Residents' Social Interactions in Market Square and Its Impact on Community Well-Being

This study aims at ameliorating the associated challenges emanated from the ineffective planning, management and design of market square as well as appraisal of the interactions among people of diverse ethnicity. Hence, the study explores users' interactions and activities within three markets square in rural neighborhoods of South-west, Nigeria. The significant relationship between resident's interactions and the community well-being was explored. Consequently, this study highlights the influence of the market square as a typical neighborhood open space on residents' well-being. The study's quantitative approach encircled the purposive structured survey questionnaire data obtained from Yorubas, Hausas, and Ibos respondents (n=382); and analyzed by SPSS statistical package (version 22). Meanwhile, the qualitative data included observation of various activity pattern among the three ethnic groups. The study's findings revealed that an improvement in the market square quality becomes necessary in order to increase residents' interactions and well-being. Also, the study elucidates the appropriate link between the built environment, residents' interactions, and well-being. It is concluded that residents' well-being is a reflection of an experience manifested within the interplay of individuals and groups' social interactions. This study of people and place relationships could better equip the professionals in the built environment on the importance of creating a sustainable open space towards improving residents' well-being and rural community revitalization efforts.

market is exemplified by Omole, Lukman, & Baki, (2013) in that market acts as a gathering point for the protraction of cultural lineage obligations and responsibilities. Thus, market square acts as a social arena, where social activities, like courtship, visiting friends, and exchange of ideas occur. Other social activities in market square include dancing, dating, and recreational events (Anthonia, 1973). Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in the exploration of varying degree of social interactions among market Square's users and community residents of both developed and developing countries. However, little efforts have been initiated in exploring the social interactions among diverse ethnic groups in the market square (which is also known as Oja in Yoruba parlance) of such a large and multicultural nation as Nigeria.
A host of challenges often time associated with the use of the traditional rural market square, which has been established as an important typical rural neighborhood open space in Nigeria. These challenges as reinstated by Agboola, Rasidi, & Ismail (2016), include inadequate social interactions, contestation over the use, the need for improved facilities and amenities, security and environmental hazards amongst others. Meanwhile, the interactions among diverse ethnics within the markets are often threatened E\ LQGLJHQH DQG VHWWOHU·V GLFKRWRP\ DQG DV VXFK have negative impacts on the rural developments efforts. Other constraints in people social interaction within the traditional rural market in Nigeria are traceable to improper developmental issues and inadequate facilities.
For instance, the significance of social interaction attributed to non-availability and in some cases management RI DGHTXDWH PDUNHW·V IDFLOLWLHV DQG DPHQLWLHV Similarly, haphazard and uncoordinated physical planning has been a cog in the wheel RI PDUNHW·V VSDFH XWLOL]DWLRQ DQG PDQDJHPHQW $ UHIOHFWLRQ RI WKHVH FRXOG EH VHHQ IURP PDUNHW·V physical conditions traceable to poor accessibility, sanitary conveniences, inadequate water supply, electricity, and other community facilities. The planning challenges include encroachment on the market boundary, poor landscaping, inefficient refuse disposal system, and other services utilities (Uzuegbunam 2012). This study aimed at proffering solution towards ameliorating the associated social interaction challenges in the market square. Establishing adequate social interactions among diverse PDUNHW·V XVHrs portray identifiable benefits. For instance, a well-equipped and planned market VTXDUH ZLOO LPSDFW SRVLWLYHO\ RQ WKH XVHUV· ZHOObeing and satisfaction. Other significance LQFOXGHV HQKDQFHPHQW RI SHRSOHV· WRJHWKHUQHVV and cordial relationship among the diverse HWKQLFV ,Q WKLV VWXG\·V FRQWH[W ZHOO-being is synonymous with a sense of community which refers to the feelings that community residents have towards each other. This depicts belongingness, shared loyalty and neighborliness (McMillan, David & Chavis, 1986). In recent time, enhancement of human well-being remains a vital issue that required attention among professionals in built environment. In view of this, WKHUH LV D GHVLURXV QHHG IRU SURSHU RSHQ VSDFHV· planning targeting improvement on peoplHV· interactions and movement (Southworth & 2ZHQV ,W LV HYLGHQW WKDW SHRSOH·V perception of social interaction has intertwined SRVLWLYHO\ ZLWK UHVLGHQWV· VHQVH RI FRPPXQLW\ (Lund, 2002;Wood,Frank & Giles-Corti, 2010). For proper understanding and clarity, this research is underpinned by social interactions, cohesion and attachment concepts. These variables are paramount towards achieving the following: (i) creation of enabling an environment for passive social contact among WKH XVHUV LL DSSURSULDWH VSDFH IRU UHVLGHQWV· interactions and community cohesion (Fleming, %DXP 6LQJHU DQG ODVWO\ LLL UHVLGHQWV· attachment to the market (Peters, Elands, & Buijs, 2010). Succinctly, the concepts captured the collective values of the processes and attachments that existed between people and their environment, which leads to community well-being (Davidson &Cotter, 1986 andNasar &Julian 1995). This research work focused on the level of interactions among the diverse markHWV· XVHUV DQG WKH DELOLW\ WR IDFLOLWDWH WKH UHVLGHQWV· well-being. Past studies have established that both the social interaction, place attachment can promote well-being (Maloutas & Pantelidou, 2004).
Therefore, the creation of social interaction and well-being remain vital and should be regarded as an agent towards the enhancement of the built environment. Consequently, the affective bond between people and the environment in the rural community could further enhance social relationships, community experiences, and UHVLGHQW·V ZHOO-EHLQJ 7KLV VWXG\·V HWKQLFV respondents are the Yoruba, Hausa, and Ibos who are patrons and vendors within three different markets in South-west, Nigeria. Holistically, the research findings appraise the present condition of the market environments and the socio-cultural background of its users.

