ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF URBAN GROWTH IN SULEJA BETWEEN 1987 AND 2014

Abstract

Cities in developing countries are often characterized by uncoordinated growth. Accompanying this growth are various problems which include traffic congestion, emergence of slum, flooding, uncollected solid waste and poor sanitation. These problems pose a critical challenge to cities in developing countries. Suleja which is one of the most urbanized local governments in Niger State and also proximate to Abuja the Federal Capital Territory is experiencing the identified problems.This study therefore examines the extent and implications of urban growth in Suleja between 1987 and 2014. Spatial analysis of the city for the period understudy (1987 - 2014) and implication of the growth on the residents and environment were determined.Primary and secondary data as well as Geospatial techniques were used for the study.Two sets of satellite imageries were used for the study that is,Thematic Mapper for 1987 and Enhance Thematic Mapper for 1997, 2007 and 2014. The findings of the geo-spatial analysis were corroborated with the findings of the primary and secondary data sources.The analysis reveals that Built-up area in Suleja increased from 10.91km 2 in 1987 to 46.25km 2 in 2014. While the 35% of the building plans submitted for approval to Niger State Urban Development board, Suleja are approved annually. The study also revealed that the pollution level of Suleja which was consequential to the increase in growth recorded a high value of 15.97 ppm for CO, 0.67 ppm for NO 2 and 1.33 ppm for SO 4 .The study recommends that the planning and management of Suleja should be based on inclusive planning approach more so, infrastructure should be systematically expanded at a rate equal to the rate of the urban growth in Suleja.