Towards ensuring sustainable urban growth and development in Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies

• Published in: Business management dynamics 2011-08, Vol.1 (2), p.99
• Main Authors: Ayedun, C A, Durodola, O D, Akinjare, O A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Environmental impact; Interest groups; Sustainability
• ISSN: 2047-7031

The accelerated rate of urbanization in all forms and the geometric population growth in Nigeria have been generating serious environmental problems and concern for both the government and interested stakeholders. Notably among which include problems of accommodation, over-stretched and poorly maintained facilities, roads, traffic congestion, undirected drainage systems, etc are few of the problems plaguing most of the country’s urban centres. It is the foregoing scenario that has necessitated the recent concern about the sustainability of our environment taking into consideration the increasing rate of environmental waste and degradation going on in the country. Despite the efforts of the various organizations and interest groups spear-heading campaigns for progressive changes in policies, laws, technologies and development strategies toward enhancing urban qualities, the achievement has been rather very low and minimal. This development has created great sustainable challenges for not only the government at various levels but also the stakeholders and other interest groups in the country especially in the area of human settlement and sustenance of the environment in the area of good transportation networks, potable water supply, sanitation, effective and efficient waste management, elimination of social conflict and crime. This paper examined the efforts of government at tackling the barrage of challenges hampering issue of sustaining urban growth phenomenon over the years through poverty reduction and economic empowerment strategies, good governance and enhanced urban development international partnership strategies. The paper concludes that sustainability of urban growth and development can only be anchored on government sincerity of purpose and committed political will in an atmosphere of peaceful democratic setting.