The Impact of Urban Renewal on Quality of Life (QOL) in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focuses on the impact of urban renewal on quality of life (QOF) in Calabar, Nigeria. The cardinal objectives of the study include, to assess the impact of urban renewal programme on the quality of life of the residents of Calabar; and to examine the effect of urban renewal on infrastructural development in the study area. The study adopted the survey method and the following types of data were collected: data on the various components of urban renewal such as rehabilitation, expansion, dualization of roads, construction of round-abouts and flyovers, planting of ornamental trees, flowers as well as data on aspects of quality of life such as mode of transport, likeness of residential neighbourhood, and so on. The findings show that a number of urban renewal projects have been undertaken. For example the planting of about 1588 different tree stands, rehabilitation of a total 215.39 kilometers of roads, and the mounting of about 377 electric poles along the major streets of Calabar. The study has also shown that urban renewal has positively impacted on the mode of transport of urban residents, people now prefer or like their residential neighbourhood, potable water supply is now available in most parts of the metropolis, while the waste disposal/management system is more efficient. The study recommends the need of government to raise the income of residents, the adoption of a participatorial approach, and the need to formalize an efficient and durable legislative framework for all urban renewal programmes in the State.

Keywords:Urban renewal, quality of life, urban decay