CONCEPTUALISING SUSTAINABLE FUTURE LANDSCAPES: a Case Study with Communities of the Oil and Gas Exploration Region Nigeria
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CONCEPTUALISING SUSTAINABLE FUTURE LANDSCAPES: A case study with communities of the oil and gas exploration Region Nigeria In fulfilment of the requirements for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Maimuna Lami Saleh-Bala Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences School of Architecture Planning and Landscape Newcastle University July 2017 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to the memory of my late father, Alhaji Abdu Ali (1942-1995). Who had desired this PhD. but did not live long enough to witness it come true. May Allah grant him Al Jannatul Firdaus. ii Abstract The Federal government of Nigeria has undertaken social intervention programmes in the oil and gas exploration Region since 1960 producing an average of one programme each decade to address the underdevelopment of the Region. This underdevelopment appears to be as a result of the devastating effects of the oil spills and gas flaring in the Region. This has affected community wellbeing and connection with the landscape as over 94% are small communities in rural landscapes. The result is loss of livelihood, social disintegration and disruption of economic activities locally and nationally. The most recent government intervention programme is the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan (NDRDMP) of 2006 with the goal of sustainable development of the Region. This thesis therefore aligns with the argument that spatial planning is the critical sector to examine, as the problem of the Niger Delta Region is presently predominantly that of landscape degradation. Landscape planning is essential in planning for sustainability; to improve the quality of the environment at the community level it aspires for quality environments. But what vision should guide landscape planning and the future landscape change of the Region? A review of the relevant literature indicates that emerging theories view the landscape as a holistic representation of the interaction between human and natural processes and a need for transdisciplinary planning. The thesis supports this view and argues for creating a future landscape vision with the communities who live and work the landscape of the Region. Hence an empirical study of types of communities that define the Region was conducted. Using an interpretivist theoretical perspective and guided by questions posed by the Carl Steinitz Framework Model of 1990 (revised 1995; 2012) a case study approach and a variety of data collection tools appropriate to demographic groupings were employed. The findings provided insights from an analysis of the narratives of different demographic groups on the community landscape representations. Four landscape types were identified as well as various political and economic impacts on the landscape. Oil and gas exploration activities were seen not always to be the direct driver of the cultural landscape changes. The thesis demonstrated that engaging the community can help to identify the different drivers of landscape change relating to each landscape type examined. It also outlined possible change drivers for future landscapes. An implication for landscape planning is the importance in considering how future landscapes can be effectively conceptualised in a situation where the community landscapes are predominantly small and in rural settings. iii Acknowledgements I cannot find words to adequately express the depth of my appreciation for the invaluable support, critique and guidance from my two supervisors, Ms. Maggie Roe and Dr. Ian Thompson. I am lucky to have been taught by them at the Masters level in1995 and to be supervised by them at the PhD level. They were always there at every point. I had numerous challenges but they successful eased the path through quality supervision and guidance. I also appreciate Dr. Suzanne Speak for her useful and critical comments during my progression on e-portfolio. I wish to acknowledge the former Dean HASS, Prof Neill Marshall and the DVC Professor Suzanne Cholerton for their role in ensuring I went for my fieldwork after easing out all controversies. I acknowledge all APL staff and in particular Prof. Patsy Healey for her useful comments at one of my seminars. I kept those comments as check list throughout my study. My immense appreciation to the Post Graduate School Secretary, Mrs Marian Kyte whose door is always open for our myriads of challenges. The journey to the membership of the gold standard British Doctorate presented a unique set of challenges however I received support, assistance and guidance