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Assessment of Architectural Sustainability of Memorial Park:Case of Sofoluwe

Memorial Park,University of Lagos, Nigeria. Note: Attached is a preprint draft.
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Article · June 2018

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Title: Assessment of Architectural Sustainability of Memorial Park: Case of
Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Memorial Park, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study assesses the architectural sustainability of Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Memorial Park,
University of Lagos with the aim of investigating the degree of ecological, social and economic
values of the park. Using Case study and observation methodology, the site was selected because
of its adaptability to a memorial from its former use as a central transition garden. Data collection
was primarily through direct observation and archival reports. Descriptive analysis was used to
present findings. Findings shows the architectural design of the park embraces concepts of
landscape design and symbolism in a sustainable way without jeopardising the existing structures
and urban infrastructures on the site. However, limitation could be seen in the lack of provision of
economic viability in the memorial garden. It is therefore recommended that there should be a
balance in the three dimensional considerations for sustainable design which are ecological, social
and economic viability.
Keywords: Sustainability, Memorial park, Symbolism, Landscape Design, University of
Lagos.

1.0 Introduction
Architecture has been the preferred medium to publicly memorialize any events or persons
(Bonder, 2009). With Architecture, memory could successfully be turned into the built form.
Remembering is a vital activity that gives identity to our past and defines our present. A memorial
is a structure erected to commemorate persons or events. Memorials are generally built to link
the present with the past. Memorials are built for commemorating the lost persons or events.
By creating a place which is both universal and specific, a place which serves to educate and heal,
a place that remembers not only the history of the event, but its victims, heroes, and
survivors (Rimmer & Karvouni, 1997). History, philosophies and doctrines of a society or a
person are all stored in a memorial, it can become a valuable setting for the individual, and
an integral part of the community as a whole.
The relevance of Memorial architecture lies in its ability to express sympathy of the community,
city or country towards a person or an event while it also inspires the public to acknowledge
the past but at the same time progress by translating the positive effects into the future. As a
public places, memorial park allows healing, questioning, understanding and remembrance
(Gough, 2000). An erection or construction of symbolism is the height of deification in the art of
architecture. However, the symbol should convey the feeling of the memory for which it
was constructed. Symbolism can be attained by use of various techniques. Commonly used are
various materials, sculptures, scale and proportion of the form constructed. The created symbolic
structures are created mainly for the purpose of the honouring persons who sacrificed his life for
the good of the society (Rimmer, Rott & Karvouni, 1997).
Although memorial is a recognition of one’s past history, the urban infrastructure has to meet
rapidly changing and increasing users’ needs. Memorials if sustainably constructed could offer a
lot to the society. Architectural sustainability can be achieved in a memorial by consciously and
carefully choosing those elements that plays their part in the completion of the memorial

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elements of a memorial should create a sense of monumentality. Syntactical meaning is the
meaning that an element of form or style acquires by virtue of its location in a chain of form or
style elements. The memorial must be built up in the area where there is high flow of public and
transition to other public buildings. It must convey the feeling of existence of the martyrs among
us though departed. This can be achieved by symbolically creating intangible meanings in some
form of tangible form. Professor Adetokunbo Sofoluwe’s memorial park is overwhelmingly seen
as improving University of Lagos ‘image through the architecture, gardens and streetscapes as
well as their connection to major administrative buildings in the institution.

