CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU OJUKWU

UNIVERSITY, P.M.B 002, ULI

FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

IHIALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA ANAMBRA

STATE, NIGERIA.

COURSE TITLE: ADVANCED LANDSCAPE DESIGN II

COURSE CODE: ARC 816

2016 082 015

DEPARTMENT OFARCHITECTURE

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE
(M.Sc) IN ARCHITECTURE.

JULY,2017.

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The word ‘LANDSCAPE’ is formed by ‘land’ and ‘scape’ where ‘LAND’ covers the

earth surface comprising of land, mountains, valleys, water bodies, grassland and

any other natural and man-made features forming a territory whereas ‘SCAPE’

means view or pictorial presentation thus the term ‘landscape’ has been defined as

“a portion of land or territory that the eye can comprehend in a single view

including all the objects it sees”.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE is the ‘ART’ and ‘SCIENCE’ of designing to

preserve and develop land for the visual gratification of man while considering the

inherent potentialities of the area and functional recreation needs of the society.

Landscape is made up of four main elements which includes; Landform,

Vegetation, Water and Natural and man-made features which must be seen in

totality.

The landscapes of cities help to bring life in the environment and also create

lovely emotional feeling in human beings. In the landscape design of community

squares great importance and values should be integrated, an understanding of the

social needs should decide most of the design thought so as to arrive to a functional

and beautiful landscape design of that particular community. Almost every event

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can take place in community square and whenever the people gather for these

events, the landscaped environment should be able to foster relationship amongst

them.

The other parts of this report will focus on the landscape design of my village

square (AFO OGBE VILLAGE SQUARE) in MBAISE COMMUNITY.

1.1 PROJECT TOPIC

Landscape Design of EKE-OKWE VILLAGE SQUARE

1.2 LOCATION

Mbaise community, Ekwereazu Local Government Area Imo State, Nigeria.

1.3CLIENT’S BRIEF

Mbaise is a region and a people located in imo State, southern Nigeria. Set in the

heart of Igboland, it includes several towns and cities. The name Mbaise was

derived from five clans: Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihite and Oke Ovoro.

Ekwereazu is one of the commercial towns of the state and as such, the town faces

some planning challenges such as lack of parking spaces, encroachment on open

spaces, traffic congestion due to road inadequacy etc. You have been commissioned

to develop a suiting design for the village square which is deemed to be remodeled

due to its inadequacy in serving the people. The proposal should be designed in
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accordance with the needs of the local community and there day to day activities.

Alterations may be made on the existing facilities but the site should be maintained.

NAME OF VILLAGE

OGBOR village in EKEWERAZU community

NAME OF SQUARE

Eke okwe village Square

Figure 1: GOOGLE MAP OF EKE OKWE VILLAGE SQUARE AS EXISTING OF THE

PRESENT

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1.4SCOPE

The scope of the design shall focus on the use of available landscape materials to

redesign the eke okwe village square considering the peoples need for the

community square. The following amongst the people’s need shall be provided;

 Community hall

 Parking area

 Terraced seating levels

 Convenience

 Community health centre.

1.5AIM

To provide an environmentally-friendly square that speaks the culture and

tradition of the Ekwereazu community in mbaise.

1.6OBJECTIVES

 To study the existence of the square and the series of development from past

to present day.

 To make new proposals from the questionnaire given to the community

dwellers which should help improve the existence and use of the square

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  To remodel the square so that the new generation could get a feel of what an

ideal square should look like.

1.7 TASK:

The mission is to use the information provided above, examining critically to

identify mistakes in them and propose a review in line with the existing realities.

This task will involve the following:

a) Producing a new proposal for the square.

b) Producing an environment-friendly village square.

c) Identifying the new developments to be incorporated.

1.8 STUDY PROCESS

 Documentation:

 Problem identification

 Amendments made.

 Analysis:

 Graphic representations using sketches or perhaps scaled drawings.

