Abstract:
The study was carried out to assess the determinants of landuse conversion in the core of Akure,
Ondo state, Nigeria. The pattern of landuse conversion from 1984-2020 was evaluated. High
resolution Landsat images was used to identify landuse and their pattern in the core of Akure,
Ondo State. This study covered 12 streets in the core of Akure as adumbrated by the Ondo State
Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Akure. The streets are Imuagun, Odo
Ijoka, Araromi, Odo-Ikoyi, Oja-Oshodi, Isolo, Ijomu, Obanla, and Oba Erekasan, Cathedral and
Stadium areas. The study employed a cross sectional survey research design. Data were sourced
from both primary and secondary sources. Property owners were the source of primary data, and
123 structured questionnaires were used to elicit information about the determinants of land use
conversion from the property owners. Using Principal Components Analysis, it was discovered
that land scarcity accounted for 15.8% of the total variance while demand for commercial space
accounted for 10.84% of the total variance. The land use pattern of the core was majorly mixed
use, with commercial use dominating the landuse pattern. Furthermore, this study identified
thirteen (13) factors responsible for land use conversionin the core of Akure, which are family
problems, scarcity of land in the core, new developers pressure, size of the land, cost of land in
the core, city centre accessibility, access to other business, transportation availability, access to
good roads, uses in adjoining areas, property maintenance value, lack of financial resources,demands for shops, physical expansion of city, government urban renewal, availability of
electricity, crises of who to maintain property. Some policy implications of the study are
discussed. Finally, the study concludes by reiterating the necessity by town planners and other
stakeholders to consider factors which influence land use dynamics in the preparation of
developmental plans in Ondo State.