2.0 Literature review

Architectural Sustainability of memorial park embraces ecological, social and cultural viability.
There are three basic dimensions of sustainability to be considered for attainment of sustainability
of an urban infrastructure project like memorial park. It is not limited only to tangible resources.
The Sustainable memorial park emphasises internal self-sufficiency in terms of material resources
used in its design (Cranz and Boland, 2004). Some of the factors to be put into consideration
include sustainable design, construction, maintenance practices and choice of plant. Sustainable
design practices encourage reduction in resource use and maintenance. A self-sufficient park must
be able to balance natural and human history with a modern desire for active recreation and
ecological restoration.
A Sustainable memorial park utilises the landscape forms to create the narrative journey of the
person or event to be immortalised. It embraces paths, waypoints, monuments, symbols, and other
meaningful. The use of landscapes help in creating series of events to represent the narrative
journey (Šijanec & Tanac, 2010). Adoption of landscape forms induces range of perceptual
experiences at a memorial site that could not be achieved by non-landscape monuments. The
landscapes evoke different emotions and ambience. Ecologically, Sustainable Parks rely on the
use of native or environmentally appropriate plant choices. Ecological value and performance of
Sustainable Parks can be improved through the use of native plants, restoration of natural systems,
integration of existing but appropriate infrastructure, sustainable construction and maintenance
practices (Ferris, Norman & Sempik, 2001).This would also ultimately impact on the social values
of the memorial park.
Most existing memorial parks provided for recreational demand and landscape aesthetics while
ecological functions have often been neglected. Social and environmental values are vital in
construction of memorial parks. Social value is measured through the memorial park’s ability to
provide range of activities. These include provision of a place to meet other people, a place to
enjoy nature, and its environmental friendliness. Monumentality is used in architecture to define
the spiritual quality inherent in a structure. Monuments are the expression of man’s highest
cultural needs. Monuments which are human symbolic landmarks, are intended to outlive the
period and constitute a heritage for future generations (Šijanec & Tanac, 2010). The choice of
monuments must be such that can form a link between the past and the future

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3.0 Context of the study and methodology
The case study is Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Memorial Park located in the central garden beside the
senate building in University of Lagos, Nigeria. The site was formerly serving as a central
transition garden to the administrative facilities of the University. Upon the demise of the
University Don, Professor Adetokunbo Sofoluwe in 2012, it was seen as the ideal location for the
deification of the memorial park is centrally located to major administrative buildings in the
institution. It has a direct link with to all exits in the institution yet has an ambience that creates a
distinction in the selection for creation of a memorial. This location not only ensures high visibility
and landmark status but also gateways. The highly visible location allows panoramic vistas into
the urban landscape of converging pathways without elimination of control. The study adopts field
survey and observations as medium of empirical inquiry to investigate the sustainability
phenomenon within a real life context.

Figure 1: Map of University of Lagos showing Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Park in relation to other
facilities.
4.0 Discussion
4.1 Preliminary Design and Limitations
The aim was to create a serene, sober but functional space that will serve the dual purpose of
transition and memorial for the reflection on the life and achievement of the late Don, Professor
Babatunde Sofoluwe. The concept of the design was not without constraints, following the brief,
existing trees were to be preserved, pathways to be maintained and the park was to retain the
functional role of serving as pedestrian hub for the administrative centre of the institution. in the
preliminary design, provision was made for several display panels to emphasise the landmarks of
the late Don but this was not executed in the final design. Also incorporated into the initial design
were linear pergola, two water bodies, a waterfall and fountain to reflect the life of the professor.

[Insert figure 2 here: Preliminary design]

[Insert figure 3 here: Preliminary design]

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[Insert figure 4 here: Preliminary design]

[Insert figure 5 here: Preliminary design]

4.3 Approved Design

The site layout as shown in Figure 6 shows a complete deviation from the initial preliminary design
the limitations were in terms of maintenance of the water bodies. Excessive greenery were
eventually limited to achieve a sustainable greenery. Modifications made to the existing garden
included widening of the existing pathways, replacement of broken down pathways with
impermeable flooring, conventional seating were created around the central core. To preserve the
sanctity of the memorial garden, a limitation is created in the seating by minimising comfort.
Original seating were reduced and concentrated at only two entrances near the parking area and at
the centre for maximum effectiveness.
[Insert figure 6 here: Approved design layout]

Figure 7: Focal Access showing transition and linkages to the memorial park.

Figure 8: Pictures showing the solitary pathway and the modified seats in the memorial park.

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4.3.1 Symbolism
Symbolism and landscape design were combined to achieve a sustainable memorial by creating a
7 feet statue of the late don and centrally positioned as the focal point of the central memorial
garden. The function of statues goes beyond embellishment of architecture and landscape. Also
incorporated is a solitary pathway leading to a memorial wall emblazoned with an iconic image of
the late don. The thinning of the solitary pathway towards the memorial wall is to a reflection of
life after death. The memorial wall is an artwork made of reflective mosaic tiles and highlighted
by down-lighters to create a night effect. The major symbol, the statue faces the main entrance to
the park surrounded by circular arrays plants made of seven different colours.

Figure 9: Picture showing the architectural monument and the surrounding landscape.

Figure 10: The memorial wall emblazoned with an iconic image of the late don, Professor
Sofoluwe.

