HOUSING CONDITIONS AND OCCUPANCY RATIO IN OKPOKO URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
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HOUSING CONDITIONS AND OCCUPANCY RATIO IN OKPOKO URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
CHAPITRE ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Urban renewal arose as a result of the Industrial Revolution, which caused urban degradation. Many variables can be ascribed to the nature of such degradation, which can be classed as personal, economic, and social aspects.
This degradation phenomena is more visible on structures and is characterised by acute scarcity, with demand always exceeding supply. As a result, there is cover congestion and a quick increase in rent levels.
As a result, the urban poor who cannot afford the rent of a respectable structure are compelled to live in shanty constructions, resulting in the growth of slums.
Other socioeconomic issues that contribute to urban decline include inadequate hygienic conditions, traffic congestion, and general deficiencies in social services such as water and power supplies, recreational facilities,
and health centres. According to Okeke D-C 2002, available facilities deteriorate quickly and decay sets in as a result of overuse, poor utilisation performance, a lack of maintenance, and other factors.
Urban renewal schemes have had a significant impact on the improvement of urban slums in many regions of the world (Anota, 1982). In its broadest sense, urban renewal is a type of reciperating change in the physical city in which worn-out or out-of-date structures and infrastructure in a region are replaced in response to economic and social changing pressures.
Chapin 1965, who agrees, sees urban revitalization as a process that has lasted for as long as cities have existed. Comprehensive clearance/redevelopment, rehabilitation, and conservation measures are all part of urban renewal initiatives. They can be used separately or in combination with one or two other criteria.
1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The truth is that each community is without its own set of issues. Towns and cities in Nigeria are plagued by numerous issues. Environmental destruction appears to be the norm of the day in Anambra State in general, and Okpoko layout in particular.
The neighbourhood is distinguished by low-quality houses, poorly maintained streets, inadequate drainage systems, and the absence or lack of public services and facilities.
One of the primary issues confronting this town is an inadequate road network. As a result of the road network problem, there are non-mechanized roads with passengers as well as numerous potholes. Such elements, when combined, result in a high pace of transportation and continual holdups.
The current administration of Anambra State is taking action to address this issue. Another important issue confronting Okpoko is a lack of basic infrastructure and social services.
For example, open space, which is a major facility in an urban environment, is not given; instead, the few places designated for open space are used as a waste dump.
The Anambra Environmental Protection Agency (ANSEPA) is now working hard to make Anambra State as a whole clean. Another important issue in the study region that will prove fatal is the housing situation. According to some criteria, housing conditions will be classified as good, fair, or poor.
1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What are the general building conditions in the study area?
What is the population structure and makeup of Okpoko?
What are the general circumstances of the study area’s infrastructure and social services?
What is the ratio of car ownership in the area?
What is the educational level and income level of Okpoko residents?
1.3 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this research is to investigate the general living conditions as well as assess the basic conditions of social services and infrastructure in Okpoko in order to make appropriate recommendations for renewal strategies/programs that will offer decent living conditions for the inhabitants. The following are the study’s objectives:
i. Addressing Okpoko’s housing shortage through renewal initiatives by providing more housing units for the study area’s residents.
ii. To investigate environmental conditions and improve them through renewal initiatives.
iii. To investigate the population structure of Okpoko residents.
1.3 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
This is drawn in respect to the goals. Thus:
H0: There is no significant association between the Okpoko resident population and the general state of basic social services and facilities.
HI: A considerable association exists between the population of Okpoko people and the general condition of Okpoko’s fundamental social services and facilities.
1.5 IMPORTANT VARIABLES
In testing the aforementioned hypothesis, the dependent variable “Y,” which is the state of fundamental social services and facilities, is reliant on the independent variable “X,” which is the study’s population characteristics.
1.6 JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY
The study is significant from the standpoint of planning since it analyses the causes of urban degradation and makes recommendations for its eradication or alleviation.
The study area, Okpoko in particular, is plagued by overcrowding, overuse of existing social services and community amenities, and obsolete and substandard buildings.
As a result, the justification for this study is to offer a compressive strategy to slum reduction and the establishment of an environment free of pollution, untidiness, and eyesores.
1.6 THE SIGNIFIANCE OF THE STUDY
A study on urban renewal for Onitsha, with a specific focus on Okpoko in Ogbanu Local Government Area, Anambra State, is critical for planning, academic, and developmental objectives. Such research can inform the government, students, lecturers, and researchers about what can be obtained in Okpoko.
Such a result might provide knowledge and education not only to the government, but also to urban and regional planners who could use the lesson and findings in their planning programmes.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This dissertation will be based on the housing conditions, transit network, basic social services, and infrastructural facilities available in Okpoko for the purposes of this project and the time frame.
1.8 OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
To acquire a thorough grasp of the job, many terminologies and/or professional jargons are frequently employed in research.
The definition of terms in this context becomes even more important when one considers that the readers of such publications may have a professional bent in their subjects. As a result, such terms necessitate special meanings in order to provide a clear meaning in the context in which they are used.
The phrases “urban,” “urban renewal,” “strategy,” “upgrading,” “blight,” “slum,” and “neighbourhood” have special meanings in this work. These are listed here to avoid confusion as you progress through the project.
URBAN
However, there is no consensus among specialists on the best definition of what comprises an urban area. However, a more concise definition of the term that suits our purposes here is that given by Mabogunje (1963).
Using the population index as a base, he defines a “urban” settlement as any compact settlement with a population of 20,000 or more, which must also have those other characteristics of an urban area such as large densely built up area, heterogeneity of population, specialisation of economic activities, and a large portion of population in non-agricultural pursuits.
URBAN REGENERATION
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, “renewal means to give new life and freshness.” According to the Chambers 20th Century Dictionary, renewal is a process of refurbishing, reviving, beginning anew, making again, repairing, regenerating, and so on.
combining the terms “urban” and “renewal” As a result, Grebler (1965) defines urban renewal as “a deliberate effort to change the environment through planned large-scale redevelopment of existing areas to meet present and future requirements for urban living and working.”
STRATEGY
The term “strategy” as employed here refers to a defined plan of action for resolving urban planning issues.
URGRADING
This term is used in this work to refer to improving the status, quality, and value of urban or city living situations.
BLIGHT
The term “blight” refers to the deteriorating conditions that have been renewed. It refers to the deterioration of a dwelling unit below an acceptable quality.
SLUM
According to the United States Housing Act of 1937, a slum is defined as an area where dwellings predominate that are detrimental to the safety, health, welfare, or morals of the people due to dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, poor sanitation conditions, or any combination of these factors.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
The term “neighbourhood” refers to a residential layout inside an urban context in which residents have common and convenient access to a variety of public services and facilities such as schools, parks, shopping centres, and so on.
Clearance Perry (1910) proposed the development layout of this notion, which he detailed in one of his writings. “A neighbourhood is a school district.”
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