Parks Provision and Management in Urban Areas on Nigeria: The Example of Akure, Ondo State

Abstract

This paper examined the availability and management of parks in urban spaces in developing societies utilising the situation in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria as a case study. It identified and discussed the challenges associated with parks development and maintenance in the study area and suggested how to improve the prevailing situation. The paper draws extensively from a systematic survey and examination of the existing parks in the city. In-depth interviews were conducted with selected individuals and professionals in built environment on the availability, use and management of parks in the city. Officials of government Ministries and Agencies such as Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Environment, Ondo State Development and Property Corporation and Akure South Local Government were also interviewed to obtain essential information. The perception of the city dwellers on the management of the parks were sought through the use of 800 questionnaires which were administered purposively on users. The study found low patronage of parks in the study area and that conscious efforts have not been made in recent times to create parks as part of urban amenity in the city. Besides, the traditional parks and those created by colonial government have been encroached upon and in some cases converted to other uses. Moreover the few ones were not effectively managed repaired and maintained and have fallen to a states of obsolescence. There is therefore gross inadequacy of parks in the city which the paper argued has denied urban dwellers access to quality recreational facilities and has therefore reduced the liveability of the city. There is a need for the creation of an agency that will take on development and maintenance of parks in the city.

Keywords: Built environment, Urban parks, Parks development, Parks maintenance