Public Open Space Vandalisation Trends and Transmutation Roots in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study addressed factors influencing public open space vandalisation trends and transmutation roots in South-eastern Nigeria. To achieve the aim of the study, the research considered: public open space vandalisation and reasons for vandalising public recreational open spaces. The research adopted field investigations method via case study approach which involved descriptive survey research design through field observation, questionnaire administration and oral interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data research methods were employed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study demonstrated that urban indifference and insensitivity contributed marginally to public recreational open space vandalisation and conversion in the sampled urban areas. Besides, vandalisation contributed immensely to increased loss of interest in public recreation as a result leads to disregard of public recreational open spaces. This prompted a high rate of conversion of public recreational spaces in South-Eastern Nigeria as the management abandoned some of the recreational spaces, with dissuading costs like obesity, boredom and insomnia. To resolve these abnormally, there is the need to engage in spatial services to both monitor and predict future occurrences in the management of public recreational open spaces in South-eastern Nigeria. Besides, the private sector should be encouraged to invest in open space operations in the sampled states. Key Word: Vandalisation, Public Open Space Management, Recreation, Open Space Conversion, Conversion Root