Urban development and governance in Nigeria: challenges, opportunities and policy direction

Abstract

U r b a n d e v elo p m e n t a n d g ov e r n a n c e in Ni g e ri a : c h all e n g e s, o p p o r t u ni ti e s a n d p olicy di r e c tio n Gy a u, KAB h t t p:// dx. doi.o r g/ 1 0. 3 8 2 8/i d pr. 2 0 1 8. 1Ti t l e U r b a n d e v elo p m e n t a n d g ov e r n a n c e in Ni g e ri a : c h all e n g e s , o p p o r t u ni ti e s a n d p olicy di r e c tio n A u t h o r s Gy a u, KAB Typ e Articl e U RL This ve r sio n is a v ail a bl e a t : h t t p:// u sir.s alfo r d. a c. u k/id/ e p ri n t/ 4 5 1 2 7/ P u b l i s h e d D a t e 2 0 1 8 U SIR is a di git al c oll e c tio n of t h e r e s e a r c h o u t p u t of t h e U niv e r si ty of S alfo r d. W h e r e c o py ri g h t p e r mi t s, full t e x t m a t e ri al h el d in t h e r e p o si to ry is m a d e fr e ely a v ail a bl e o nli n e a n d c a n b e r e a d , d o w nlo a d e d a n d c o pi e d fo r n o nc o m m e r ci al p riv a t e s t u dy o r r e s e a r c h p u r p o s e s . Pl e a s e c h e c k t h e m a n u s c ri p t fo r a n y fu r t h e r c o py ri g h t r e s t ri c tio n s. Fo r m o r e info r m a tio n, in cl u di n g o u r p olicy a n d s u b mi s sio n p r o c e d u r e , pl e a s e c o n t a c t t h e R e p o si to ry Te a m a t: u si r@ s alfo r d. a c. u k . Abstract Volumes of literature discourse illuminate several weaknesses of Nigeria's urban planning and governance system particularly in the face of rapid urbanisation, and rising levels of urban poverty and informality. However, these literature discourses often fail to situate the weaknesses within the context of opportunities presented by the system, and provide a clear policy direction. An in-depth understanding of the weaknesses of the system, and opportunities it presents especially for the on-going construction of massively scaled urban developments to meet demands of various urban actors and their impact is imperative for far reaching policy formulation and implementation. Based on an examination of the perspectives of key urban stakeholders solicited through semi-structured interviews in three Nigerian cities of Abuja, Minna and Enugu, this study provides insights into how the failings of the existing regime provide opportunities for the urban developmental landscape. The findings suggest that pluralistic forms of social steering in urban planning and governance have the potential to succeed. Nevertheless, Government input especially in the area of infrastructure provision is critical.

Urban planners’ perspectives of public participation in planning in Nigeria

“…The successive post-colonial administrations remain rooted in the original colonial planning and land administration provisions (Echendu 2019). The 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Act is the planning legislation currently in place (Awuah 2018;Omole and Akinbamijo 2012).…”

“…In a previous study by Awuah (2018) with community members on their participation in the planning process, the research participants had varying experiences of community participation in the urban planning processes. Some participants noted instances where planning authorities have involved communities or the private sector in planning while others had no knowledge or experience of such.…”

Unpacking the connections between transport and well-being in socially disadvantaged communities: Structural equations approach to low-income neighbourhoods in Nigeria

“…This dimension also incorporates relationships with the broader community and governance, key concerns for local development in socially deprived areas in the global south (Awuah, 2018;Beall, 2001). White's framework enables reflections around structural issues linked to transport.…”

Urban Planning — “It’s All About Sustainability”: Urban Planners’ Conceptualizations of Sustainable Development in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…In Nigeria several factors mitigate against adherence to master plans, for instance, political interference which manifests in actions like rezoning land to enable uses contrary to original purposes in master plan [50,51]. The nonadherence to master plans has meant that the development of many Nigerian cities like Port Harcourt have occurred without provision of key infrastructure that form the backbone of cities.…”

“…Control has many aspects including supervision, implementation of regulation, layouts, and infrastructure planning. Weaknesses in development control has led to violations of the rules and regulations in approved plans that ought to guide construction [50].…”