The Northern Region of Nigeria, which is located south of Africa biggest desert - the Sahara, is highly vulnerable to  adverse impacts of climate change for some reasons. This paper attempts to review the variance between urban greenery, urban development and the quest for environmental sustainability. A critical review of relevant materials related to the study was carried out. The quantitative nature of the study was backed empirically. Findings from the study reveal that physical development plans for some urban areas have been very ad-hoc and loosely defined. Allocation of open green spaces is not in harmony with the urban population and it mostly characterized by a low percentage. Abuja master plan, for instance, has the highest allocation of 32.87%, while allocation in other master plans fall below 30% with Suleja master plan counts 2.5% only. Outdated master plan and the lack of will power from urban authority in plan implementation has often resulted in the distortion, encroachment, and conversion of green areas to other land uses. Increase carbon emission and pollution especially from the transport sector has been marked by a decline in greenery. Therefore, reducing the sequestration capacity of the urban area, weak urban planning and harsh climatic condition could be regarded as critical challenges. This study suggests the strict adherent to sustainable urban planning that integrates physical development and environmental consideration to enhance greenery. The study also recommends the placement of urban greenery on the same platform with the urban grey infrastructure by urban stakeholders.

A B S T R A C T

The challenges associated with integrating technology to achieve an efficient sustainability in environmental planning, and management has been the utmost concern of the researchers and professionals in built environment globally.  This has  equally  been a major issue among the environmentalists and allied professionals  in developing countries such as Nigeria. Consequently, this paper  relied on  extensive literature search through published books, journals, and periodicals.  It  critically explores the influencing role plays by science and technology in a sustainable environment integrated with appropriate open space planning and management. It identified and discussed the strategic imperatives for sustainable development, and recommends the need for the government of developing countries to initiate an effective policy formulation with follow-up in this regard. In view of this, desirous efforts will be geared towards matching up with open space planning and managements, as already been practised in the developed countries.

This study analyses the spatial pattern of Kaduna City in Sub-Saharan region and its vicinity to ascertain its influence on urban interaction and implications towards carbon emission. It employed a questionnaire-based research for the collection of socio-economic, traffic and spatial data. Meanwhile, spatial data was derived in secondary form from relevant organizations. The study reveals a steady increase in the built-up areas which covered 17,121 hectares representing 53% of the total area of the city. It also identified a mono-centric land use pattern for the city. The interconnection between the city centre and the residential areas has resulted in high traffic volume during the morning and evening peak hours on working days. The study also found that carbon emission at points along major routes in the city ranges between 1169 to1884 ppm. Considering the present performance of the city, the study suggests to adopt traditional red-ocean strategies, which are maximizing the carbon sequestration through optimizing urban ecology while minimizing the need for motorized transport using urban planning principles.

This study analyses the spatial pattern of Kaduna City in Sub-Saharan region and its vicinity to ascertain its influence on urban interaction and implications towards carbon emission. It employed a questionnaire-based research for the collection of socio-economic, traffic and spatial data. Meanwhile, spatial data was derived in secondary form from relevant organizations. The study reveals a steady increase in the built-up areas which covered 17,121 hectares representing 53% of the total area of the city. It also identified a mono-centric land use pattern for the city. The interconnection between the city centre and the residential areas has resulted in high traffic volume during the morning and evening peak hours on working days. The study also found that carbon emission at points along major routes in the city ranges between 1169 to1884 ppm. Considering the present performance of the city, the study suggests to adopt traditional red-ocean strategies, which are maximizing the carbon sequestration through optimizing urban ecology while minimizing the need for motorized transport using urban planning principles.