Urban and Regional Planning

The Need for the Effective Development Control in a New Ste Capital - A Case Study of Awka Capital of Anambra State

Fri, 01 Dec 1995 00:00:00 GMT

The Need for the Effective Development Control in a New Ste Capital - A Case Study of Awka Capital of Anambra State Okafor, Gregory Ikechukwu The indiscriminate location of land uses, rapid and uncontrolled development in urban/rural areas as well as the old and new state capitals in Nigeria have resulted in urban slums, urban sprawl, traffic congestion, blight, obsolescence and overcrowding. Worst still, little or no attention is paid to their orderly growth and the demand they make on the limited land resources. Awka Capital Territory (the study area) as a new site for the New Anambra State Capital is also affected with the following development control problems: urban slums, urban sprawl, traffic congestion, blight, obsolescence and overcrowding. This research therefore, investigates the need for effective development control measures in Awka Capital Territory of Anambra State. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated in order to facilitate the study. The research questions sought to find solution to the problems of effective development control measures in Awka Capital Territory. Two hypotheses were used to test the relationships among the following variables: contraventions (illegal developments), official government allocations and open space/ recreational space preferences by households in the Territory.A representative sample of 15 out of 25 towns that constitute the Awka Capital Territory were selected for the study. Some 800 questionnaires were distributed in these towns based on the proportions of their population to that of the entire study area. Records on allocations and contraventions were obtained from relevant planning agencies in the area. The chi-square and multiple linear regression (M.L.R) techniques were used to test the hypotheses. Findings from the first hypothesis indicate that significant relationship exists between percentages of official residential allocations and percentage contraventions in the Awka-Amawbia urban core. Here, X2 calculated (1.46%) i.e the outcome value of observed and expected frequencies, is more than the significant value (0.078 %) obtained from the table. Moreover, there is a fairly positive relationship between the percentage of all households (Yl), and percentages of non-residential developments in the residential areas (X1), and the percentages of households that had considerations for open space/recreational facilities (X2). The analysis gave coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.55. The computed P value was 6.83, which is greater than the critical value of 3.98 at 5 percent significant level. There is significant relationship between the percentages of all households and percentages of non-residential developments in the residential areas.However, there is no significant relationship between the percentages of all holds and percentages of households that had considerations for open 1recreational facilities awareness in the area. This showed non-consideration of facilities by residents before locating their residences. The major implication of this study is the need for an effective development 31 measures which will ensure an optimal physical development of not only the new capitals, but also other urban and rural areas of Nigeria.

Determinants of Urban Land Use Dynamics in North Central Nigeria

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Determinants of Urban Land Use Dynamics in North Central Nigeria Alabi, Michael Oloyede Land development in the North Central Nigeria seems to be shifting out of the city centre to the fringes. Areas at the fringes that were once described as quiet and serene environment now seem to be characterized by noise, traffic congestion, informal economic activities and proliferation of incompatible developments. Literature has shown that city planners do not take cognizance of the factors responsible for these developments. The aim of the study was to determine the factors influencing land use dynamics and the extent to which these factors differ at the fringes of three cities in North Central Nigeria. To achieve this aim the following objectives were formulated to: (i) examine the rate and variation of land use change at the fringes of the study area (1974-2011), (ii) identify and group the factors influencing land use dynamics in the fringes of the area under study, (iii) determine whether there are variations in factors that influence land use dynamics at the fringes of the three cities under study, (iv) ascertain peoples’ perception of the factors of land use dynamics at the fringes of urban area under study and (v) explore the implications of the current pattern of land use dynamics for planning. Three hypotheses were postulated while primary and secondary data sources were employed in the study. The cities of Minna, Lokoja and Kaduna were selected from the North Central part of Nigeria. Systematic sampling technique was used to administer questionnaire on households in twelve neighborhoods of the three cities. Out of 1130 questionnaires distributed only 834 were dully filled and returned, 30 of the questionnaire were for the professional town planners. The Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the first and second hypotheses. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to classify data, while the Chi-square was used to test the third hypothesis. The ANOVA result showed that there is a significant change in the nature of land use among the cities in the past 37 years (F=1.481, p<0.05). The result of the PCA showed that ethnicity, religion, income, and the presence of auto- mechanic industry accounted for 23.22% of the total, the presence of block industries, proximity to eatery, and proximity to petrol stations accounted for 23.3%, land price and plot size accounts for 9.59%, density accounts for 6.58%, the component of soil and slope accounts for 6.55%. The ANOVA result for the second hypothesis also revealed the variations in the factors affecting land use dynamics among the three cities understudy, which was significantly different(F=19.277,p<0.05). The Chi-square result of the third hypothesis further revealed that perception varies significantly among stake holders. The results of these hypotheses have duly answered the research questions posited. It had brought out the peculiar factors of land use change in the study area. The factors should be considered in accessing the implication of policies on the effect of land use change in the cities. Also factors peculiar to different cities should be considered in planning, as a working guideline for decision making in land use development at the city fringes.