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4.3.2 Ecological sustainability
Ecological sustainability was achieved by preservation of existing plants on site. Besides providing
shades over the footpaths, tree planting were created for beautification and to create a strong unity
to the landscape. The consistent use of extra human scale in space and building elements results in
diminishing the sense of physical self and making the physical environment appear dominant and
powerful. Sustainable Parks not only use ecologically suitable plants (native, appropriate exotics),
Plantings were done in such a way that secondary plant succession can proceed. Planting schemes
use the combination of drought resistant plants for preservation during dry season and water-loving
plants for sustenance during wet season. Tree planting in the park improves the greenery, provides
shade that will to reduce the scale, and create a sense of smaller spaces that can be easily
appropriated by people. Environmental values guided the memorial park design as seen in the
compactness of the garden which allows easy maintenance.

Figure 11: Ecological sustainability using canopy trees, drought-resistant plants in the memorial
park.

5.0 Conclusion and recommendation

The memorial park could be seen to have satisfied the criteria for a sustainable park design by
provision of education for visitors on historic features or natural features, achievement of
environmental restoration, provision of relaxation and recreation, creating visitors’ exposure to
traditional values and techniques, provision of spiritual or emotional recuperation and finally by
provision of research and development for ways to minimize human impacts on the environment.
This is in line with the findings of Milošević, 2004 on his study on sustainable park design. Social
value is adequately achieved by provision of canopy trees, seating and greenery. The memorial
park gives a special sense of place based on the resources of the site by allowing visitors to
experience nature in an intimate way while also providing opportunities for private moments in
natural settings.
The spatial design achieved the purpose of viewing buildings, statues, and other objects and
enhances photography as a popular activity. Sustainability has been achieved to certain extant in
this project minimising waste and creation of balanced natural environments. The site design has
successfully utilised ecologically based strategies to create a self-sustaining park that do not alter
or impair but instead help repair and restore existing site systems. The use of impermeable marble

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 for paving reduces cost of maintenance. Unpaved surfaces are appropriate in areas of stable soils,
lower slopes, and lower human traffic and requires more maintenance. Impermeable paved
surfaces allow limited percolation of precipitation while providing better wear than unpaved
surfaces.
Site access is an important factor that needs careful consideration in the design of memorial park.
It is not limited to the means of physically entering the park but also include transitions between
origin and destination with sequential gateways creating an interpretive and educational
experience. This is achieved by creation of corridors that limit environmental impacts and control
development along the corridor leading to the facility. Access provided in this project allows
anticipation and directs attention to the monument and the landscape features along the access
route. It creates a sense of arrival at the destination.
However, economic sustainability is lacking in the memorial park. Tourism is limited to the
greenery. Improved seating, play facilities, drinking fountains, and food vendors would have added
to the economic value of the park without taking away the serenity. These features not only fulfil
immediate needs but also promote sociability and can be installed to increase social value of the
public parks. Overall, sustainable design was achieved by efficient location of access to the site
and also establishment of good linkage

5. 0 References
Bonder, J. (2009). On memory, trauma, public space, monuments, and memorials. Places, 21(1).
Chiesura, A. (2004). The role of urban parks for the sustainable city. Landscape and urban
planning, 68(1), 129-138.
Cranz, G., & Boland, M. (2004). Defining the sustainable park: a fifth model for urban
parks. Landscape journal, 23(2), 102-120.
Ferris, J., Norman, C., & Sempik, J. (2001). People, land and sustainability: Community gardens
and the social dimension of sustainable development. Social Policy & Administration, 35(5), 559-
568.
Gough, P. (2000). From heroes' groves to parks of peace: Landscapes of remembrance, protest and
peace. Landscape Research, 25(2), 213-228.
Milošević, P. (2004). The concept and principles of sustainable architectural design for national
parks in Serbia. Spatium, (11), 91-105.
Rimmer, S., Rott, H. C., & Karvouni, C. M. (1997). The symbolic form of architecture. Virginia
Polytechnic Institute.
Šijanec Zavrl, M., & Tanac Zeren, M. (2010). Sustainability of urban
infrastructures. Sustainability, 2(9), 2950-2964.
Sinha, A., & Kant, R. (2015). Mayawati and memorial parks in Lucknow, India: landscapes of
empowerment. Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, 35(1), 43-58.

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