Upshot of Sprawl Incidence on Pattern of Land Use Changes and Building Physiognomies in Akure Region, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the upshot of sprawl incidence on pattern of land use changes and building physiognomies in Akure and its environs. Using social survey research method (SSRM) to investigate the upshot, data were gathered via structured questionnaires on selected households in the region, involving Akure municipal and eight contiguous communities. Basically, the survey method involves interview, personal observation and photo-snaps to elucidate existing situation in the region. Average households’ population in Akure municipal was estimated at 95,232 while 14,794 was estimated in the selected eight contiguous communities. From this, a sample of 1% was systematically selected, which amounted to 1100 sampled households. Findings show regular massive inflow of people into the city due to unguided expansions that have serious sway on land use determinant in the city and its contiguous communities. It also has significant influence on variation in building arrangements and facility distribution across the region. To mitigate this, the study advocates proactive efforts of stakeholders in urban management to employing inventive measures over private and public lands in logical manners. It also suggests the espousal of regional development programs to checkmate the rate of peoples’ incursion into Akure, being the state capital. Local government headquarters and other major towns in the region should be reinforced with functional basic facilities to curtail the excessive influx into the city.