Navigating the urban space: Assessment of residents’ experience and satisfaction with the legibility of Ibadan municipality, Nigeria

Abstract

Using urban legibility elements, this paper examined residents’ experience and satisfaction with navigation in Ibadan metropolis. This was with a view to suggesting policy response to enhance the livability and sustainability of the city and others with similar background. Five local government areas make up Ibadan municipality and comprise three residential areas (core, transition, and suburban). One ward was randomly selected in each residential zone of the city. A total of 14,269 residential buildings were identified in the selected areas. Using systematic sampling, every 50th building in each of the wards was selected for questionnaire administration culminating into 285 household heads. The study established that variation existed in the availability of urban legibility elements in different residential districts in the city. Also, residents experience varying difficulties with giving/receiving description in the city. Furthermore, variation existed in the effectiveness and satisfaction residents derived from the use of available urban legibility elements. It established that residents’ experience of urban legibility in the study area is determined by age, monthly income, number of years spent in the city, and educational attainment. The study recommended the integration of urban legibility elements in the preparation and implementation of layouts in order to aid navigation and delivery of urban services.

The Legibility Efficacy of Historical Neighborhoods in Creating a Cognitive Map for Citizens

“…Findings obtained from cognitive studies in urban spaces revealed that the most important factors in shaping cognitive maps of children consist of parks, playgrounds, green spaces and entrances [48]. Studies also indicated that the integration of urban legibility elements should enhance the level of navigation, livability, and sustainability in urban spaces [49].…”