Post-Occupancy Evaluation of Community Centres in Southwestern Nigeria: Assessing Spatial Quality, Environmental Performance, and User Satisfaction

Community centres are civic social infrastructure whose usefulness depends on spatial organisation, environmental comfort, inclusive access and ongoing maintenance. This study examined user-reported performance of community centres in Southwestern Nigeria and contextualised the findings against four architecturally documented cases (two Nigerian field-appraised centres and two international desk-based precedents). A cross-sectional purposive survey included 150 users, comprising 75 respondents at Mapo Hall and 75 at Kola Daisi Ibadan Civic Centre; responses were pooled and analysed using descriptive statistics and a reported bivariate correlation. The mean of nine spatial-functional item means was 3.32/5; movement and orientation (M = 3.53) and circulation/seating (M = 3.51) were strongest, whereas inclusive accommodation (M = 3.10), signage (M = 3.14) and furniture/equipment (M = 3.15) were weakest. Ten environmental-management items averaged 3.25/5; lighting, ventilation and air quality ranked highest (M = 3.39), and maintenance lowest (M = 3.04). The reported aggregate socio-economic/cultural association with satisfaction was weak and not significant (r = −0.144, p = 0.079), although the construction of this aggregate could not be verified. Among 147 respondents to the improvement question, maintenance (46.9%), greener and more comfortable environments (27.2%) and accessibility (12.2%) were the main priorities. The findings suggest moderately favourable perceived functionality alongside specific deficits in inclusion and upkeep. A user-centred design–management approach is recommended, integrating accessible routes, legible information, adaptable rooms, appropriate environmental strategies, maintainability and repeated occupancy feedback.