Landscape Planning and Sustainable Ecological Management of Nigerian Universities: Akwa Ibom State University Example (Published)
The study was conducted in Obio Akpa Campus of Akwa Ibom State University located in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The University campus is situated on a very beautiful physical terrain: undulating land surfaces inter spaced by a shallow valley. It has a very unique attractive appearance. However, it is this very nature of its environment that makes it highly sensitive and vulnerable to ecological hazards. Recently, the campus has experienced many new physical development projects such as construction of new class rooms, staff offices, laboratories, etc. It was observed that the land cover elements removed during the process of constructing these buildings were not replaced after the buildings completion. Consequently, the wash away effects of the heavy and frequent incidence of rainfall in this ecological zone are taking serious toll on the University environment, even posing danger of sudden collapse to some buildings. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the use of landscape planning as a tool to check further degradation of the University environment and its neighborhood. The Geographic Information System (GIS) methods were adopted to generate the data. The study has identified areas requiring very urgent landscape attention. A space view image of this section of the campus was processed and presented. Also, a model landscape design was prepared and presented. Landscaping of the surroundings of all the buildings and the entire university surroundings, provisions of paved driveways, walkways, parking areas and coordinated rain water drain channels were among the recommendations.
Keywords: Akwa Ibom State University, Landscape planning, Nigeria, ecological management