Comparative Assessment of Quality of Landscape Features in a Heritage Site: A Case Study of Ado-Awaye and Idanre Hills

Heritage landscapes play a critical role in cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, andtourism development. However, disparities in landscape management and infrastructural provisionoften limit their functional and experiential value, particularly in developing countries. This studypresents a comparative assessment of landscape feature quality at two prominent heritage sites inSouthwestern Nigeria Ado-Awaye Suspended Lake and Idanre Hills. Using a structured five-pointLikert scale, key landscape features were evaluated across four parameters: availability, adequacy,quality, and efficiency. Primary data were obtained through systematic field observations,photographic documentation, and on-site assessments. The findings reveal significant variationbetween the two sites. Idanre Hills consistently recorded higher performance scores across allparameters, reflecting the impact of structured management, cultural integration, and sustainedinfrastructural investment. In contrast, Ado-Awaye, despite its unique natural feature, exhibitsdeficiencies in circulation systems, visitor facilities, maintenance quality, and interpretiveinfrastructure. These limitations adversely affect visitor experience, safety, and heritageinterpretation. The study concludes that effective heritage landscape performance depends on thesynergistic interaction of physical provision, functional adequacy, maintenance quality, andoperational efficiency. It recommends targeted infrastructural upgrades, community-basedmanagement strategies, and conservation-oriented planning interventions at Ado-Awaye, drawinglessons from the management framework of Idanre Hills. The findings contribute empiricalevidence to heritage tourism and landscape management discourse in Nigeria and comparabledeveloping contexts.