African Journal of Estate and Property Management

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 7 (4), pp. 001-014, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Accessibility for the disabled people to the built environment in Ankara, Turkey

Mehmet Emin Baris* and Aysel Uslu

Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Landscape Architecture, 06110 Diskapi, Ankara, Turkey.

Accepted 22 August, 2019

Abstract

This research has been made to investigate the accessibility of the disabled people living in Ankara to the built environment and their problems and priorities with respect to participation to urban life and to what extent they can share urban life. The study made on the basis of a survey covers visually-impaired and walking-impaired people as well as those dependent on wheelchairs. The evaluations have provided information relevant to the problems that the disabled people face with respect to accessibility to the built environment, their usage of the built environment and participation to social life and their priorities in this respect. Findings of the research show that the disabled people face many physical barriers in accessing the built environment, that the barriers existing in the urban environment limit the individual's independent movement on his/her own and that this hinders disabled people's social communication and causes them feel excluded. It is expected that the results of this study would contribute to development of social consciousness with respect to disabled people's equal participation to social life specifically in Ankara and to removal of the reasons excluding the disabled people from social life and would also guide the efforts in this respect, of individuals, institutions and public bodies who give shape to cities.

Key words: Disability, urban accessibility, physical barriers, Ankara.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An analysis of real estate consumers’ perception of service quality in estate agency practice in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Araloyin, F. M.* and Olatoye O.

Department of Estate Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 September, 2011

Abstract

The role of real estate consumers in estate agency practice cannot be over-emphasized. They are involved in service production and affect the overall service delivery. This study provides an analysis of the real estate consumers’ perception of service quality in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria for the purpose of creating better consumers’ satisfaction and improving service quality in the real estate agency market. The data collection instrument adopted for this study was self-administered questionnaires. A survey of 203 real estate consumers revealed what real estate consumers actually value in real estate agency service delivery but are lacking on the part of real estate agents. Findings indicated five key components to consumers’ satisfaction in real estate agency in the study area. These components are: “courtesy”, “provided service as promised”, “frequent communications”, “exact time services would be performed” and “personal attention”. These components contribute to consumers’ satisfaction and the ability to attract repeat businesses in real estate agency in Lagos metropolis.

Key words: real estate consumers, real estate agents, consumers’ satisfaction, consumers’ perception, service quality, Lagos metropolis.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Accessibility effect on urban land values

Mehmet Topçu

(Dr.) Selcuk University, Faculty of Engineering and Arhitecture, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, 42000, Campus/Konya/Turkey. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +90 332 223 19 95.

Accepted 19 September, 2019

Abstract

There has always been a demand for real estate with the aim of accommodation and/or making investments. The real estate is also vital for a country’s economy as urban land value is determinative in both urban planning and real estate activities in economies of today’s world. Knowing the factors affecting the land values is an important advantage in identifying the future of urban development and anticipating probable changes. This study aims to discuss these values from housing perspective. There are many factors affecting housing land values. Among all, this study examined the accessibility factor related to housing land values. The study aims to discuss which accessibility factor affects mostly and to propose an original methodology with reference to Istanbul, a world metropolis. This study has been conducted using GIS database, statistical methods as well as space syntax method. The spatial configuration is examined based on two different integration parameters; local and global, used in space syntax approach. In the scope of this study, there are 18 different variables that are analyzed in 403 streets in Istanbul. The data collected is entered in GIS and statistical analyses have been conducted. Based on the analysis, the distances from the sea are the most related parameter affecting housing land values. The others are the distance from the central business district, spatial integration values, universities and sanitary facilities are effective factors in determining housing land values respectively. The other 13 parameters affect the results with low level. This study is important as it offers a possibility of integrating different approaches including space syntax, which examines factors affecting the housing land values. This study with its original methodology proposed is expected to contribute the further studies in city planning, urban design and real estate.

Key words: Accessibility, land values, space syntax, stanbul.

African Journal of Estate and Property Management ISSN 9671-8498 Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-016, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterizing soils of Delbo Wegene watershed, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia for planning appropriate land management

Ashenafi Ali¹*, Abayneh Esayas² and Sheleme Beyene³

¹Wollo University, P. O. Box 1145, Desse, Ethiopia.

²National Soil Testing Center, P. O. Box 147, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

³Hawassa Universities, P. O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

Accepted 12 October, 2019

Abstract

The soils of the Delbo Wegene watershed of Southern Ethiopia were characterized along toposequence for the development of land management plan for sustainable soil management practices. Four pedons along toposequence were studied. Delbo Wegene watershed is located between 06°52’ 45.9’’ and 06°53’34.8’’ N latitude and between 37°48’ 10.5’’ and 37°48’42.4’’E longitude, with altitude ranging from 2100 to 2300 m.a.s.l. The soils were generally dark reddish brown to very dark brown and very deep (> 150 cm). The overall friable consistency, low bulk density (1.0 to 1.26 gm/cm³), sub angular to angular blocky structure, high total porosity (53 to 61%) indicated that the soils have good physical condition for plant growth. The soils were slightly (pH: 5.8) to moderately acidic (pH: 6.4). Organic carbon content, available micronutrients and cation exchangeable capacity of the soils decrease with soil depth. However, exchangeable cations increase with increasing soils depth. Available phosphorus content of the soils ranged from very low to high. However, available Cu content of the soils were marginal to deficient. The upper and middle pedons with argilic subsurface horizons were classified as Typic Paleustults (Soil Survey Staff, 1999). These soils correlate with Cutanic Luvisols (WRB, 2006). The lower and toe slope pedons with mollic epepedon and cambic subsurface horizon were classified as Typic Haplustepts. These soils correlate with Haplic Cambisols (WRB, 2006). The result indicated that the distribution and properties of the soils vary along the toposequence in the watershed.

Key words: Soil characteristics, soil classification, Delbo-Wegene watershed.