Authors : Nnaeto Ebubechi Brendan; Uche Chizaram Mirabelle; Ajuogu Ngozi Geraldine; Olasunmbo Olajumoke Ademakinwa

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/vkwcfcmf

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr813

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Campus green spaces are widely recognized as vital components of the built university environment, contributing significantly to students' psychological well-being and academic performance while serving as primary hubs for informal socialization (Speake, Edmondson, & Nawaz, 2013). However, while extensive literature exists on the benefits of campus landscapes globally, empirical studies exploring how these spaces actively shape social interactions within the specific socio-cultural context of Nigerian private tertiary institutions remain critically scarce. Addressing this gap, this study aims to evaluate students’ perceptions of the existing green spaces at Caleb University and determine how these environments impact their social interactions. The specific objectives are to identify the most utilized green areas on the campus, assess the features that attract students to these spaces, and analyze the correlation between perceived green space quality and the frequency of social engagement. To achieve this, the study adopts a mixed-methods research design. Quantitative data will be collected using structured questionnaires distributed to a stratified random sample of 350 undergraduate students. This will be complemented by qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews and direct non-participant observation of key campus green zones. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation, while thematic analysis will be applied to the qualitative data to uncover the nuanced ways the campus landscape fosters student community and social cohesion.

Keywords : Campus Green Spaces, Social Interaction, Student Perception, Built Environment, Social Cohesion, Environmental Psychology, Caleb University.

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