Concepts of Social Interaction, Social Cohesion, and Well-Being
Social interaction as coined as the associated communal contact between residents while involving in various daily activities (Hesham, Ismail & Hisyam 2014). Past literature affirm that VRFLDO LQWHUDFWLRQV DPRQJ GLYHUVH HWKQLF·V groups promote participatory drives within the community and subsequently lead to a feeling RI DFFHSWDQFH RI HDFK RWKHU·V OLYH 3XWQDP 2000). Past studies have shown in clear terms WKDW D UHODWLRQVKLS H[LVWV EHWZHHQ WKH SHRSOH·V social interaction, well-being, and the physical environment. It is noteworthy to state that; the physical aspects of the environment can contribute to the improvement of social interactions leading to general community UHVLGHQWV· ZHOO²being as conceptualized in Figure  1. A good social interaction involves adequate social network upon which social capital is rooted. While on the other hand, social capital responds to diverse interpersonal factors such as belongingness, the opportunity for social interaction, social network, norms and mutual trust among ethnic groups (Peters, Elands, & Buijs, 2010). Adequate interactions among ethnics are a panacea towards achieving social cohesion, between the individuals or groups (Potapchuk, Crocker & Schechter, 1997;Marshall & Stolle, 2004). It becomes evident that the associated significance of market square as a neighbourhood opens space relies on its affordance of human social contacts among diverse ethnics of cultural backgrounds (Lofland, 1998;Fainstein, 2005).
The significance of interactions vested solely on the provision of reliefs perlatives from human daily struggles and tensions (Dines, & Cattell, 2006). In addition, appropriate design and managements of open space often attract greater percentage of UHVLGHQW·V YLVLWDWLRQ DQG VXEMHFWLYH SODFH IRU human interactions (Dines, & Cattell, 2006;Uitermark, 2003). Similarly, open space such as market square could promote resiGHQWV· satisfaction, dependence, and trust (Kim, 1997;Carmona, 2010). The higher the residential social interaction, the higher the community social development (Lalli, 1992). In another dimension, social interaction leads to neighbourliness and joint ownership prides. Neighbourliness involves a high level of friendly dispositions among residents, friends, and families, while it also promotes mutual respect, DFFHSWDQFH RI GLYHUVLWLHV DPRQJ HWKQLFV· residents.
Explicitly, neighbourliness is a relationship through which residents can communicate and share common ideas together. Pre-requisites for social bonding in market associates with people familiarity, regular use, and available facilities (Dines, & Cattell, 2006). Well-being according to Chen, (2006) UHIHUV WR WKH WRWDOLW\ RI DOO UHVLGHQWV· HQFRXQWHUV relationships, and experiences that emanated from harmonious relationships. On the other hand, community well-being could be categorized as socioeconomic, emotional, KHDOWK DQG VDIHW\ .LO HW DO 7KLV VWXG\·V definition of well-being is the existence of the KXPDQV· QHLJKERXUOLQHVV LQWHUSHUVRQDO relationship and joint involvement in community programs as equally reinstated (Butterworth, 2000). The author opined that the determinants of community well-being include social ties, sense of community, community cohesion and sense of place. Community well-being included safe and accessible environment, as well as joint participation in community acWLYLWLHV E\ HWKQLFV· groups.

