World Journal of Engineering Research and Technology

*Visigah Kpobari Peter and Arch. Anthony Dornubari Enwin

ABSTRACT

Urbanization causes urban expansion, dramatically transforming peri-urban environments and societies. In this process, peripheral lands are consumed by an expanding city, exploiting the large rent gap between agricultural and urban land. On the basis of the aforementioned reason, understanding peri-urban settlement growth is key to helping city managers develop strategies to curb undesirable development trends around the city?s periphery, especially in the area of environmental quality. To these ends, this study explored the factors responsible for the rapid urbanisation and spread of the main city into these peri-urban settlements and the challenges that accompany them. It also examines the extent of land use change between 2004 and 2016 with the view to suggesting sustainable land management practices that can be employed to improve the environmental conditions of these peri-urban settlements. The research design used was the Concurrent Triangulation Multisite Mixed Methods Design. This approach involves time series analyses of maps and images over the course of the chosen period supported by field observations as well as an assessment of the ?environmental quality? from the chosen peri-urban settlements. Data analysis was based on responses from 172 questionnaires retrieved and the data were coded and analysed using SPSS 21 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Time series map analysis showed that built up coverage increased from 0.52km2 to 8.30km2 at Rumuekini and 1.19km2 to 6.1km2 at Ozuoba within the period under review. Secondly, rapid uncontrolled land use change was due to poor urban governance and ineffective land use controls. The study thus concludes with the following recommendations; the use of an integrated approach to land-use management that combines public participation, proper expert systems and GIS in state policies, enactment of the state land use policy, proper implementation of the Rivers State Physical Development Law no. 6 of 2003, and the declaration of these areas as planning areas/preparation of planning schemes for emerging settlements.

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