ABSTRACT
Ahmadu Bello University is one of the largest institutions in West African sub region and in the Northern part of Nigeria established in 1960 to carter for the knowledge quest of this part of the country and for the country in general. The university at inception in 1960 had an approximate population of 1000 student, and in 2010 had a population of about 26,687. At present the university is experiencing high water demand and water shortage. The rapid changing geography of water supply and use is a cause for concern for the future. Presently, the Ahmadu Bello University dam is functioning as the main source of water for the university community. This singular function underscores the other potentials of the water body which includes multiple recreational and educational opportunities that can well enhance the internally generated revenue. Considering the scale, form and location of the dam and other complimentary amenities such as the botanical and zoological gardens, the site is suitable for a water front park project. It is on this premise that a sustainable water-front multi activity centre is proposed to enhance the recreational, educational and tourism potentials of the resource. However, the nature of the site and the primary function of the water body as a source of water supply, calls for in-depth study of the area to ascertain if the intended use can be accommodated. A reconnaissance and visual survey and other research methods were conducted. For a sustainable park consequently, a low impact development (LID) landscape approach was proposed. Low impact development (LID) techniques adopt(ecological) conservation measures for the protection and preservation of the resources without compromising function, quality of service, aesthetics and safetywhile providing varieties of recreation and social activities of unique interest for the University community and the region.. The park master plan is founded on a design theme Unity applied to integrate the various key ecological and design components land, water, vegetation, shapes, and forms, towards a sustainable park with water as the unifying factor. The design used various low impact development (LID) technologies, which when put in place in the park project will create a leisure environment that will recreate the user, and with LIDs water recharge potentials that will impact on the water problem and global climate change. LID. is a new landscape approach that should be advocated, as it will benefit the university and humanity