The Challenges and Impacts of Implementing Development Control Regulations in Rural Settlements of Enugu State

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT

The Challenges and Impacts of Implementing Development Control Regulations in Rural Settlements of Enugu State Nziwu, John E. Implementation of development control regulations has many challenges and impacts in rural Enugu State of Nigeria. This study focuses on the challenges and impacts of implementing development control regulations in rural settlements of Enugu State. Development control in rural Enugu State is ineffective due to building developers’ little or non-compliance with contravention notices served on them. The planning authorities in Enugu State have lacked the needed development control mechanism or instruments for implementing development control regulations. The goal of this study is to examine the challenges and impacts of these regulations. The objectives of the study therefore are to: identify the forms of traditional and customary land tenure system in operation in the rural settlements; determine the level of planning awareness of local people (as measured by the awareness of the existence of planning authorities in their community); identify the factors responsible for ineffective development control implementation; ascertain the impacts, if any, of implementing development control regulations in rural Enugu State; and make recommendations based on findings. The study recommends, among others, formulation of development control regulations to integrate the traditional or conventional development control regulations, and traditional building/development practices into the modern planning and development control regulation standards in ensuring sustenance of people’s cultural heritage. The study areas included Nkanu West, Oji River and Udenu Local Government Areas. Data used in this study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A sample of 400 copies of questionnaire was distributed to respondents using simple random sampling to collect primary data. 385 copies of the questionnaire were correctly filled and returned, representing 96.25%, response success rate. The second set of the questionnaire was distributed to the Chief Executives/Secretaries of the Planning Authorities. The secondary data were collected from books journals, government publications and internet search. Kruskal-Wallis H Test was used to test hypothesis and the result showed that development control regulations have significant impact on development in the rural settlements of Enugu State. The factors responsible for the ineffective development control include, among others, operation of traditional or customary land tenure system.

Analysis of Road Traffic Accident in Major Cities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Analysis of Road Traffic Accident in Major Cities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Road traffic accidents’ statistics in Nigeria revealed a serious and growing problem with absolute fatality rate and casualty figures rising rapidly. The challenges of road traffic accidents in Nigeria have not left Akwa Ibom State untouched as the State also shares in the pandemic of frequent loss of lives of her citizenry. Akwa Ibom State has three major urban areas – Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket. In the recent past, the urban areas were identified by different types of road traffic collisions as a result of poor road way character. In Uyo for instance, “rear-end” collision especially at poor junctions and collisions involving pedestrian and motorcyclist (Okada) were very common. Head-on collision was very rampant in Ikot Ekpene while Eket experience “run-off” road traffic crashes. Now, significant road improvements have been recorded in all the urban areas including the replacement of Okada by Tricycle (Keke) in Uyo metropolis. However, it is not clear whether there is significant change in the pattern and nature of road traffic accidents in the area as was speculated because there are no current literatures on road traffic accidents in the area. The study aimed at analyzing the nature and pattern of road traffic accidents in the three major urban areas of Akwa Ibom State. The objectives were to: (i) examine the nature of road traffic accidents in the study area, (ii) determine the predominant factors responsible for road traffic accidents in the areas, (iii) examine the influence of each of the contributory factors to road traffic accidents in the areas and (iv) determine whether there are differences in the rate of road traffic accidents in the areas. Survey research was designed in this study. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and interviews. Secondary data which include records of road traffic accidents in Akwa Ibom State from 1990 - 2012 were obtained mainly from published materials by the Federal Road Safety Commission Annual Reports. A total of four hundred (400) copies of questionnaire were administered across the three urban areas of the state. The purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in the study. The Taro Yamane formula for the derivation of finite population was used to obtain the sample size of 400 respondents from a population of 795,436 which is a total population of Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket urban areas. Road traffic personnel (Road Safety, Traffic Warden, The Police and Civil Defense), motorist and urban residents formed the sample population for the study. A total number of 385 copies of questionnaires were completed and returned representing 96.3% utilization. The study shows that there was an upward and downward pattern in the rate of road traffic accidents in the urban areas from 1990 to 2006. The rate increases from 1990 – 1993 in Uyo urban and between 1991 – 1993 in Ikot Ekpene urban and between 1997 – 1999 and 2001 – 2003 in Eket urban while the rate decreases generally from 2007 to 2012 in the entire area. The study revealed that the predominant factors responsible for road traffic accidents in the area include; increased population, average road width, average number of lanes, presence of road safety, dangerous driving, dangerous overtaking, sleeping on steering, route violation, night journey, traffic signs violation, driving under the influence of alcohol, overloading, traffic light violation, use of gsm phone while driving, tire burst, break failure, mechanically deficient vehicle, stationary vehicle/ obstruction, bad road and poor weather. The study shows the influence of the contributory factors in descending order thus; presence of road safety (0.985), night journey (0.960), sleeping on steering (0.953), traffic light violation (0.898), traffic signs violation (0.889), increased population (0.880), route violation (0.866), dangerous overtaking (0836), stationary vehicle/ obstruction (0.835), average number of lanes (0.806), driving under alcoholic influence (0.802), break failure (0.784), bad roads (0.701), average road width (0.688), dangerous driving (0.672), poor weather (0.660), tire burst (0.343), mechanically deficient vehicle (0.315), use of GSM phone while driving (0.295) and overloading (0.183). The study also revealed that there was significant differences in the rate of road traffic accidents in the three urban areas (F = 9.726, p < 0.05 significant level). The study recommends constant training of drivers to ensure adherence to road traffic regulations. Adequate funding of traffic personnel/ operations to aid contemporary/ practical approach in the management of road traffic system, and the adoption of preventive measures through the use of road design among others.