 Synthesis:

 Proposing physical and environmental needs

 Developing a new proposal layout.

 Impact of proposal on the new environment.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1BACKGROUND OF AREA OF STUDY

MBAISE is a region and a people located in Imo State, southeastern Nigeria. Set in

the heart of Igboland, it includes several towns and cities. The name "Mbaise" was

derived from five clans: Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihite and Oke Ovoro.

The area of Mbaise (the three Local Government Areas) is about 404 km²: Aboh

Mbaise (185 km²), Ahiazu Mbaise (111 km²), Ezinihitte Mbaise (108 km²). The

Mbaise Slogan is Seat of Sages.

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FIGURE 2: MAP OF MBAISE COMMUNITY (SOURCE: GOOGLEMAP)

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2.2HISTORY OF MBAISE

Before 1902, when the Aro expedition was carried out by the British Colonial

powers to subdue the Aro slave trading oligarchy, Mbaise had not come under

British rule. But by 1906, at the conclusion of the operation, the present day Mbaise

consisting of the three Local Government Areas (Aboh, Ahiazu & Ezinihitte) was

effectively brought together under British control while leaving in place a

semblance of local authority.

To keep the whole clan under effective supervision, a native court was established

at Obohia in 1907 but pressure from the likes of Chief Nwaturuocha of Nguru

caused the transfer of the court to Nguru in 1909. In 1929, the Nguru court was

destroyed as a result of the Igbo Women's War. Sectional courts were subsequently

opened in Obohia, Itu, Ife and Enyiogogu in response to the increasingly popular

"Home Rule" movement of the 1930s. The coming together of the people under a

common political and administrative unit was secured in 1941. By 1945 councils

had been formed based loosely on blocs of autonomous communities. The group

councils and their number of autonomous communities recognized in Mbaise

were: Ezinihitte - 16; Agbaja - 7; Oke-Ovoro - 4; Ekwerazu - 6 and Ahiara -6

(source: Ekechi 1989:179) A few more autonomous communities have been

created in the past few years. It was from councils that the three local Governments

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were created. Ahiazu LGA was a merger of Ahiara and Ekwerazu councils and

Aboh LGA was a merger of Oke-Ovoro and Agbaja councils. Ezinihitte remained

by itself except for the secession of two small villages - Isu Obiangwu and

Umuohiagu which joined Ngor-Okpala from the Agbaja area in Mbaise.

2.2.1 MODERN MBAISE

Mbaise's population today is in excess of 1 million people. Subsistence farming still

accounts for a major part of the occupation. Yams, cassava, palm fruits, vegetables

and fruits are the main agricultural products. However, since the end of the Biafra/

Nigerian civil war, the quest for improved standard of living, academic excellence

and the crave for enterprise have helped an unprecedented boost in the fortunes

of Ndi Mbaise. Mbaise boasts of legions of doctors, lawyers, public administrators,

educators, artists, engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs. Mbaise also has one of

the highest concentrations of Catholic priest in the world. In addition, some famous

ex-priests hail from the area, among the well-known ones include Eze Enyeribe

Onuoha, the current traditional ruler of Umuchieze autonomous community in

Ihitteaforukwu and Sylvester Eze Ebisike, a former management consultant and

prolific writer and author of numerous books and publications. Ndi-Mbaise are

avid travellers and adventurers. There is in progress a large flux to the Americas,

Europe and Asia in search of new ideas to bring home. Mbaise is divided into three

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Local Government Areas, namely: Aboh-Mbaise, Ezinhitte Mbaise, and Ahiazu

Mbaise. Aboh-Mbaise is home to Nkwogu, one of the first and prominent markets

in Mbaise. Aboh-Mbaise is also the home of Nguru, a very prominent town in

Mbaise

2.2.1PHYSICAL FEATURES OF MBAISE

The physical characteristics of the study area should be considered as to make

proposals, especially for plant materials, that will suit the area. The following

physical features shall be considered, they include;

VEGETATION: Mbaise as a town is located within the southern part of the Guinea

Savannah vegetation zone of Nigeria. This region is the transitional zone between

the true savannah zone in the North and the rainforest in the South.

