THE ARCHITECTURAL PLAUSIBILITY OF AN URBAN PARKING FACILITY PROJECT: A JOS CITY CENTRE SCENARIO
Oko, Joseph Oko; Demenongu, I. James; Detur Gwatau & Shem R. Lekjep
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
University of Jos, Jos
ABSTRACT: This paper is aimed at addressing the car park shortage problem of the Central Business District, CBD, of Jos, the Plateau State capital, Nigeria. The car park dilemma has become a blot in the landscape of the city centre and a negative smear on the tourism destination potential of Jos. A study of the city centre’s car park problem revealed a continuing, incremental trend whose actual magnitude is not easily quantifiable. The purpose of this paper is to evince the major causes of this trend and put forward a plausible, sustainable solution which would address the parking problem such that it is contained as the need arises irrespective of the developmental stride of the city centre. This was achieved by undertaking a field investigation using field observation, physical field survey and enumeration. Through this process, a firsthand vista of the problems and challenges was obtained. Consequently, an Outline Architectural Design proposal of a prototype car park facility that has the potential of add – on – module to address the exigencies of sustainability and adaptability was developed. The proposal also sought to address the unpredictable but surely increasing future car park space needs. Through this means emerged a blueprint for addressing the present car park problems and also the future requirements within the framework of socio – economic, environmental and sustainability needs.
Keywords: Architectural Design, Car Park, Central Business District (CBD), Planning, Sustainability.
