The Ecological Consequences of Conversion of Agricultural Lands into Housing Estates in the Subequatorial Regions of Nigeria: the Ikot Nkebre Episode in Calabar

Abstract

In the course of the 20^th century, the theatre of intensive urbanization shifted from the Global North to the Global South. At the beginning of that century there was yet no megacity in the world; the most highly populated city at the time (London) had a population of 6.5 million people. Not even one of the world’s ten largest cities belonged to the Global South. By the end of the century, six of the world’s ten largest cities (all megacities) were located in the Global South. In order to keep pace with these phenomenal rates of rapid urbanization cities have been labouring under unprecedented scenarios of urban growth; culminating in urban encroachment on peri-urban forestlands or farmlands. In this study this situation has been investigated at Ikot Nkebre (in the peri-urban districts of Calabar, Nigeria), where a whole farming settlement has been converted into an urban housing district in less than one decade. The study has shown the two unpleasant ecological consequences: urban poverty and inappropriate management of stormwaters. In conclusion it has been shown that with correct management of the situation, significant ecological assets could have been derived out of these scenarios.

Keywords: agricultural lands, ecological consequences, urban growth