Impact of Environmental Planning on Rural Development (a Case Study of Uli Local Government Area in Anambra State)
Chapter One
Objectives of the study
The objectives of this research include but not limited to;
- To evaluate the impact of environmental planning on rural development.
- To determine if environmental planning help in the development of rural communities.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter gives an insight into various studies conducted by outstanding researchers, as well as explained terminologies with regards to the impact of environmental planning on rural development in Uli Local Government of Anambra State, Nigeria. The chapter also gives a resume of the history and present status of the problem delineated by a concise review of previous studies into closely related problems.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Most developing countries in the humid tropics of the world of which Nigeria is one are currently facing a fundamental development dilemma with two crystal characteristics. The first of these characteristics concerns the mandatory quest by the authorities to provide the material needs of the population by exploiting the available environmental resources. In carrying out this essential primary activity, the resource regenerative capacity of the environment must not be over exploited and destroyed through mismanagement. There is no doubt that this challenge is more apparent in rural development as of today. Although rural development programs in their form and dimension share a multiplicity of objectives geared towards improving the living standards of the rural people, their physical operation involves the exploitation and utilization of both renewable and non-renewable resources. This leads to some irreversible transformation of the natural environment. In an attempt by the different physical development agencies to modernize the rural environment through the provision of beneficial infrastructural facilities to the rural people and to earn life-saving income through the extraction of natural resources, a huge price of environmental degradation may be paid (Okafor, 1988).
The second characteristic of the development dilemma places attention on the need to maintain a healthy balance between the relentless pursuit to increase the welfare of the people and the continuous preservation of rural environmental quality. This essential concern for environmental quality maintenance in the rural area is justified because in the process of rural development, the natural environment might be exploited beyond its available resource strength. Consequently, the natural rural environment would be exposed to various forms of degradation. The local, foreign and government development agencies which activities are haphazardly carried out on the rural environment are to blame in this regard. As of today in Nigeria, the issue of the environment, its resources, refinement, utilization, sustenance, and impact should constitute a fundamentally recurring theme in rural development because it is in the rural environment that the harmony between man and nature can be maintained. This vital harmony, in physical reality, diminishes in either the poorly built-up urban environment or its vastly degraded rural counterpart (Okafor, 1988; Okafor and Onokerhoraye, 1994).
Throughout the developing humid tropics of Africa and particularly in Nigeria, the rural areas are known as the authentic sources of important environmental resources which are routinely extracted, processed and utilized for different domestic and public purposes. These include vegetal, geomorphic, hydrological, atmospheric, and human resources.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
This chapter states the various methods used in research, as well as the population of the study, and sampling techniques used in determining the sample size for the research. How data was collected and analysed is also discussed in this chapter.
The main objectives of this research were achieved through quantitative methods, as inferential statistics were used to measure the level of accuracy and validate responses from the respondents in accordance to the objectives of the research.
STUDY AREA
Abuja, the capital of Nigeria was the study area for this research. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria’s capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos, though the latter remains the country’s most populous city. At the 2006 census, the city of Abuja had a population of 776,298, making it one of the ten most populous cities in Nigeria. Abuja has witnessed a huge influx of people into the city; the growth has led to the emergence of satellite towns such as Karu Urban Area, Suleja, Gwagwalada, Lugbe, Kuje and smaller settlements to which the planned city is sprawling. The unofficial metropolitan area of Abuja has a population of well over three million and comprises the fourth largest urban area in Nigeria, surpassed only by Lagos, Kano and Ibadan.
RESEARCH DESIGN
The research design used for this study was the descriptive research design. Since data characteristics were described using frequencies and percentages, and no manipulations of data or variables were necessary, the researcher chose this research design. The researcher discarded other alternatives such as the causal and explanatory research designs, because accurate findings and data analysis may not be achieved.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
The population for this study isresidents of UliAnambra state. The population figure for the study was 32 respondents.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
This chapter is devoted to the presentation, analysis and interpretation of the data gathered in the course of this study. The data are based on the number of copies of the questionnaire completed and returned by the respondents. The data are presented in tables and the analysis is done using the chi square test.
CHAPTER FIVE
FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The objectives of the study were to
- To evaluate the impact of environmental planning on rural development.
- To determine if environmental planning help in the development of rural communities.
Findings from the study revealed the following
- There is a significant impact of environmental planning on rural development.
- Environmental planning helps in the development of rural community.
- Environmental planning is essential for community development.
- Adequate environmental planning improves community development.
REFERENCES
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- Akinbode, A. (2005). Attainment of Food Security in Nigeria.Ekpoma: Dept of Geography and Regional Planning, Ambrose Alli University.
- Ayoade, J.O. (2004). Introduction to Climatology for the Tropics. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.
- Aziegbe, F.I. (2004). Essentials of Climatology and Biogeography. Benin City: Bobpeco Publishers. David, W. (1995). Geography: An Integrated Approach. Thames Surrey: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd.
- Ebisemiju, F.S. (1988). ‘Human Impact on Marine Processes in the Western Niger Delta’ In Sada, P.O. and Odemerho, F.O. (eds) Environmental Issues and Management in Nigerian Development. Ibadan: Evans Brothers Ltd.
- Food and Agricultural Organization (1984).Forest Destruction and Agriculture in Nigeria. Rome.
- Munn, R.E. (1975). Environmental Impact Assessment: Principles and Procedures. Toronto: Scope Report 5.