The Rain forests is largely reduced to mixed savannah vegetation by farming, with

thick forests along river valleys. Palm trees and cassava are the chief economic

plants or trees in Mbaise.

SOIL TEXTURE: Generally, Mbaise has a very good soil for cultivation, which is why

there major occupation is farming.

TOPOGRAPHY:The topography of eke-okwe is flat terrain and almost the same for

the whole of Mbaise.

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2.2.2 ECONOMIC STRUCTURE OF MBAISE

Ekwereazu is fast developing into a modern village. The people are highly

successful in all fields of enterprise. Their Deity is called Alukwu. Their village

square Eke- is one of the richest in Igboland. The ogbor people are well known and

reputed and with their cattle business, the. Abattoir built by the people supplies

about 92% cattle meat consumed daily in Imo state of Nigeria and offers a greater

internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the ekewereazu Local Government. Natives

and non natives consider the abattoir as a business mecca of sort.

2.2.3 SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF ogbor

The social life of the people of ogbor village shall be studied as follows; health

services available, employment rate and type of occupation, their custom

(tradition) and religious issues as well.

SCHOOLS: Schools in Ogbor are so many compared to other developing

communities, to mention few;

 Obizi High School OHISCO, Ogbe Mbsise

 Girls Secondary School ogbor nguru aboh Mbaise

 Amuzi Community Secondary School, ogbor nguru aboh, mbaise

 Other are mission and private primary and Secondary Schools.

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 Most of the schools in Ogbor Mbaise are owned by individuals and churches,

but the government has taken only few.

CHURCHES: The people are Igbo. About 90% Catholics, while Protestants and other

religions comprise the remaining amount.

HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CENTERS: The health of the people of Ogbor has been

good, according to study. They have few health centers around the villages except

for individual established hospitals. There is a health center in all the villages, and

also a general hospital.

2.3BRIEF HISTORY OF OGBOR SQUARE “EKE-OKWE”

EKE-OKWE village square did not just become the village square for the

people of OGBOR. History has it that the place now known as the village square

was the area of land where meeting were held and celebration of ceremonies too.

The highlight of ceremonies is the special ugu mmanu soup only prepared for

ceremonies and the ekpe dance at the EKE-OKWE Village square square. OGBOR

people have always used this particular area of land as their general meeting area

because of its closeness to their major market. They also gather there to perform

their rituals, festivals such as yam festival(iwaji), masquerade festivals, wrestling

(igbangba), coronation of kings (ichieze) and other activities.

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 ‘EKE-OKWE’ as it is referred to by the village has existed for decades and has

become a meeting arena for the people of OGBOR kingdom. Several reformations

have occurred which includes; construction of schools, market, etc.

2.4 EXISTING FEATURES OF THE VILLAGE SQUARE

a. A small square where meetings and smaller events are organized.

b. PEOPLE GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES IN THE MARKET

PEOPLE GOING
ABOUT THEIR
DAILY
ACTIVITIES IN
THE MARKET

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SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF HOW THE SQUARE LOOKS NOW

FIGURE 3: VILLAGE SQUARE AS EXISTING OF PRESENT SHOWING THE

SURROUNDING FEATURES.

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CHAPTER THREE

3.0 FIELD STUDIES AND RESEARCH

3.1 HERITAGE OF THE COMMUNITY

An insight into the organized cultures of the people shows that they celebrate two

prominent annual festivals; new yam festival (irijiohuu) and masquerade festivals.

New yam festival of OGBOR is fixed on every last Saturday of the month of August

unlike other communities and town that uses date for theirs. On any of such day,

there is a parade among the notable farmers in ogbor to present their biggest and

heaviest yam at the central cabinet council. For masqurade festival, it is a festival

the male folks adore a lot, even though there are some issues of disagreement of

how some youths practice it, of which, some or all Christian sect disapproves it, all

the same it a rich culture. The festival takes 4 months ranging from December till

March but it lasts for a period of average five days, and it is celebrated on

autonomous basis.

