Residents' socio-cultural experiences and effects on neighbourhood public space in Nigeria

Abstract

Residents' experiences in the varied context of socio-cultural, religion and ethnic background in the community are no doubt a fundamental issue that needed to study in the built environment. Limited empirical research has been carried out on residents' socio-cultural experiences on neighbourhood public space. The objective of this study is to explore the residents' socio-cultural experiences towards the market square as a public open space in Nigeria. Regression analysis of a total number of 382 completed survey questionnaires with SPSS demonstrated that residents' view and experiences on public space is significant (P < 0.005) across residents' age, employment, ethnic groups, often time and frequency of visiting the public space and the neighbourhood in general. The implication of the findings highlights peoples' experiences on places which determine how the particular setting will be maintained, utilised, challenged and negotiated. This calls for effective planning, management and better utilisation of public space. Also, the findings would enhance the formulation of policies that ameliorates conflict problem that characterises the ethnically diverse community.