TOILET FACILITIES

Public markets in Edo State serve as vital economic engines and social hubs, yet their functional sustainability is increasingly compromised by the systematic failure of auxiliary infrastructure. This study investigates the "Relevance of Toilet Facilities on the Performance of Urban Market in Edo State: An Architectural Evaluation." The research addresses the problem of existing sanitation facilities failing to meet architectural design and accessibility standards, which leads to structural deterioration, environmental hazards, and reduced public confidence. The primary aim is to evaluate the design adequacy, spatial integration, and inclusivity of these facilities and to determine their direct impact on market performance indicators such as user satisfaction and spatial efficiency. The study adopts a qualitative research approach based on architectural observation, field documentation, and semi-structured interviews with market users and management officials. Direct assessment of toilet facilities was carried out to evaluate accessibility, spatial location, ventilation, water supply, material conditions, and maintenance
practices. Photographic documentation and field notes were used to support physical and spatial analysis of sanitation facilities within New Benin, Uselu, and Jattu markets. The research argues that architectural deficiencies, including poor natural ventilation and non-durable materiality, trigger user avoidance behavior, thereby reducing "dwell time" and overall market productivity. The study concludes that well-designed, inclusive sanitation infrastructure acts as a performance multiplier for urban markets. The findings contribute to sustainable urban design by proposing a context-specific architectural template for market sanitation, providing an evidence-based roadmap for town planners, architects, and policymakers to enhance the hygiene, dignity, and economic viability of public markets in Edo State.