Achieving a Sustainable City Growth through Neighbourhood Level in Bosso, Minna, Niger State.

Abstract

The rapid rate of urbanization and the increase in population growth in Nigeria has been generating serious social, economic and environmental concern for both the government and concerned stakeholders. Part of these problems which include housing problems, traffic congestion overstretched and poorly maintained facilities, poor drainage systems etc are few of the problems plaguing most of the country’s urban centres. This has resulted in concerns about the sustainability of most Nigeria cities.This paper examines the importance of achieving sustainability first at neighbourhood levels by analysing the neighbourhood quality of Bosso estate. Secondary data was obtained from books, journals and seminar papers while primary data relating to building and environmental quality from Structured questionnaire was administered on a sample size of 300 household heads, from sampling frame of 740 units, as well as oral interview with relevant planning authority. The paper finds that neighbourhood are well recognised unit of urban hierarchy. Neighbourhoods make up the urban centres and have become undisputed centres of social and economic growth of any county. The overall sustainability of a city depends on its neighbourhood sustainability and so, to achieve a sustainable city, our neighbourhoods first have to be sustainable. In this way, neighbourhoods’ development can be approached as pilot projects. The paper concludes that sustainability of city growth and development can only be anchored on the sustainability of our neighbourhoods made possible by proper urban planning and also partly on government serious and committed political will.