Home Project-material AN APPRAISAL ON THE HOUSING CONDITION IN THE AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY SENIOR STAFF QUARTERS, EKPMA

AN APPRAISAL ON THE HOUSING CONDITION IN THE AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY SENIOR STAFF QUARTERS, EKPMA

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Abstract

This essay is a research on the Ambrose Alli University Senior Staff Quarters, Ekpoma, Edo State. The study is aimed at bringing to focus, the problems associated with the building types, standards and environmental conditions in the staff quarters. This research also includes a critical examination, to show if the different building types are suitable for the different categories of the university staff. It further goes to proffer solution to the general problems, both on the general layout and the dwelling types.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

          Shelter is one of man’s basic needs after food. Man needs not only to be protected from the hazards effects of undesirable weather elements, but also needs a well defined functional space in which he would be able to carry out his daily activities. Thus, over the years, all over the earth surface, man has erected structures which can give him this functional enclave to carry out his daily activities.

By functional, we mean a defined atmosphere where there is a degree of comfortability and desirability in which these activities are carried out. These includes amongst others, privacy when needed, thermal comfort, as related to the climatic condition, adequacy in spatial definition, functionality in special relationship e.t.c

Whereas, in private dwellings, the client is able to interact with the architect to get his desired house, most public houses are such that the user has little or no contribution to the house he is been provided with.

An example of one of such public housing schemes is the  Edo State University senior staff Quarters, Ekpoma. From the survey carried out, it was discovered that there exists some basic architectural problems, ranging from the general layout to the individual housing units. These shall be discussed in the course of this essay with possible solutions proffered.

STUDY AREA

1.1     HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE UNIVERSITY AND     THE STAFF QUARTERS

 

          The Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, was first established by the 1981 Bendel State University Ekpoma laid and was later replaced by the  Bendel State University Edict 1984. In it, it was stated that “it shall serve to advance knowledge, wisdom and understanding by teaching and research with the ultimate purpose of service to the community.

The university had five faculties which were: Faculty of Natural sciences, Faculty of  Arts and Social Science, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Engineering and Technology and Faculty of Environmental science formally known college of Environmental design.

The university grow in size as the years went by and some other faculties were introduced. These were the faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Education.

As the university grew, the staff strength increased. The university took off with a total of 707,96 staff been academic staff while 613  been non-academic both junior and senior staffs.

Following this explosion in the university population, the need for a permanent site arose, then the development of the site was embarked upon this was locate at Emaudo, a village in Ekpoma.

The permanent site, included the university core, the students residential centre and the senior staff Quarters. Topographically the site was hilly and undulating in nature. This resulted to devastating erosion and drainage problems.

As a result of this, there was a relocation of the permanent site at Ujemen, a village along the Benin-Auchi highway. Map II shows the permanent site. Presently, it has been able to build up a nursery which is comprising the academic core, the administrative centre and the students accommodation.

  • THE UNIVERISTY SENIOR STAFF QUARTERS

The site which is located off Ukhun road, Ekpoma is about 5.6 kilometers from the abandoned Emaudo Academic centre and about 20km to Ukhun village.

It presently has a total of 75 housing units. These are in three different categories which are in two bedroom twin bungalows, 3 bedroom bungalows and 4 bedroom bungalows. There are 15 blocks of the 2 bedroom twin bungalows, 30 blocks of the 4 bedroom bungalows. 1 is used as a store for the university.

Connecting these housing units in the site are two main streets A and B, from which branches off 6 other street named 1 – 6. From these streets, access roads in to the individual housing units are  connected. Map III shows this connection, the main entrance route into the site is off the Ekpoma-Ukhun road. This goes straight ahead to the Emaudo Academic core and branch off into the main gate of the Quarters.

From climate data, Ekpoma has a warm humid climate, recording a mean annual rainfall of 17743.2mm, with the months of July and September recording the highest and the months of January and March recording the lowest. The months of January and March have the highest temperature while the months of June and July have the lowest.  The vegetation is thick and is characterized by green belts.

