Emphasizing Landscape Elements as Important Components of a Sustainable Built Environment in Nigeria

Abstract

Many residential areas in the built environment in the developing countries with reference to Nigeria are generally unattractive and lack basic landscape elements. Landscape elements encompass both natural and artificial features used to create a befitting visual presentation within the built environment; as such its role cannot be overemphasized. In line with the ethos of sustainable development, sustainability is an important concept in today’s urban planning, as such landscaping can be used to play a revitalizing role in the continued depletion and degradation of the natural environment. This paper examines the poor state of many residential areas in the built environment in Nigeria and the impact on the physical outlook. It further discusses landscape elements and their use in the built environment and the benefits of landscaping to a sustainable built environment. Using a case study approach the study looks at two residential housing estates in Akure, Nigeria to ascertain the extent to which landscaping elements have been used. The case study established that landscaping elements do not exist in many parts of the estates and where there is, lack adequate maintenance. The paper concludes that landscaping plays a vital role in achieving a sustainable built environment and therefore need to be incorporated in the Nigerian built environment.

Keywords: Built Environment, Landscape Elements, Landscaping, Sustainability