Implications of Urban and Regional Planning Laws on Urban Renewal Projects in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

The growth, development and sustenance of urban area in Nigeria rely largely on various urban renewal projects executed by the State through both public and private institutions. Such projects serve as catalyst for improving the physical look of the environment and more importantly for sustenance of human survival. In order to achieve an orderly environment that is devoid of environmental hazards, it is most importantly to ensure that urban renewal projects are carried out in accordance with laid out planning laws existing in the Country. The focus of this paper is on the implications of urban and regional planning laws on urban renewal projects carried out in Akure between 2007 and 2012. These projects spread across various parts of the town and each of the projects was identified to assess their compliance with the regulations. It was discovered that despite the agitation for the implementation of urban and regional planning laws in the state, the level of adherence to planning standards and regulations is very low in urban renewal projects, particularly in existing projects that were upgraded. Suggestion was made that if planning legislations were followed in implementing urban renewal projects, it will ensure dignity and remove the intrigues attract to implementing urban and regional planning programmes and it will also go a long way in ensuring sustainability of every urban renewal projects in Akure and Nigeria as a whole.

Keywords: Planning Laws, Urban Renewal, Planning Regulations, Urban Renewal Projects