RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THE EFFECT OF ARTERIAL ROADS ON ECONOMIC AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN AKURE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of arterial roads on economic and physical development in Akure, Nigeria. Transportation and properties are important in physical and economic development of towns and cities all over the world. The broad objectives of this study are to identify the arterial road network pattern in the city, the effects on physical and economic development; assess the spatial location of business outfits along the routes. The research methods include in-depth fieldwork, observation, questionnaire administration, interviews, collation and processing of field data. The research instrument was the questionnaire administered with the aid of systematic sampling technique. Three hundred and seventy one (371) copies of the questionnaire were administered on the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data collected for the study. The result of the study revealed that majority of the respondents believed that the arterial road has resulted to increase in commercial activities along the corridors. Also the finding reveals that at nodal points there is very high level of connectivity and easy movement of people and goods. Hence, rate of business transaction is high since there is more awareness of such goods and services at these locations. It was also noted that a lot of the residents in the town were engaged in different types of businesses because of the road corridors. It is believed that good road network will attract high labour intensive service industry and hence a valuable source of employment. Researches show that buildings were transformed from old and dilapidated structures to modern ones and most of the respondents opined that buildings were transformed for trading purposes. Findings reveal that the initial occupants have no alternative than to relocate to the peripheral areas of the town while the city core are now majorly owned by people from other tribes. The research recommends planning standards, building codes and government giving top priority to construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of arterial roads.