SOURCE: Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Information gathered has it that houses at the university senior staff quarters are allocated to staffs according to their salary scale. Staffs of the university salary scale 6-8 are eligible to the 2 bedroom twin bungalows, those between 8 – 12, the 3 bedroom bungalows while those above 13, the 4 bedroom bungalows.

Enclosing the entire site is a wire fence punctuated by 3 entrance gates. One of these, was the initial entrance from the Ekpoma-Ukhun road into the site now abandoned, while the others connected the staff quarters with the Emaudo site also abandoned, both of which were due to erosion problem. The third gate which is presently used is the only entrance and exit point into and out of the site. This, as stated earlier goes straight to the Emaudo staff quarters while it also branches off into the main gate of the Quarters.

The site is only partly built up, having a vast area of it not developed in any was. This is commonly used in patches as farmlands by residents and non-residents.

  • AIM AND OBJECTIVES

This terminal essay, is to document the housing conditions in the university staff Quarters with Ambrose Alli University as a case study.

The prevalent Architectural problem associated with the different building types encountered by the residents of the Quarters would be brought to focus.

Comparison would be made to show the relationship between the different building types, the categories of staff and the adequacy and inadequacy of dwelling spaces in terms of room sizes and numbers.

It is hoped that this essay would unearth possible solutions which shall be able to form a base for future programming.

  • SCOPE OF RESEARCH

This terminal essay would focus its research on the housing conditions in the University Staff Quarters with particular emphasis on the Ambrose Alli University Senior Staff Quarters.

Special references to the problems encountered by the residents of the quarters. By so doing, the problems will be examined considering the following:-

(A)     Facilities for the building services

(B)     Facilities for social activities.

(C)    Population of the quarters and overcrowding of the different building   types.

(D)    Environmental conditions in the staff quarters.

Also, to adequately proffer solutions to the existing problems this essay shall not include any other study outside the housing conditions in the A.A.U senior staff quarters.

  • RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This essay would employ both iconographic and documented sources of information. The methods of data collection could broadly be classed as:

–        Primary data collection procedures.

–        Secondary data collection procedures.

Primary data collection includes personal observation, use of measuring devices, photographs and through oral interview. The society is such that so much information is left undocumented and so, the most reliable source is through oral interview of persons of proven integrity, since cultural heritage is handed down orally from one generation to the next.

Secondary data acquisition includes reading of documented matter on Housing conditions in Southern Nigeria with a view to sourcing for information on the conditions of the A.A.U staff quarters.

The acquisition of information through secondary means has been difficult as there is near absence of written materials on the topic in question. All there is patchy information and literature, this ultimately results in a grossly distorted picture of what is actually obtained. All the same, this helped to neutralize to a large extent the problems associated with oral interviews were not easy to come by.

Maps were acquired from information centres such as physical planning department A.A.U, Charts, graphs and tables are also provided where necessary.

  • HOUSING UNITS (AS OF DATE)

The A.A.U senior staff quarters, presently has a total of 75 housing units. These are in three different  categories which are 15 blocks of 2 bedroom twin bungalows, 30 blocks of 3 bedroom bungalows and 30 blocks of 4 bedroom bungalows. Of these, 70 are occupied, 4 unoccupied and two burnt of the unoccupied ones, one is used as a store for the university.

  • FACILITIES FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

From observations made it was also discovered that no form of recreational facilities exists on the state. Presently, most of the adults (above 18 years)either go to the main Ekpoma town for recreation, as the University staff club is located there or they sit at home whiling away time with some other activities.

However, the young children have converted an open piece of land located on the outskirts of the site which they call “desert” to a mini recreation area, the place is mainly used as a football field.

On the importance of leisure time activities, Jane H. Otto (et al 1970) has this to say “Regardless of how much we admire ambition, drive and success, we should not push ourselves to frantically striving for these goals, everyone needs some time in their day for relaxation and enjoyment. This leisure time is just important as the hours you spend in your daily work.

Thus, a need for a recreation centre where recreational activities can take place cannot be over emphasized. This is to keep the body physically fit, mentally alert and psychologically balanced. It also forms an important part of the socialization process in children.



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