3.2 POPULATION OF USERS

From survey and research carried out through the use of questionnaires to

get the possible number of people (both commuters and traders) to help ascertain

the quantity of facilities to be provided in the proposals.

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1. Population of commuters within and around the area.

From the field study, three repeated studies were carried out at three different

days of the week; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. twenty numbers of cars

were parked at parking area at the peak working hour (10.00am–12.00 noon).

2. The village square is currently housing not too many activities therefore, not

many people come to the village square except for festive periods. From the

questionnaire, I was able to obtain that an average of 1000 people gather in the

village square for activities such as new yam festival, village football match,

coronation etc.

3.3 SUMMARY OF THE OUTREACH QUESTIONNAIRE

3.3.1 NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY

From the feasibility study I carried out in the town, it shows that for a smooth

running of day-to-day activity in the community and to create an environment

that is conducive for the people, the needs of the people in the village square must

be addressed.

Questionnaire was distributed to nine indigenes of the community to obtain a clear

image of what the will want to see in the community. The following is the summary

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of the list of projects some of them listed out in the questionnaire arranged in the

order of occurrence that will be of great importance to them if carriedout;

list of projects
18 16
16 14
14
12 11
10
10
8
6 4
4
2
0
relaxation area community hall clinic post office museum

Series 1

3.3.2 DEDUCTIONS

From the projects listed above, the most desired projects are; relaxation area,

Community hall, clinic and museum. Deductions from the field study show clearly

that these projects remain the most needed in the community.

3.3.3 PROPOSALS

From the personal analysis of the reports gotten, the following proposals portray a

brief overview of the project needs of the community.

 Open spaces (Relaxation area)

 Civic centre (comprising of a community hall, and clinic)

 Parking lots
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 Remodelling the square.

 Canteen.

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS AND ANALYSIS

4.1 SITE ANALYSIS

A. TEMPERATURE: Atmospheric temperature in ogbor is generally cool. It is highest

in wet season and lowest in dry season. Annual maximum mean temperature varies

from 290C – 320C, annual minimum mean temperature varies from 220C – 240C,

with mean annual temperature of 260C. The mean monthly temperature varies

between 22-27oC. The daily range in temperature in ogbor is about 5.6oC.

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct. Nov Dec

FIGURE 5: TEMPERATURE CHART

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B. RAINFALL: ogbor community as with various other locations situated within sub-

equatorial south climate of the world has a mean annual rainfall varying from

1800mm to 2800mm. The early rains in March are short lived and are usually

preceded by strong winds and showers accompanied by thunderstorms. The period

from July to September experiences the highest recorded rainfall while the last days

of the rainy seasons are usually marked by light showers followed by

thunderstorms.

FIGURE 4: CHART FOR ANNUAL RAINFALL

C. WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED

In ogbor wind movement is in two directions and they include;

 North- East trade wind.

 South-West trade wind.

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  The south-west trade wind brings rain into the community whereas the

north-east wind blowing across the desert brings haze and harmattan into

ogbor community. Wind speed varies between 9.1km/hr. and 11.0km/hr.

D. RELATIVE HUMIDITY

The site has considerably high moisture content throughout the whole year,

the highest period being the month of August with 72.3mm and the lowest in the

month of January with 66.4mm. Mean Annual Relative Humidity equals 77.5%.

50

40

30

20

10

0
Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

FIGURE 6:ANNUAL HUMIDITY CHART

E. SUNSHINE

In ogbor, the sun rises from the east and sets in the west. The intensity of the sun is

highest in February.

