Towards a Sustainable City Environment: Resolving the Challenge of Flooding in a Growing Tropical City in Osun State, Nigeria- A Review

Abstract

A major sustainable development goal (SDG) is the attainment of desirable living in cities. However, one serious environmental problem confronting Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria is flooding. Consequently, a critical review of literature was done to ascertain causes and establish remediation strategies for achieving a virile and sustainable city now and in no distant future. Causes of flood disaster include heavy rainfall, poor urban planning, indiscriminate refuse dumps, sedimentation of stream and reservoir beds, lackadaisical attitude towards expert warnings and forecasts among others. The effects range from farmland destructions, community displacement, destruction of public utilities and loss of lives. The accompanying disaster often led to unplanned and unprecedented expenditure by governments at different levels in an effort to alleviate negative impacts on those affected; repair and rebuilding of damaged infrastructures etc. Current growth and anticipated development of Iwo township demand efforts of all stakeholders to put in place reliable policies, projects and programmes that will lessen flood disaster for sustainability. It is expected that all stakeholders would work towards mitigating the occurrence of the flood disaster by enacting relevant legislation; proactive and mitigating measures to prevent the disaster; timely provision of adequate and relevant data/information; adherence to modern town planning rules and expert warnings in order to achieve sustainable living in cities.