Socio-Economic Implication of Urban Sprawl on Changing Land Use Pattern in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

Urban sprawl is a universal phenomenon which mostly reveals urbanization effect on land uses. This study employed Survey Research Design (SRD) to explore urban sprawl impact on land use changes in Akure region. It involved personal observation and structured questionnaires administered on selected household-heads. The study area was organized into two Data Delineation Areas (DDAs) -the Akure Urban and Akure Peripheries. Average households in Akure Urban were estimated at 95,232 while those at the Peripheries/adjoining communities were 14,794; totaling 110,026 households. Out of this, a sample of 1% was selected for questionnaire interview in a succession of 10th buildings on one respondent per building. Findings revealed unguided expansion in the growth of the city and undue encroachment into green areas at the suburbs. There were incompatible land use conversions, occasioned by various socio-economic activities of the residents. The study suggests effective zoning strategy to mitigating the unguided nature of the expansion. It also recommends adequate monitoring by the Development Control Department and other stakeholders in urban planning to check incompatible land use changes. Besides, the age-long master plan of Akure is noted for review while a more comprehensive regional plan is advocated to guide the development of the entire region.