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 Nov

Sept

July

May

March

Jan
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Series 1

FIGURE 7:ANNUAL SUN INTENSITY CHART

4.2 CHOICE OF LANDSCAPE MATERIALS TO BE USED

Landscape Architecture is the “science” and “art” of modifying land areas by

organizing natural, cultivated, or constructed elements according to a

comprehensive, aesthetic plan. These elements include topographical features

such as hills, valleys, rivers, and ponds; growing things such as trees, shrubbery,

grass, and flowers; and constructions such as buildings, terraces, roads, bridges,

fountains, and statuary. No unalterable rule exists in landscape architecture

because each plot of ground offers unique problems caused by variation in contour,

climate, and surrounding areas.

Landscape architecture was formerly called landscape gardening and was limited

to the creation of gardens around private dwellings. Today landscape architecture

covers a much wider area of concerns, ranging from the setting out of small

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gardens to the ordering of parks, malls, and highways. It includes landscape

gardening, which is now understood as the work done by commercial gardeners,

who install and care for flowers and greenery according to the design of landscape

architects. The landscape architect, who usually holds an academic degree in this

field, has the same.

Source: Microsoft Encarta ® 2009.

4.3 ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN

There are four major elements of landscape design which should be incorporated

properly in any landscape design work, they include;

 Landform

 Water Bodies

 Vegetation’s and

 Natural and manmade features

Other materials for landscape design which are normally grouped under hard and

soft landscape materials or natural and artificial (man-made) landscape materials

include; Plants, Flowers, Trees, Paving stones, Bricks, Blocks, Interlocking stones etc.

4.4 USES OF PLANTS IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN

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In most landscape designs, plants and flowers normally form a greater percentage

of the landscape materials for the design. Plants play a vital role in landscape

 Plants bring life into any landscape design because they are natural.

 They can be give form and quality to a design.

 They prevent rainfall from falling with its full force or bare ground, by

reducing the rate of run off.

 They help to control erosion, they hold together soil with their root structure

thus preventing it from being washed away down the banks or causing

landslides.

4.5 SELECTION CRITERIA FOR PLANT TO BE USED IN LANDSCAPE

 Aesthetic attributes of plant

 Fitness

 Growth requirement

 Tolerance

 Preference of soil and climate

 Understanding of the principles of its vegetative growth.

4.6 CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE CHOICE OF PLANT MATERIAL

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 Before any plant material will be selected for any landscape work, there are

factors which should decide whether the plants will fit the design, these factors

include the following;

 Availability and maintenance cost:

The plant here should not be one that has high cost of maintenance. The

characteristic feature of being available is second to note.

 Foliage, texture and color:

A characteristic good leave or bright leave, fine texture and attractive colors are

considered of an ornamental plant for the garden.

 Shade: The plants should provide shade which serves as a shelter

during sun where required.

 Root system:

The plant to be chosen should not be one that has large roots so as not to interfere

with the building foundations.

 Growth pattern:

Plants undergo changes with time, whether the plant grows luxuriantly is also to

be considered before selection

 Form and structure:

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This includes height, fruit, and maturity, deciduous or evergreen. Plants that will

serve as ornamentals should have a characteristic low height, evergreen, good and

early maturity.

A. DAWN REDWOOD

FIGURE 9: SHOWING DAWN REDWOOD

General description:

(a) Upright to pyramidal deciduous conifer.

(b) Fine textured.

(c) Fast growth rate.

(d) Resembles bald cypress.

Height/spread: 24000 mm – 30000 mm / 9000 mm – 12000 mm.

Features and limitations:

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(a) Form is attractive and the history is interesting since it has been around for 50

million years.

(b) May be hard to locate.

(c) Specimen tree.

(d) Good fall color.

Culture:

(a) Grows best in good soils with adequate moisture.

(b) For best appearance, do not prune lower branches.

(c) Can grow up to 900 mm a year.

(d) Place in full sun.

