Post-Occupancy Evaluation of Community Centres in Southwestern Nigeria: Assessing Spatial Quality, Environmental Performance, and User Satisfaction
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Community centres are civic social infrastructure whose usefulness depends on spatial organisation, environmental comfort, inclusive access and ongoing maintenance. This study examined user-reported performance of community centres in Southwestern Nigeria and contextualised the findings against four architecturally documented cases (two Nigerian field-appraised centres and two international desk-based precedents). A cross-sectional purposive survey included 150 users, comprising 75 respondents at Mapo Hall and 75 at Kola Daisi Ibadan Civic Centre; responses were pooled and analysed using descriptive statistics and a reported bivariate correlation. The mean of nine spatial-functional item means was 3.32/5; movement and orientation (M = 3.53) and circulation/seating (M = 3.51) were strongest, whereas inclusive accommodation (M = 3.10), signage (M = 3.14) and furniture/equipment (M = 3.15) were weakest. Ten environmental-management items averaged 3.25/5; lighting, ventilation and air quality ranked highest (M = 3.39), and maintenance lowest (M = 3.04). The reported aggregate socio-economic/cultural association with satisfaction was weak and not significant (r = −0.144, p = 0.079), although the construction of this aggregate could not be verified. Among 147 respondents to the improvement question, maintenance (46.9%), greener and more comfortable environments (27.2%) and accessibility (12.2%) were the main priorities. The findings suggest moderately favourable perceived functionality alongside specific deficits in inclusion and upkeep. A user-centred design–management approach is recommended, integrating accessible routes, legible information, adaptable rooms, appropriate environmental strategies, maintainability and repeated occupancy feedback.
Institution: University of Ibadan
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223709779