ASSESSMENT OF THE DETERMINANTS OF LAND USE CONVERSION IN THE CORE OF AKURE, ONDO STATE

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.