Assessment of Open Spaces and Landscape Planning on Users’ Social Interaction and Productivity in Caleb University

Background: Campus open spaces are widely associated with enhanced well-being, social interaction, and academic productivity. However, empirical evidence within Nigerian universities remains limited and inconclusive.
Methods: This study assessed the relationship between landscape elements, social interaction, and perceived productivity at Caleb University, Lagos. A quantitative survey design was adopted. Using Yamane’s formula, 333 respondents were selected from a population of 2,019 users; 308 valid responses were analyzed (93.3% response rate). Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.
Results: Students reported positive perceptions of green areas, seating, and shaded walkways (mean > 3.0). Landscape features were associated with improved concentration (3.85), stress reduction (3.96), and motivation (3.93). However, indicators of structured academic interaction were weaker (2.21–3.52). Correlation results suggest that landscape elements have a limited direct statistical effect on productivity, while demographic factors—particularly age—and likely contextual variables such as maintenance quality and institutional culture may play a stronger role.
Conclusion: Campus open spaces at Caleb University contribute positively to well-being and informal interaction but demonstrate limited measurable influence on academic productivity. Landscape planning alone is insufficient to significantly improve productivity without complementary institutional and environmental support systems.

Campus open space, Landscape planning

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