Urban Sprawl and the Challenges of Physical Development Planning in the North-Central Part of Nigeria

Abstract

The world is witnessing a rapid rate of urbanization and Nigeria is one of the rapidly urbanizing nations of Africa. This study examined the problem of urban sprawl in Nigeria with particular reference to the Yanyan–Mararaba–Masaka road corridor along the Abuja–Keffi highway in the North Central part of Nigeria. The research monitored urban sprawl in the area using the Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) images of 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017. The study revealed a high rate of physical development in the area with an annual growth rate of 15.3 percent within the 2007–2012 period. The built-up area increased from 31.07 km2 to 54.50 km2 representing 76.38 percent magnitude of growth in five years. The nature of sprawl development in the area featured both dense/compact developments in the growth corridor along the Abuja–Keffi road as well as dispersed, leap frogging developments in the far hinterland of the road. The negative effects of the sprawl development include flood plain occupation, poor waste management, poor environmental conditions, and slum development. Amongst others, the study recommended proactive urban planning, urban renewal, and the establishment of an autonomous joint physical planning taskforce to manage the sprawl so as to achieve orderly and inclusive urban growth in the area.