrete hollow block wall recorded Mean Value Average indoor air temperature of 30.5 0C and 29.7 0C in dry and wet seasons respectively. While, the indoor relative humidity was put at 47.8% and 73.8% for dry and wet seasons respectively. Given the foregoing, timber wall material building had the lowest recorded indoor air temperature for both dry and wet season, followed by sandcrete block wall and lastly laterite – cement wall. The study concludes that proper building orientation, provision of soft landscaping elements, introduction of insulation and inclusion of other shading devices can improve users’ comfort. It will also ameliorate the heat effect on the external surface of buildings that is transferred into the interior by conduction, radiation or convection within the area and in the tropics at large. 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5692 ASSESSMENT OF THE PRODUCTION AND USES OF CERAMIC TILES IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA IDOWU, OLUWATUASE IDOWU The study is targeted at assessment of the production and uses of ceramic tiles in southwestern Nigeria. About 80% of ceramic tiles are imported since the few tile producing industries in the country do not have the capacity to satisfy the huge demand for the products. The research effort is therefore, aimed at investigating the current production status and uses of ceramic tiles in south western Nigeria with a view to suggesting ways to promoting its use and at enhancing the indigenous production. It is a combination of qualitative and quantitative research which is social and experimental in nature. The experimental aspect is strived at producing porcelain tiles using local raw materials from the Southwestern part of Nigeria as a cost effective alternative to imported ceramics. In order to achieve the above, field trips were made to different locations in Southwestern Nigeria to collect samples of kaolin (from Ifon), feldspar (from Ijero) and silica (from Igbokoda). A twenty-one (21) member triaxial experimental blend was used to determine the selected materials. Based on preliminary test result, blend 12 with composition of 20% kaolin, 60% silica and 20% feldspar was chosen for the study. However, the test with the above composition was not successful, at the point of application on a larger tile surface. The need for a re-adjustment of the composition with addition of limestone was adopted. The re-adjusted composition was fired to a temperature of 1280oC. The fired samples were successful and could match up with the Nigeria (NIS) and international standard (ISO). The qualitative aspect of the study has to do with the objectives of identifying the sizes of ceramic tiles commonly demanded, the sources of ceramic tiles available in Nigerian market, the factors responsible for the incessant collapse of ceramic industries in the Nigeria as well as the identification of tile consumer preference in the study area. In order to achieve the objectives, one thousand, one hundred and six (1,106) structured questionnaires were administered to elicit respondent opinions. In all, one thousand and twelve (1,012) collected questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage /proportions, multiple bar charts for comparism and chi-square test of independence. Anova and pair wise comparism tests were used as inferential statistics. Acceptable error level was (the precision) taken as 0.05. Based on the analysis, the research indicated specifically that tiles size 400x400mm are the most commonly found in the Nigeria market, Italian tiles are the most commonly supplied and demanded for in Nigeria, high cost of production is responsible for the incessant collapse of most ceramic tile producing outfits in Nigeria and durability was identified as an outstanding property which determines the choice of ceramic tiles in the Nigerian market. It recommended, that Government should give financial assistance in form of tax holiday, reduction of electricity tariff, provision of social amenities at the Government cost and drastic reduction in prices of gas use in firing the tiles. The adoption of the recommendations of this research work by the Government, producers and studio ceramist will definitely enhance the local production of ceramic tiles which is currently put at only 20%. 2016-05-01T00:00:00Z http://196.220.128.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5691 DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIBACTERIAL GAUZE BANDAGE FOR COTTAGE PRODUCTION. ADELAKUN, DEBORAH OLUWAPELUMI The present research sought to develop bandages with different weaving techniques using locally available yarns with the aim of developing the potentials for the production of suitable gauze bandage that have been administered with antimicrobial agents. Two types of yarns namely cotton and polyester were utilized for the present study. Selected yarns were woven on different type of looms (vertically and horizontally) using weaves at the Industrial Design studio of the Federal University of Technology, Akure and the Industrial Design department of Kogi State Polytechnic. The antimicrobial potencies of the herbal extract used, Chromonaela odorata and Vernonia amygdalina were analyzed in the Department of Microbiology Laboratory, FUTA. Similarly, the solubility, flammability and physio-chemical properties of the fibers utilized for the study was carried out. The results shown that the cotton ignited easily and are quickly in contact with flame while polyester melted and shrank on approaching flame, it burnt slowly. The solubility test indicates that cotton dissolves completely while polyester broke into pieces. Cotton under the microscope was flat while polyester was smooth and rod like. of looming, a more delicate, smoother and softer texture was achieved on the vertical loom compared to the horizontal loom. Physio-mechanical test for fibre, the result showed that A and B were made from cellulosic fibre (cotton) while C and D were made from synthetic fibre (polyester). In terms of the physic chemical properties of the plant extract Providential spp. had significantly higher zone than Pseudomonas sp. Both plant extracts used had the same effect on the inhibition zone while aqueous solvent was the most effective. A total of six bacteria were utilized. Bandage treated with aqueous Siam extract significantly hindered the growth of B. lichenformis bitter leaf aqueous extract. This research therefore demonstrates the possibility of making suitable bandages using locally sourced fibres and this will go a long way reducing overdependence on importation of foreign bandages. 2023-05-01T00:00:00Z