Campus Landscape and Activity Patterns at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The landscape of a university campus is a dynamic environment that significantly influences the behavior and engagement of its inhabitants. This research investigates the interaction between the landscape of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, Nigeria, and how it corresponds with the activities within the campus. The study determines how the physical environment—softscape and hardscape—supports or restricts the academic, social, and recreational activities of students and staff. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a structured questionnaire administered to 300 respondents across multiple colleges and academic levels with direct spatial observation of the campus landscape. Findings reveal that the campus landscape significantly influences daily movement patterns, with 232 respondents (77.4%) confirming that landscape design affects their movement and that areas of difficult access exist. Shade emerged as the most critical factor for outdoor comfort, with 184 respondents (61.3%) agreeing that shaded areas encourage longer outdoor stays, while heat and sun exposure were identified as the primary challenges. Only 107 respondents (35.5%) use outdoor spaces for academic activities, and 213 respondents (71%) confirmed that some campus areas are rarely used, validating the existence of passive zones. The study classifies campus zones as active (academic buildings, cafeteria, hostels, shaded walkways) and passive (football field, mini green fields, peripheral open spaces, Medicals area), revealing that active zones are predominantly associated with necessary activities while spaces for optional and social activities are underserved due to inadequate shade, seating, maintenance, and pathway connectivity. The Love Garden presents a paradoxical case—valued by some for its shade and connectivity but avoided by others due to insects, poor maintenance, and bad access pathways. The study recommends prioritising shade infrastructure, providing outdoor seating, improving pathway connectivity, activating passive zones through targeted interventions, and engaging professional landscape design expertise to create a more responsive campus environment.