EFFECTS OF PERI-URBAN SPRAWL ON SUSTAINABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Peri-urban areas, which may have become the most common type of living and working situation, as well as the dominant urban form and spatial planning challenge in the developing world in the twenty-first century, can be characterized as a heterogeneous mosaic of rural and urban features. The peri-urban areas have some effects on sustainable living environment, while having at the same time some mutually conflicting goals, including housing the neediest immigrants, attracting private capital and provision of un-serviced but affordable plots of land to a significant proportion of people. It is often a zone of chaotic urbanization leading to sprawl. The uncontrolled growth of peri-urban areas in Ibadan, Nigeria, is leading to high consumption of open land and ultimate loss of natural landscapes, among other pressures on the environment. Thus, the phenomenon of peri-urban sprawl could be potentially a threat to sustainable living environment. This study, therefore, focused on examining the development of peri-urban sprawl in Ibadan and its effects on sustainable living environment. Specifically, the research examined the following objectives: (i) identify the characteristics of peri-urban areas and sprawl of Ibadan; (ii) identify the causes and effects of peri-urban sprawl within the geographical area of Ibadan; (iii) assess the availability of in-house infrastructural facilities in the peri-urban areas of Ibadan; (iv) investigate the land acquisition process and its effects on sustainable living environment; and (v) examine the existing strategies employed in achieving sustainable living environment in the peri-urban area of Ibadan. Data for the study were collected using the questionnaire as primary instrument. Additional instruments employed included the focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and direct observation (DO). Altogether, the study interviewed 2,250 respondents, comprising 2,100 questionnaires administered, 70 FGDs, and 80 KIIs. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The three hypotheses that emanated from the problems and objectives of the study were tested using key statistical test measures, such as chi-square, stepwise multiple regression, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings from the study are summarized herein. Ibadan recorded a sprawl of more than four times over a 38-year period (1966-2004). The causes of the peri-urban sprawl included the cost of land; types of housing (mostly bungalows); the practice of building without regulation; and weak development control mechanism of the town planning authorities. The effects of the sprawl were both positive and negative, with the latter being more pronounced, including contributing to non-achievement of sustainable urbanization, and environmental consequences in terms of excessive traffic congestion; air pollution; lack of or inadequate sanitation and other social amenities; deforestation and destruction of natural landscapes; and flooding. There were also low level of availability and accessibility of in-house and neighborhood facilities; spatial inefficiency and lack of equity in the location of health facilities. The land acquisition process was predominantly through the family landholding system, operated by land speculators and indigenous land owners (omo-oniles) with their antecedent problems that were not contributing to achievement of sustainable living environment. The existing strategies to achieve sustainable environment were self-help by the residents. Flowing from the data analysis, findings and discussion, the study made the following recommendations: (i) regulate the peri-urban sprawl by strengthening the existing Local Town Planning Authorities for proper, effective and efficient coordination of peri-urban growth; (ii) provision of in-house and neighborhood facilities by the residents and creation of enabling environment for same by the governments; and (iii) regulate the land allocation and acquisition process.