ANALYZING OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL SPACES IN SHALOM INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, IN CONTEXT OF NEKEMTE, ETHIOPIA

Advisor: Professor Fathi Bashier (PhD) ABSTRACT In today’s world with advancement of technology, most of work and daily activities are being supported or completely done with computers and other modern machines. As result, most of the urban populations’ physical activity is limited to office; and sedentary way of life is increasing which has bad consequence on human health. To alleviate this health problem there should be somewhere or space to refresh, relax, and exercise. In context, of Nekemte (Ethiopia); with increasing mechanization and changing socio-economic condition; outdoor recreation spaces form an important aspect for better livable society, good physical and mental health. There is an urgent need to connect with nature and it also acts as an essential characteristic feature, not only for customer satisfaction and customer retention but also for improving socio-economic condition of the society at large. The purpose of this study is to analyze outdoor recreational spaces in Shalom international hotel in context of Nekemte which can contribute to decrease sedentary way of life. Qualitative methods of data collection with observation, literature review, questionnaire and case study were employed to obtain detail data related to outdoor recreational hotel space and analyzed. The main importance of outdoor recreational space in Shalom international hotel is for refreshment and relaxation, for physical exercise and fitness hence helps to improve human health; ceremony for social events. Basic components outdoor recreational are: green space, shaded seat out with cafeteria, swimming pool, playground, parking area. Crucial factors that influence one hotel to have basic components of outdoor recreational space are identified and include architecturally well designed outdoor recreational space, adequate land and being guided with international or national hotel standard guideline. Giving attention to layout of the hotel is the main part that should be taken into consideration when building outdoor recreational space. Landscape having combination of sculptures, fountains, water bodies with falling water, flowers and lawns give extra beauty to outdoor recreational space of the hotel ;and attention should be given for architectural design of the hotel to include these architectural feature. Keywords: outdoor, recreational space, hotel, analyzing