Abstract

Landscape design was increasingly recognized as an important factor influencing students’ social interaction and mental well-being within university environments. However, there had been limited research on how campus landscape design affected students in private universities in Nigeria, particularly at Caleb University. This research assessed the effects of landscape design at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State on students’ social interaction and mental well-being by analyzing existing outdoor features, patterns of space usage, and students’ perceptions of their impact on relaxation and psychological health.
A mixed-methods approach was adopted, involving questionnaire surveys, behavioural observations, and spatial analysis of selected campus outdoor spaces. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study revealed that well-designed landscape spaces significantly encouraged social engagement and supported students’ psychological health.
The findings provided practical recommendations for improving campus landscape design in Caleb University and similar institutional environments.