Enhancing Circulation and Security in a Shopping Environment Through Architectural Measures: A Case Study of the Congested Onitsha Main Market

The increasing need for individuals to satisfy their daily needs has transformed shopping centres into a centre of high activity culminating in high human and vehicular movements. This movement generates congestion when they are not properly organized. Most of the existing shopping centres are faced with circulation and security challenges within the exterior of the building (site) and the interior spaces. The prevalent circulation pattern in most shopping centres lacks orderliness and clarity. The researcher’s major consideration is to study the existing human and vehicular circulation path and security in shopping centres and proffer architectural measures to deploy towards enhancing them. Onitsha was taken as the study area and may be considered a representative of other towns in Anambra state. Descriptive survey research method was adopted in gathering information about the present conditions of shopping centres. Studies revealed poor circulation and security within shopping centre and its environment. The final outcome of the research was evident that circulation and security in a shopping centre will provide a comfortable shopping environment for shoppers.