APPRAISAL OF THE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND AESTHETICS OF A NIGERIAN URBAN CENTRE: A STUDY OF ABUJA Samuel O. Ebong Email:
[email protected] Department of Architecture, Abimbola A. Oke University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria Uduak P. Umoh Abstract An urban landscape is a hybrid of natural and man-made elements shaped by activities of the human system. These elements influence the character of a city and how it is perceived, seen and rated. The aim of the study is to provide photographic evidence of the current landscape character of Abuja. The study adopts the qualitative method of observation to provide a picture of the landscape features in Abuja, Nigeria from macro-level to the street and residential front gardens (micro-level). Photographs are used to capture the visual and aesthetic dimensions of the landscape and document visual attributes. The study reveals that the design and development of the city create the quality of openness and beautiful neighbourhoods to live, work and recreate. Trees and the greens beautify the city and decorate the environment. Good road networks and traffic lights enhance the efficiency of the traffic while the urban structures produce a cityscape that gives the city a distinct character. Abuja is a beautiful city. Keywords: Macro-level, Micro-Level, Abuja, Urban landscape, Built Environment. Introduction World Bank (2020) claims that 55% of the world's population lives in urban areas today. Furthermore, the World Bank (op.cit) argues that with more than 80% of global GDP generated in cities, urbanization has the capacity to contribute to sustainable growth if managed well by increasing productivity, allowing innovation and new ideas to emerge.