The architecture of the urban fronts, the case of urban experience and pressure on the infrastructure

Abstract

A generalized perception of Architecture locates the discipline within the narrow boundaries of design and erection of buildings. While this may be acceptable in certain quarters, the fact remains that the spatial emergence and generic function guiding the relationship between human beings and space have, for centuries, guided the architecture of cities. Architecture, according to definitions, is practiced by licensed professionals in the industry however; literature has proven that almost everyone practices architecture in different ways and not, exclusively limiting to the design and erection of buildings. The dumping of communities solid wastes redefine the configuration of the area's environment and it is architectural, and deals with human beings and spaces. The design, construction and erection of roads, bridges and community street security gates are architectural and negatively impacting on the environment and particularly, architecture of the area. Objectively, the aim of this study is to create awareness and point to the fact, that the Nigerian players (policy makers) have in the past, designed models to direct positive growth and development in the country, but failed to properly implement the programmes and that is detrimental to the country's built environment and especially, architecture and infrastructure. Importation of inferior goods (cars, furniture and others) into the country and abandoning them on the streets, communities ugly street security gates that are in most cases, abandoned and in disrepair negatively affect the architecture of the communities. The study adopted qualitative and correlational research methods that embraced survey, archival and observational methods. It conducted studies in three Nigerian cities, Lagos, Enugu and Onitsha in 1996/1997 and in 2012 and 2013; it included Owerri in the study. While the government is doing the best it could, she needs to pay attention to the urban and suburbia fronts' environmental issues involving the country's built environments, the security of the communities and most importantly, joblessness and unemployment issues that pushed people into importation of other country's waste and thrown away items in the name of "Tokumbo" just to create jobs for themselves and survive. The government needs to start awarding communities architectural designs, buildings and road construction contracts to qualified professionals in the industry, use the services of the architectural, engineering and other professional bodies in managing and maintaining the country's built environments and at the same time, upgrade the integrit.

Keywords: Architecture, waste, death, infrastructure, growth, development