PROMOTING RELAXATION, EXERCISE AND BIODIVERSITY THROUGH THE URBAN STREAM CORRIDORS

Abstract

Stream corridors are an important urban landscape unit that should be developed for recreation, exercise and biodiversity. However, Akure stream corridors are hardly used for these purposes. The absence of local riparian buffer ordinances further complicates the problem. This makes the benefits of urban stream corridors to be little appreciated in the city. This paper examines the pattern of usage of Akure urban stream corridors, and the constraints to their development for relaxation, exercise and biodiversity. Until now, research attention into Akure stream corridor benefits is lacking. A total of 317 structured questionnaires were administered across the city’s built-up area. This was complemented with interviews and observations. Analysis of the data was executed in SPSS Version 22.0. The Bartlett’s test indicated that the samples were adequate. The minimum Cronbach’s alpha was 0.744. This met the criteria for validity and reliability. Rather than develop Akure stream corridors for relaxation, exercise and biodiversity, they are gradually depleted for residential and commercial uses. Combining the local riparian buffer ordinances with mass education, may instigate a commitment of the urban stream corridors towards relaxation, exercise and biodiversity by the planners, policy makers, and the residents.