Abstract:
The rapid expansion of cities in the 21st century has become a matter of great concern, especially regarding the uncontrolled growth of urban areas in developing countries, resulting in housing and infrastructure deficits. This study focuses on the phenomenon of unplanned development at the periphery of Minna’s cities in a third-world urbanization context, leading to unapproved land use and land cover changes.
The primary objective of this research is to evaluate urban sprawl and infrastructure conditions in peri-urban neighbourhoods of Minna. The study utilizes a combination of primary and secondary data sources, with quantitative data collected through structured questionnaires from 390 residences systematically sampled from four peri-urban neighbourhoods in Minna.
The findings of this study indicate that all the selected peri-urban neighbourhoods experienced significant levels of urban sprawl between 1990 and 2020. The research identified four major contributing factors to this growth, each with an Eigenvalue greater than one, and together they accounted for 50.897% cumulative variance. These factors are economic (17.874%), transportation (11.722%), housing preference (11.174%), and urbanization (10.128%).
Furthermore, the study assessed the infrastructure conditions in these peri-urban neighbourhoods and ranked them accordingly. Educational, telecommunications, and commercial infrastructures were ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, with mean scores ranging between 2.50 and 3.49. Water supply, access road, electricity supply, and health infrastructures were ranked 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th, respectively, with mean scores ranging between 1.50 and 2.49. Drainage and recreational facilities were ranked 8th and 9th, respectively, with mean scores between 1.00 and 1.49.
Based on the study’s findings, it is recommended that participatory planning approaches be adopted to manage the peri-urban areas effectively. Additionally, there is a need to invest in city-wide infrastructure development and improvement to accommodate the increasing growth in these neighbourhoods. Such measures are crucial for ensuring the sustainable development of peri-urban areas in Minna.
Examining Urban Expansion and Infrastructure Status in Peri-Urban Communities of Minna, Niger State. GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
