Tenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

Urban areas as centres of concentration of large human population and activities are prone to a number of disasters and accidents both natural and human-created, particularly with the increasing climate change impacts and their devastating effects on urban environments and dwellers. This paper explores the methods and policy actions instituted to take care of disasters and emergency situations in urban areas of Nigeria drawing from the experience of Akure, Ondo State. It identifies and discusses factors affecting disaster planning and management in the in the city. It also examines the preparedness of Nigerian cities to confront the menace of disaster. The data for the study were derived from indepth interviews of selected stakeholders in urban affairs in the area and focus group discussions (FGDs) with representatives of major groups including officials of the Akure South Local Government Council. This was complemented by data obtained from secondary sources including government publications. The study is indicative of lack of preparedness and lack of capacity of city governments to take care of emergencies in the country. The local governments do not have emergency response plans to handle unexpected occurrences. The local government in charge of the city failed to discharge this very important task and have almost abdicated it to the federal and state governments. This calls for policy actions to ensure that local governments in Nigeria prepare emergency plans and equipped themselves to be able to take care of disasters and emergency situations.