The Impact of Population Growth on Residential Landuse in Calabar, Cross River State

Abstract

This study examined the impact of population growth on residential landuse in Calabar, Cross River State. The major research problems which elicited interest on this study include the increasing densification of houses in the study area, increase in the cost of a plot of land, astronomical increase in house rents and increase in overcrowding index. The main objectives of the study include to examine the consequences of population growth on urban residential landuse in Calabar, and to examine the rate of increase in the value of land in the study area. One hypothesis, namely, there is no significant relationship between population growth and the cost of urban residential land. Data for the study were collected from the National Population Commission, the Cross River State Ministry of Lands and Housing, and the Town Planning Department. The results confirm a strong correlation between population growth and cost of land at the city centre and at the periphery. Furthermore, the study has shown that between 1999 and 2009, the proportion of land used for residential purposes increased by about 61.3 percent. The work concludes by recommending that Government, through the Town Planning Department, should be meticulous in land allocation, registration of building plans, and be involved in strict supervision when houses are being built.

Keywords:Population Growth, Land rent, urban residential landuse, Overcrowding