USERS’ VISIT AND EVALUATION OF MICRO-OPEN SPACES IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF FORESTRY, JOS PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

Open space is a space within tertiary institutions used by the staff, students and visitors for social interactions, recreation, and relaxation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors that influence users’ level of satisfaction during visits to micro-open spaces within the Federal College of Forestry, Jos and the expectations they have about its general environmental portrait. It utilized structured questionnaires and observation techniques to obtain primary data from users’. A purposive sampling technique was used to select twenty-one micro, open spaces in the study area. A total of 230 questionnaires were distributed, 196 were retrieved representing 85.23%, used for final analysis. Tables, percentages, photographs and relative satisfaction index (RSI) were used to present the results of the research. The study revealed that visits to the micro-open spaces are for personal studies or academic group study, socializing and making use of the internet network Findings further revealed that parking spaces for bikes and bicycles used by students are inadequate. The study therefore recommends that more infrastructures be installed in the micro-open spaces.