Examining the Environmental Impacts of Abandoned Public Recreational Open Spaces in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

 

Umunakwe Henry, C., Alozie Michael, C. and Eneogwe Innocent, C.

 

Full Length Research Paper I Published October,2018

 

Journal of Physical Science and Environmental Studies Vol. 4 (3), pp. 44-50

ABSTRACT

Recently,  in Lokoja, areas originally designated as open spaces and green areas are being systematically replaced deliberately by other land uses. This study is aimed at examining the environmental impacts of abandoned public recreational open spaces in Lokoja, with specified objectives to identify the existence of the open spaces in the towns; investigate the landscaping and management of available open spaces; and to determine the impacts of abandoned open spaces. The study is GIS-based, as it made use of Landsat and ETM to extrapolate the effects of abandoned open spaces. The study found out that there is a decrease in open space between 1986 and 2016, with the percentage decrease being -10%, as a result of loss of natural vegetation (0.1%) by anthropogenic activities. Besides, abandoned open spaces reduce the recreational values and comforts of residents thereby making life very irksome; reducing the recreation quotient of urban users. Therefore, there is the need to create an open space vanguard in terms of inclusive and participatory planning and design. Emphasis should be placed on mass enlightenment programmes to sensitise the user population of the need to patronise recreational outfits.  

Key words: Open space, built-up area, spatial resolution, Landsat image, public recreation, urban area, abandoned green spaces.

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