Ninth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

The world is witnessing a rapid rate of urbanization as 54% of the world’s people lived in cities in 2014 and this proportion is expected to increase to 66% by 2050 (United Nations, 2014). Nigeria is one of the rapidly urbanizing nations of Africa with about 85 million people living in urban settlements in 2016. This study examined the problem of urban sprawl in Nigeria with particular reference to the Abuja – Karu – Yanyan – Mararaba road corridor in the North Central part of Nigeria. It 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 15.0% in the 2007 – 2012 period. The built-up area increased from 31.07 km2 to 54.50 km2 representing 76.38% magnitude of growth in five years. The nature of sprawl development in the area featured both dense\compact developments along the Abuja – Keffi road corridor 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, inadequate water and waste disposal facilities, slum development, and poor environmental condition. Amongst others, the study recommended proactive urban planning, urban renewal, and cooperation between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA) and Nassarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB) in the management of sprawl so as to achieve orderly and inclusive urban growth in the area.