PHYSICAL PLANNING ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING CONDITION OF THE SITE AND SERVICES SCHEME IN GONIN GORA , CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KADUNA STATE - NIGERIA

Abstract

.Housing as a unit of the environment has great influence on the health, efficiency, social behavior, satisfaction and general welfare of the community. It reflects the culture, social and economic value of a society. Housing is neither a mere shelter nor household facilities alone, it is an essential need that comprises of the essential services and facilities which makes up a physical environment that links such individual and his family to the community in which he evolves. Therefore, environmental amenities like waste disposal, water supply, access road and location services and social infrastructure like education, health and recreation are all part of the package of services designated as housing. Regardless of economic status, where to live is of paramount importance to human existence. Site and services scheme is seen as an approach basically employed by developing countries in providing housing for the poor and less privilege in the society. In this scheme the government and its agencies are responsible for providing infrastructural services while the individuals build their structure, infrastructural services like access roads, drainage, water, sewage, electricity and every other necessary community services. In site and services scheme the main idea is aimed at making the dweller who the serviced plot will be allotted to be an active participant in the process of housing. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of the site and services programme in the delivery of housing in Gonin Gora through the assessment of the adequacy of the utility and services, environmental qualities, affordability and compliance to development control. The survey method is use in gathering information, questionnaires, literatures and interview session where used to obtain both primary and secondary data. 179 households form the sample size, staff of the Kaduna State Urban Development and Planning Authority (KASUPDA), Kaduna State Development and Property Company (KSDPC) and the Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA). The findings show that the 33% of the occupants are tenants while 67% are landowners, 54% where able to build their house through their own savings, 31% through loans while 15% inherited their homes. The survey also reveals that 50% of the houses are in good condition, 37% in fair condition while 13% are in poor condition. The survey also reveals that the plot owners have not comply with development control because the development control department has not been consistent with enforcing control in the area. The scheme was initiated in good faith but the scheme has under-performed to be a model which can be replicated in other regions of the state, the scheme is still bedevil with bad roads, lack of drainage system, poor water distribution and lack of properly planned area designated for dumping of refuse. But all hope is not loss yet as the situation in the estate can be corrected by taking concrete and decisive decision to bring the scheme back on track for success.