Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 5(6), pp. 193 - 206
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2017.050601
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Qualitative Adequacy of Students Hostels in Wa, Ghana

Elvis Attakora-Amaniampong , Stephen Ameyaw ^*, Wise Akortsu
Department of Real Estate and Land Management, Faculty of Planning and Land Management, University for Development Studies, Ghana

ABSTRACT

This study sought to assess the adequacy levels of some purpose-built hostels around the Wa campus of the UDS to meet the growing students' population in the Wa township. It sought to find out the qualitative adequacy levels of the accommodation provided by these private hostels and how the accommodation provided by the private sector adequately supports the educational needs and requirements of students. It also sought to identify the key housing attributes and services (facilities) whose improvement will enhance the level of satisfaction derived from these hostels. It was a post-occupancy evaluation based on survey questionnaires of 31 housing attributes. A five-point Likert scale was used in measuring the qualitative adequacy levels of five purpose-built hostels. The data was analysed with descriptive statistical techniques. Respondents found the hostels fairly adequate for academic purposes. No hostel was either very inadequate or very adequate. The building component attributes rated were mainly found to be adequate whiles the ancillary services needed by students were mostly found fairly adequate. Fire safety and internet services were found to be inadequate and contributed least to the overall adequacy of the hostels. The results suggest the need for regulation in the planning, design and construction of hostels in Wa since about one-half of the attributes used were generally rated fair and none found very adequate. Fire safety is critical in students housing due to the multitenant nature of hostels. This was however found inadequate; necessitating urgent attention to avert any future disaster.

KEYWORDS
Adequacy Indices, Student's Housing, Facilities, Ghana

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Elvis Attakora-Amaniampong , Stephen Ameyaw , Wise Akortsu , "Qualitative Adequacy of Students Hostels in Wa, Ghana," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 193 - 206, 2017. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2017.050601.

(b). APA Format:
Elvis Attakora-Amaniampong , Stephen Ameyaw , Wise Akortsu (2017). Qualitative Adequacy of Students Hostels in Wa, Ghana. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 5(6), 193 - 206. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2017.050601.