Communal Facilities and Residential Neighbourhoods in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

Availability of communal facilities within the neighbourhoods helps to meet various social needs. At the same time satisfies current needs of the local communities without exerting strain on the existing facilities to the detriment of future demand. The focus of this paper is on communal facilities in selected residential estates in Akure, the capital city of Ondo state, Nigeria. Using the primary and secondary sources of data collection, the paper takes a critical look at the importance of communal facilities in neighbourhoods and examines the adequacy of communal facilities in residential areas in Nigeria. Two residential estates in Akure namely: Alagbaka and Ijapo estates were studied through the use of questionnaire and direct observations, to elicit relevant data relating to social, economic and environmental variables. Data obtained were collated and findings from empirical survey presented in the single factor descriptive analysis. Findings from the study affirm that the communal facilities available within the study area were inadequate. The paper recommends public enlightenment, environmental education, upgrading of existing facilities to acceptable standard.

Keywords: Communal Facilities, Neighbourhood, Residential Estates, Housing