An Assessment of the Changing Phases of Minna City-Centre

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the changes of Minna city centre with the view to developing a structured guideline and principles for the development and management of city centre. Secondary data for this study was based on the past records from the government agencies and related literatures, while the primary data were collected via the use of questionnaire from the residents and occupiers of space for other functions rather than residential purposes at the Central Business District (CBD) of Minna and the observation of phenomenon in urban development. The study however revealed the fact that there have been changes in the phase of the core area of the city of Minna, which has resulted in the elimination of open spaces and conversion of buildings from residential to commercial. However, the dual uses of building are more predominant and have made the property highly competitive at the CBD; this is due to the economic structure of the central area. The shortcoming in the capacity for the management however allays the truth that the goverent does not possess any principles or guideline in managing and controlling the development of the city centre. The study therefore agreed on the principles and guideline for managing the development of Minna city centre which have in focus among other things the understanding of the necessity of developing vision on how the city centre must look like; targeting an urban area with spaces for pedestrian, street lighting, well landscape environment, good streetscape design.