AN ARCHITECTURAL RESPONSE TO INTEGRATING USER FACILITIES IN THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT OF JOS RAILWAY TERMINUS

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Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
Internationally, railway stations have changed in their functions from transit point for passengers and goods leading to the introduction of new facilities in their design. However, in Nigeria, station buildings which have the attribute of passenger station have been unable to function as civil buildings providing other facilities independent of the railway system during the period of declination. The study aimed at integrating contemporary user facilities that would enhance passenger’s patronage with the objective of ascertaining the contemporary user facilities that can be incorporated in the design of Jos railway station to increase it is functionality capturing the modern trend of design. Contemporary user facilities were explored through extensive literature review to arrive at some set of variables which were then studied in three cases of passenger railway stations in Nigeria. The cases were purposefully selected and the study was conducted using multiple instruments of data collection. Survey research method was employed as the main research method in carrying out the research and questionnaires were administered. A total of 280 questionnaires were administered on passengers and staff, out of which 202 (72.1%) were returned/retrieved. Structured interview, and physical observation were used as well. The major findings are that: i) there is absence of integration of public transport modes to the station buildings; ii) Commercial facilities were not incorporated in two of the stations studied; iii) Good-quality waiting space and modern shopping or retail, pertinent to passengers’ need is largely absent; iv) number of 4 foreigners representing (5.6%) patronising the three station is very low; v) Lack of temporary accommodation to accommodate late arrival passenger in two of the station; vi) about 53 respondents representing 77.8% chooses public mode of transport (taxi, keke napep and motor cycle) as their mode of transport to the station which suggest that intermodal facilities should be integrated in the proposed remodelling; vii) 95% respondents prefer restaurant having the highest scores and viii) Results also show that respondent representing 0.782 R.I.I value agree more on improving local area integration, while respondents representing 0.748 R.I.I value agree more with improving the site planning and respondents, representing 0.745 R.I.I value agree more on enhances landscape and spatial integration. Finally, some of the recommendations made include; a research framework based on contemporary user requirements to guide the architects and researchers in proposing new design and redevelopment of old railway stations in urban centres in Nigeria with the goal of enabling such stations function more as civic buildings.