EXPLORING SPATIAL CONFIGURATION FOR EFFECTIVE WAY-FINDING IN THE DESIGN OF SHOPPING MALLS IN ABUJA - NIGERIA

Authors

Jephthah I. Aigbe, Department of Architecture, Ahmadu Bello University, NigeriaFollow
Joy J. Maina, Department of Architecture, Ahmadu Bello University, NigeriaFollow
Musa L. Sagada, Department of Architecture, Ahmadu Bello University, NigeriaFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

Jephthah I. Aigbe - https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1983-8652

Joy J. Maina - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6340-5115

Musa L. Sagada - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0109-411X

Abstract

Shopping malls are an integral feature of the urban environment. Abuja is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. With its thriving population, it has become a hub of urban activities. The presence of shopping complexes within the city is on a steady increase. Wayfinding is an activity that every shopper must engage in. The need for more wayfinding research in the Nigerian context is evident. A study was carried to explore spatial organization for effective wayfinding in shopping malls. Case study was carried out on three shopping malls in Abuja using a visual survey, questionnaire survey and Visibility Graph Analysis for space syntax. Results from the visual survey and questionnaire survey support findings from literature that users tend to rely on physical features and coded information for their wayfinding tasks before engaging social practices. The VGA run on the floor plans of the ground floors of the shopping malls revealed that linear floor plan configuration is more intelligible than non-linear configurations, thus users will find it easier to find their way in linear spatial configurations than in non-linear. This is primarily due to the interruption of visual sight lines. The paper recommends that architects should pay more attention to designing legible spaces that support efficient wayfinding by utilizing good spatial configuration as well as adequate coded information and use of landmarks.

Keywords

Wayfinding, Shopping-malls, Spatial configuration, Intelligibility, Space syntax

Disciplines

Architecture

Recommended Citation

Aigbe, Jephthah I.; Maina, Joy J.; and Sagada, Musa L. (2024) "EXPLORING SPATIAL CONFIGURATION FOR EFFECTIVE WAY-FINDING IN THE DESIGN OF SHOPPING MALLS IN ABUJA - NIGERIA," Architecture and Planning Journal (APJ): Vol. 30: Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2789-8547.1248