Methodology: Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement of Items
In a view to properly comprehend the research findings, measurement items of the quantitative TXHVWLRQQDLUH ZHUH UDWHG RQ D ´µ /LNHUW VFDOH targeting the rHVSRQGHQWV· UHVSRQVHV RQ VKDULQJ SHUFHSWLRQV 7KH ´ µ VWDWHPHQW LQGLFHV HOLFLWHG includes (i) Sharing market square with other HWKQLF·V JURXSV LV DOZD\V JRRG 6+$ LL 6KDULQJ PDUNHW VTXDUH ZLWK RWKHU HWKQLF·V JURXSV LV always helpful (SHA2), (iii) Sharing market square ZLWK RWKHU HWKQLF·V JURXSV LV DOZD\V FKHULVKHG E\ me (SHA3), (iv) Sharing market square with other HWKQLF·V JURXSV LV DOZD\V HQMR\DEOH 6+$ Y 6KDULQJ PDUNHW VTXDUH ZLWK RWKHU HWKQLF·V JURXSV brings mutual trust and understanding and gives me satisfaction (SHA5). The perception of the respondents on their well-being anytime they were in the market square was explored base on the following: (i) I am comfortable with the quality of the market anytime I found myself in the market square (QUA1), (ii) I am comfortable with the amenities and facilities provided in the market square (QUA2), (iii) I am comfortable with physical features of market square (QUA3), (iv) I DP FRPIRUWDEOH ZLWK WKH PDUNHWV· VHFXULW\ DQG safety (QUA4

