| dc.description.abstract | Majority of Nigerians in the urban areas are involved
in trading. Markets therefore form a very important
nucleus in the urban life in Nigeria.
Due to the realization of the importance of market
as a sure and sincere means of success the migration into
the existing markets has increased. This rate of migration
has however not been met by the same rate in the expansion
of facilities. As such these markets are characterized
by congestion, absence of adequate services and generally
a very unhealthy environment.
My proposed new market has therefore been designed
with these problems in mind and to be able to take the
shock of these impacts. It is as well to carter for the
different categories of traders, hawkers, roadside
squatters, stall owners, shopkeepers, etc. It is a two
level market which is co-ordinated for easy transition
between these levels. Shops, stalls, hawking stands have
been arranged to benefit from each other in the generation
of customer traffic.The site is sandwiched between two major roads in
ABSTRACT?
Lagos Island - Nnamdi Azikiwe Street and Martin Street.
It is generally a flat site and Lagos is on a hydromorphic
soil.
Presently there is no vehicular traffic through the
site and this has been maintained in the design, though a
service road goes from Breadfruit street to the semi
basement delivery space which is served by delivery vans.
Lagos is generally hot and humid resulting in the limiting of the depth of buildings and t~e use of courtyard
system of design. Sea breezes from the Atlantic oceans
will help improve the ventilation and the use of local
fans will be made in the stalls. The shops however have
forced mechanical ventilation.
Generation of customer traffic through business areas
has been very important. The trading activities have thus
been enveloped by traffic generating activities' Pedestrian
traffic across the highways - Nnamdi Azikiwe street and
Martin street have been directed to the upper level of shops
and market; a pedestrian deck connection to the multi storey
car park through the departmental store and market provides
a short cut to offices and an inducement to shopping.
Spaces have as well been provided for impromptu
entertainments, The structure is a reinforced concrete
frame construction on raft foundation the columns being the
main dividing elements for the stalls.
The market is a social welfare rather than a money
making investment where rent age will be heavily subsidized.
Cost however has not hindered the provision of essential
facilities.
Movements of goods within Nigerian markets have been
by human labor carrying these goods on the head and using
hand carts. This is a very big trade for the unskilled
Nigerian and a first stage in self employment for the urban
migrant. This has been maintained in my new market. As
this forms an essential part of the market activity, it has
not been segregated in my design. It has been taken into
consideration in the provision for pedestrian circulation. | en |
