An Evaluation of Functional, Aesthetic, Structural Qualities and Satisfaction in Selected Students’ Housing for the University.

Abstract

The study evaluated the functional, Aesthetic, structural and satisfaction in students’ housing in selected Students’ Housing for the University, It examined the socio- economic characteristics of the users, evaluated functional, aesthetic, structural qualities in selected students’ housing for Obafemi Awolowo University and examined residential satisfaction in the halls. This was with a view to providing policy interventions for the designers of halls of residences for the Universities. Primary data were obtained through survey method. Obafemi Awolowo University (O.A.U) was the University of Study for the research project. Five hostels at O.A.U were purposively selected to capture variation in gender, level of study and hostel design across the University. The sampling frame showed that 5,038 students at O.A.U were found in 1,078 rooms. One out of every five (20%) were selected at O.A.U which amounted to 215 students sampled at O.A.U. Secondary data was obtained from the Physical Planning Department of O.A.U. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results from the frequency distribution shows that the functional qualities of the hostels were perceived among the students of O.A.U to be excellent (76.2%) . Similarly, both aesthetics (79%) and structural (82.3%) qualities of the hostels are perceived as very good among the students of O.A.U. Also, all respondents of the hotels were not satisfied with various services and amenities provided in the Halls of Residence generally (40.0%) and 39.1% expressed neutral satisfaction. The study concluded that, Functional, Aesthetic, Structural qualities and Satisfaction are important in the overall Students’ Housing for Obafemi Awolowo University.