Case Study Areas
As depicted in Figure 2, the position occupied by the case study neighbourhoods. Ijebu-jesa, Ijeda, and Iloko towns are located under Oriade local government council, Osun State. Ijeda-Ijesa is located at latitude 70 401 North and longitude 40 501 East while Iloko is located at latitude 7º 381 North and longitude 4º 48¹ East. Meanwhile, Ijebu-jesa town has latitude of 70.451 and longitude 40 431 degree east. The three towns shared boundaries with Efon-Alaaye in Ekiti State, Eti-oni, Ilesha, Iwaraja, Iwoye, and Erinmo.
The Figure 3 and 4 shows the sectional areas within the case study market. However, the markets have been in the existence for more than ten decades, serving as a socio-economic, cultural, religious and recreational environment for the teaming users.   sharing market brings mutual trust and understanding and gives satisfaction (SHA5) exhibited an average mean value of 3.50 (SD 1.70). Overall, the mean values exceeded the EHQFKPDUN RI ´ µ ZKLFK DIILUPHG D SRVLtive HPRWLRQDO FRQQHFWLRQ WRZDUGV UHVLGHQWV· VKDULQJ the market with others. Despite the challenges associated with the qualities of the market, residents still consider it worthy to interact and integrate. This result affirmed the significance of the market in the lives of its users, as corroborated by the past market study of Dines, & Cattell, (2006) and Nasution & Zahrah (2014). Thus, improvements in the quality of the market surroundings could as well enhance the high level of interaction among the users. In view of this, urban designers are encouraged to achieve the strategic sustainable planning for long-term vision. This is considered as the important indicators to achieve the high level of human life DQG XVHUV· VDWLVIDFWLRQ 1LNRRIDP Mobaraki, 2016). For the quantitative analysis, a total number of 50 SDUWLFLSDQWV· REVHUYDWLRQV ZHUH FDUULHG RXW within the three markets square. The qualitative observation results in Anthonia, (1973); Agboola , Rasidi, & Ismail (2016);Uzuegbunam, (2012);and McMillan, David & Chavis, (1986) show the diverse interactions among the Yoruba, Hausa, and Ibo within the 3 major markets square in the area. The findings of quantitative result validate the quantitative result that established a fair sharing of the market among the ethnics.  Meanwhile, medium interaction (15-20 minutes) was established between Igbo and Yoruba. However, Figure 6, depicted the long interaction between the three ethnics at Iloko market, while short interaction (less than 15 minutes) only occurred between Yoruba and Igbos. The third observation in Ijeda market was shown in Figure 7, in which it revealed that short interaction (less than 15 minutes) existed between Yoruba and Hausa within the market. This was traceable to the greetings and charting as the purpose of interaction. Meanwhile, the long interactions that existed among the ethnics were as a result of the diverse purpose of interactions such as trading, religious and cultural activities and social activities (playing games, deliberations etc). The comparison of the interaction among the ethnics in the three markets was presented in Figure 8. An interaction existed among the three ethnics, while the purpose of interactions was traceable to different activities ranging from greetings, religion, and social discussion and economic. Long and short interactions occurred between the three ethnics groups, which demonstrated that in spite of the various challenges and iota of conflict, engaging in some activities such as trading, social-cultural activities build social interaction among the groups. An indication WKDW PDUNHWV· HQYLURQPent should be designed in a bid to facilitate various activities and joint participation. This target at meeting the needs, preferences, and intention of users (Carr, 1982). 6LPLODUO\ SHRSOHV· VHQVH RI HPSDWK\ DQG understanding plays a significant role in the interactions (Forouzande & Motaliebi, 2012). 6LPLODUO\ XVHUV· ZLOOLQJQHVV WR VKDUH WKH PDUNHW with each other indicates encouragements for social interaction and sense of solidarity amongst them (Perkins, et al., 1996). Hence, meaningful encounters in market squares have a positive LPSDFW RQ WKH VXVWHQDQFH RI UHVLGHQWV· ZHOObeing as supported by (Dines, & Cattell, 2006). Also, social encounters among people create a sense of belonging, integration, and neighbourhood attachment. This was corroborated by the previous studies of Mutiara &Isami, 2012 andIbrahim, Omar &Mohamad, 2013). The finding affirmed that the affordance of opportunities for social interaction in the market square would promote human needs which are essential to the psychological development of individuals and community sustainability (Berkowitz, 1996 and Agboola, =DQJR =DNND /LNHZLVH WKH UHVLGHQWV· urge to use the market square encourages being parts of the community and helps to develop DQG SURPRWLQJ UHVLGHQWV· Zell-being, self-identity and communal activities ( Bryne &Wolch, 2009 andSaid, 2015).

Conclusion and Recommendation
This paper focused on the people-place relationship, and thus established that public open space such as market square offers an RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU GLYHUVH HWKQLF·V UHODWLRQVKLS despite the likelihood of conflict and rifts among users. This current study contributes substantially to the general understanding that the social interactions that take place among the ethnic groups in the market square. The findings would QRW RQO\ JLYH VXVWHQDQFH WR SHRSOHV· VKDUHG values but would also influence their well-being within the community. A good neighbourhood environment comprising market square as an integral part is noted to facilitate communal contact, well-being, and environmental sustainability when properly landscaped and equipped (Ahianba, Dimunna &Okogun, 2008 andAgboola, 2011). In line with the aforementioned, this study suggests that in the quest of improving interethnic relations and understanding, appropriate machinery should be put in place towards LPSURYLQJ WKH UROH SOD\HG E\ WKH PDUNHWV· square.
A well-equipped, landscaped, functional and conducive market will improve SHRSOH·V SRVLWLYH SHUFHSWLRQ DQG LQYDULDEO\ FRQWULEXWHV WR SHRSOHV· GHFLVLRQ WR UHPDLQ LQ WKH specific area. Also, the establishment of a well-SODQQHG PDUNHW ZRXOG HQFRXUDJH SHRSOHV· participation in a diverse range of activities. Therefore, provision of facilities, features, amenities, landscape features, and general maintenance becomes essential and every potential opportunity should be harnessed. As a result, adequate attention is needed towards improving the rural market square in Nigeria.

Acknowledgment
Authors express gratitude to the research assistants that helped during the data collection DQG WKH SDUWLFLSDQWV· ILHOG REVHUYDWLRQ SHULRGV Appreciations to the participants in Figure 4 for FRQVHQWHG WR DXWKRUV· UHTXHVW WR LQFOXGH WKHLU pictures in this article.