FIRE OUTBREAK AS A HINDRANCE TO INCLUSIVE CITY GROWTH AND URBAN LIVEABILITY

Abstract

Studies have shown that lack of adherence to Fire Safety Requirements by building owners and occupants leads to increase in the rate of fire incidents, leading to a multiplying effect on inclusive city growth and urban liveability. This study therefore examined the incidence of fire outbreak as a hindrance to inclusive city growth and urban liveability in Niger State. To achieve this, the study reviewed the trends in the occurrence of fire incidents and rate of housing development; established the relationship between number of recorded fire incidents and rate of housing development; and suggested ways of reducing the effects of the hindrance of fire incidents to inclusive city growth and urban liveability. Data were collected from the archives of Niger State Fire Service on recorded cases of fire incidents and Niger State Urban Development Board on rate of housing development from 2000 - 2015. Bar charts and line graphs were employed to present trend analysis on incidents of fire outbreak and rate of housing development. Simple linear regression analysis was used to establish the statistical relationship existing between the incidents of fire outbreak and the rate of housing development. The study found that the number of fire incidents and rate of housing development both fluctuated over the period of study. It was also revealed that a slightly strong, negative and significant relationship exists between the number of fire incidents and rate of housing development. It was concluded that the incidents of fire outbreak poses significant hindrances to inclusive city growth and urban liveability. Major recommendations from the study were that the Government should provide sustainable construction processes, buildings and maintenance and implement inclusive and locally rooted visions of 21st century cities for all neighourhoods.