B. FIBEROPTIC GRASS

FIGURE 11: SHOWING FIBEROPTIC GRASS

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 (a) Scientific Name : Isolepiscernua

(b) Common Name : Fiberoptic Grass

(c) Life Cycle : Annual

(d) Hardiness Degree : 32°F

(e) Blooming Season : N/A

(f) Plant Habit : Clumping

(g) Spacing : 150 mm – 250 mm

(h) Height : 200 mm – 300 mm

(i) Spread : 150 mm – 200 mm

(j) Exposure : Part Shade

(k) Uses : Landscapes, Beds, Containers

C. CROWN OF THORNS

FIGURE 12: SHOWING CROWN OF THORNS

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(a) Botanical name: Euphorbia Splendens

(b) Common name: crown of thorns

(c) Family name:Euphorbiaceae

(d) Growth rate: Fast

(e) Form, height, spread:

(f) Leaf: green l.eaf

(g) Flowers: pinkish white, rose, red or coral flowers.

(h) Method of maintenance planting distance:dry cuttings for several days before

inserting in moist sand.

(i) Cost per seedling or per square meter.

(j) Usage: Beds & Borders.

D. SAND VERBENA

Figure 8: SHOWING SAND VERBENA

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 (a) Common Names: Sand Verbena

(b) Botanical Name:Abroniavillosa

(c) Family name:Nyctaginaceae

(d) Height: Most often cultivated is the common, or pink, sand verbena, which has

stems 0.9 m to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) long.

(e) Flowers:It bears rose-purple flowers in summer and fall. The hairy sand

verbena, which is similar but smaller, hairy, and more delicate, is found in many

desert areas.

4.8 OTHER MATERIALS FOR THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN

4.8.1 MAN-MADE STRUCTURES

A.NEW DRIVE-WAYS

The drive way was structurally designed to be finally finished with asphalt tar.

With one sided drainage on the side of the drive way.

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FIGURE 13; SHOWING THE SECTION THROUGH THE ROAD

B. THE DRAINAGE

The drainage created on bothsides of the access road are made of cast in situ

concrete structure to control heavy rainfall.

FIGURE 14; SHOWING THE DETAILED SECTION OF THE DRAINAGE CHANNEL.

C. THE WALK-WAYS

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 All the ways were designed and completely paved with modern time concrete

road paver.

FIGURE 15: PICTURE SHOWING THE PROPOSED STYLE AND DESIGN OF THE WALK WAY

PAVERS.

D. KERBS DESIGN AND INSTALLATION

Kerbs are installed at the edges of the pavestones to serve as an element of

demarcation and clear separation especially between vehicular roads and

pedestrian walk-ways.

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FIGURE 16; DETAILED SECTION OF KERB INSTALLATION.

FIGURE 17; DETAILED SECTION SHOWING THE DISTANCE OF A TYPICAL KERB

INSTALLED IN RELATION TO THE TOPOGRAPHY AND PLANT MATERIAL.

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CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 THE DESIGN

5.1 CONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE VILLAGE SQUARE

The concept of the village square is to create neighborliness within the village

square, following the initial idea of a village square is to buy and sell, communicate

and carry out other festive activities in the village.

The existing village square has only scattered market and open town halls where

they meet. But in the proposed design of the village square, I proposed a health

center, relaxation park, Bank zone where all the bank institutions can acquire land

to setup their branch.

Also a proposed town hall was provided likewise Redesigning and restructuring

the market to provide a conducive and well planned environment for business

activities was proposed for the market.

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5.1PROPOSED DESIGN

35
REFERENCES

Ortiz, Elisabeth (1992). The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices & Flavorings. London:

Dorling Kindersley. pp. 36–37. ISBN 1-56458-065-2.

Population Census (2006), National Population Commission of Nigeria

http://www.mbaisetopseed.org/history-of-mbaise/

Alan J. C. (1996), Dictionary Of landscape Architecture and Construction.First

Edition.McGraw-Hill Publishers New York.

Callender J.H. (1988), Time Savers Standards for Building Types. Penguin Press.

New York.

James T. Midcap, (2006) Trees for landscape, selection and culture, university press,

Georgia, p. 6 – 10

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