IMPROVEMENT OF A DETERIORATED RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD; A CASE STUDY OF A RENEWAL SCHEME OF IKIRIKE IN ENUGU METROPOLIS.

Abstract

The deterioration in nature of the environment and the social, economic and physical condition in slum settlement require public attention towards improving the area so as to avoid unhealthy conditions and other socio-physical problems which are common to slums in Nigeria. This paper proposes a renewal scheme that is expected to transform the deteriorated Ikirike neighborhood of Enugu urban in Enugu state of Nigeria. The paper examined the three basic renewal strategies namely: comprehensive redevelopment, rehabilitation, and conservation and offer evaluation of the social impacts, comprehensive redevelopment strategy was chosen as a solution to the deteriorated study area. Also, the phasing of the implementation strategy of the scheme done to reduce the anticipated negative effects on the populace was also addressed in this paper. The paper concludes that if the renewal scheme is properly implemented, it would not only help to decongest the already over populated city of Enugu but will uplift the socio-economic status of the people as well as make the neighborhood environment more habitable.