Analysis Of Temporal Landuse Change And Resident Perception of Physical Development Effect In Minna

Abstract

Most populace in Niger State, Nigeria want to stay in Minna, the State capital because of the benefits derivable from it. The increase in the number of people coming into Minna has brought about an increase in the demand and the supply of the urban physical development in the study area. The persistence supply of this urban development without proper planning has brought about significance changes in the land use of the study area. This study is aimed at examining the temporal change in landuse and the perception of the people of the study area. The data used were sourced through primary and secondary sources, the primary data were gotten from the people of the study area through the use of questionnaire. The data were analysed using a five point likert scale and the secondary data were analysed using image processing techniques. The results revealed that built up areas were evenly increasing in the study area with 1989 to 1999 experiencing the highest number of built up, vegetation, mashed land, water bodies and rocky area experienced one reduction or the other. This implies that the increase in built up and reduction in vegetation has brought about a significant increase in the temperature of the area thereby affecting water bodies. The study further revealed that the people of the study area are also engaged in quarrying. The questionnaire administered revealed that religious belief, sighting of educational facilities, presence of more white collar jobs and nearness of the study area to FCT, investment incentives, advanced technology and better wages are responsible for urban physical development. The study further revealed that increasing urban development without control has brought about inadequate educational facilities , slum, poorly managed waste generated, hideouts for criminals, traffic jam, inadequate social amenities and higher standard of living compared to its surroundings. The study hereby recommends that public awareness on the danger of uncontrolled physical development must be a recurring routine and proper punishment should be meted out to violators of physical development act so as to discourage those that do not want to comply.