from so many people, in ways too numerous to elaborate here. However, I wish to acknowledge my mother Hajia Ladi Aliyu as well as guardians and Families. They are Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Late Mallam Muhtari Bello and Late Alhaji Yusuf Aboki for the best of support possible by fathers, and to these great women who have been mothers to me, Hajia Raula Ladi Abdullahi, Hajia Zainab Bello, late Hajia Magajiya Aboki and late Hajia Umma Amina Abdullahi. I thank most sincerely all the Abdu Alis and Ango Abdullahis, particularly, Ali Abdu Ali, Sanusi Abdu Ali and Asma’u Ango. I am also privileged to have other ‘families’ away from home here in Newcastle who I wish to appreciate. These are; the Dr. Jamil Yusha’us, the Dr. Bawas, the Dr. Garkuwas, the Dr. Akintomides, the Dr. Salaudeens, the Dr. Mukhtar Ahmeds and Dr. Shuaibu Dambattas, others are Mrs Muhammadia Siddiq, Sarah Hassen, Ayesha Debbie, Enny Sukana and Muntaz Begum. I will always remember the roles played by PTDF Scholars Forum, ISOC Newcastle, IDC Northeast and NMFUK Newcastle in providing motivation and supports, organising both religious and social events. My appreciation to Late Dr. Sani Makarfi, Brother Badrudeen Saulawa and Michael Henderson. I extend my unreserved appreciation to various groups and individuals during my fieldwork. They include then Minister of State for the Niger Delta Affairs Hon. Arc Darius Ishyaku, Obong Arc John and Dr. Mrs Eno Nyong, Obong E.C.D and Mrs Abia. My hosts the family iv of Capt. Bala and Olivia Thompson as well as others such as Mrs A. H. Iheanacho, Mr. and Mrs Bilfred Effiong, the management and students of Pegasus School Eket. My acknowledgement and appreciation to the Paramount Ruler Ibeno and his council of chiefs as well as the women group chieftaincy title holders Eket, the wives of village chiefs Eket- Udua clans, my fieldwork support team of Fabian Kunun, Okon and Ikenna Offor. The security for the fieldwork was arranged for by the Nigeria Armed Forces and I acknowledge with appreciation, the special roles played by Brig. General SD Bala (Rtd), General OF Azinta, General Mohammed and Col. MA Abdullahi and Col AS Abdullahi. I thank the body of truly global post graduate research students in APL and beyond. My interactions with them have been invaluable. I would like to say a big thank you especially to Dr Mohammed Alhaji, Dr Mehshad Radmehr, Dr. Olufemi Olajide, Dr. Toyin Akin, Dr. Pattamon Selanon, Dr Ni Agusinta Dewi, Dr Felix Ogele, Dr. Amira Hassenein, My pals Dr Nor Chiahemba, Charles Makun, Dhruv Sookhoo. Sarah Cahyidini, Goran Erfani, Dr Brian Peel, Dr Jenny Crawford and Maryam Kashia Garba. Most importantly I acknowledge with deep appreciation, my sponsors the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Nigeria and especially thank the following for their important roles in getting me over here for the PhD as well as during my sojourn here; Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, Alhaji Lawal Samaila Yakawada, Alhaji Iro Danfoluti, Col UF Ahmed (RtD) and Hajia Amina Mohammed. I feel deeply indebted to my ‘clan’ for unconditional love. These are my three sons Amir, Buhari and Habib, my God-daughters Habiba Halilu and Kalthuma Muhammad and my God-granddaughter Maryam Farhana Dambatta for their unflinching support, spurring me on and believing I can make it. To them I say ‘I did it’! Thank you my ‘bestos’ Amina Umar, Hauwa Sani, Safiya Mohammed, Halima Hamid, Furera Isma Jumare, Umma Mohammed- Ali and Lubnah Imam. Umma Aboki, you were great with the boys, thank you. I acknowledge my External Examiner Prof Ingrid Sarlov Herlin for enjoying this thesis and presenting additional perspective to the study. I highly appreciate my internal examiner Dr. Cat Button who detailed out the revisions to ‘polish the thesis and make content justice’. I appreciate the HOD Dr AS Salisu, Dr Ruqqayah Tukur, Dr Amina Batagarawa as well as all staff of the Department of Architecture and those of the Landscape Architecture Program of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. And in conclusion I say, ‘Subhanallahi wabihamdihi Subhanallahi Azim’ in gratitude to the Almighty Allah. v Table of Contents CONCEPTUALISING SUSTAINABLE FUTURE ...................................................................... i LANDSCAPES: .................................................................................................................. i A case study with communities of the oil and gas exploration Region Nigeria ......................... i Dedication ........................................................................................................................................ ii Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... vi List