Evaluating the Effectiveness of Passive Safety Design Strategies in Selected Nigerian Shopping Malls
Festival Mall (Festac), Ikeja City Mall, and Palms Mall (Ibadan)
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Abstract
This study evaluates the effectiveness of passive safety design strategies in selected Nigerian shopping malls: Festival Mall (Festac), Ikeja City Mall, and Palms Mall (Ibadan) using a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected from 196 respondents comprising architects, facility managers, fire safety experts, and users through structured questionnaires, analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 and NVivo 14. Descriptive analysis revealed that 50% of respondents rated safety signage as only “somewhat visible,” while 36.7% found fire exits difficult to locate. A chi-square test showed a significant association between signage visibility and evacuation confidence (χ² = 42.15, p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified signage visibility (β = 0.48, p < 0.001) and exit accessibility (β = 0.32, p = 0.002) as strong predictors of emergency preparedness. Thematic analysis further revealed recurring issues: poor lighting (62 references), blocked exits (42), and undersized or obscured signs (58). Respondents, especially younger users, suggested the use of digital wayfinding tools and improved illumination. The study concludes that current passive safety measures are inadequate and recommends glow-in-the-dark signage, LED lighting, policy enforcement, and integration of smart navigation tools. These findings have direct implications for architectural design policy, emergency preparedness, and shopping mall facility management across urban Nigeria.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Badedale S. Lawal, Dr. Ogunnaike Adekunle, Arc. Belema Audu (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Badedale S. Lawal, Caleb University, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
Department of Architecture, College of Postgraduate Studies
Dr. Ogunnaike Adekunle, Caleb University, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
Department of Architecture,
College of Postgraduate Studies
Arc. Belema Audu, Caleb University, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
Department of Architecture,
College of Postgraduate Studies
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