Development Control: A Strategy For Flood Vulnerability Assessment In Suleja

Abstract

Urban centres in developing countries are experiencing rapid urbanization. This is often associated with lots of problems which range from improper waste management, building contraventions, non-adherence to building standards, pollution, overcrowding and flooding. In curtailing these problems, development control tools are frequently used. Against this background, the effectiveness of development control tools was used to assess flood vulnerability in Suleja, Local Government Area of Niger state. In achieving the aim of this study, buildings vulnerable to flooding were identified; factors influencing flood vulnerability and the implication of non adherence to development control measures were also examined. The theory of urban resilience forms the basis for this study. Primary and secondary sources of data were used for this study. A total of 278 questionnaires were administered using multi-stage sampling techniques. A quick bird image of 15meter resolution was used to map out the vulnerable and contravening buildings in Suleja using a 15 meter setback from the river banks. The study reveals that 799 buildings contravened building standard in Suleja, while indiscriminate solid waste disposal was found as a strong factor influencing flood vulnerability in Suleja. The study also revealed that 47% of the drainages in Suleja are blocked with solid waste. The study recommends that solid waste in Suleja should be collected promptly and development control mechanisms should strictly be enforced by the Niger State Urban Development Board, Suleja.