City Morphology and Effective Control Mechanisms: Towards Land Use Optimization and Sustainable Development: a Case Study of Lagos Mega City
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CITY MORPHOLOGY AND EFFECTIVE CONTROL MECHANISMS: TOWARDS LAND USE OPTIMIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS MEGA CITY By Agamah, Franca Unekwu 211560773 A Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (SOBEDS), Disciplines of Architecture, Planning and Housing, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. August 2018 CITY MORPHOLOGY AND EFFECTIVE CONTROL MECHANISMS: TOWARDS LAND USE OPTIMIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS MEGA CITY Agamah, Franca Unekwu B. Tech URP; MGIS; M.Sc URP Supervisor Professor Emeritus Ambrose A. Adebayo August 2018 ii ABSTRACT Rapid urban growth and resultant modifications to the environment have significantly changed urban morphologies. Given the rapid growth of metropolitan Lagos and its constrained access to land, spontaneous, muddled patterns of development have resulted in unsustainable development with varying consequences for the environment and its inhabitants. These have implications for carrying capacity, aesthetics, resources and urban liveability and call for policy formulation and measures to plan and control development patterns. The hypothesis of the study was underpinned on the argument that land utilization and control of urban spatial growth are functions of adequate planning and effective frameworks in achieving sustainable development. The study provides a framework for assessing urban structure and morphology with a rationale for planning sustainable cities. It reviews the dynamics of urban growth and its complexities alongside planning and design methods and approaches. The study notes that different elements of cities respond to various stimuli that should be taken into account in seeking to achieve sustainable development. Lagos mega city’s policies and spatial development strategies have, unfortunately, not done so. Guided by critical and pragmatic theory, the study employed triangulated mixed methods to assess the morphology and temporal growth of Lagos mega city and the factors that influence it; it examined urban planning frameworks, policies and control mechanisms; implementation, enforcement and compliance. Three study areas (Lagos Island, Apapa and Victoria Island) were purposively selected as case studies and data were collected through onsite surveys and observation; interviews with planners and the administration of questionnaires to property owners. The findings show that the metropolis is characterized by poor land utilization and ineffective control of urban development which is constrained due to surrounding water bodies and burdened by rapid population growth. The hypotheses tested using the T-Test statistic indicate that while poor land utilization and uncontrolled urban spatial growth are not exclusively a function of poor planning and ineffective frameworks, changing city functions and urban growth have implications for land use that require forward planning. The study therefore developed the Land Use Optimization and Effective Control Model that encapsulates approaches, process and factors towards compact, mixed-use development for a sustainable urban form. The model will guide planning agencies and development plans to align with the objectives of sustainability. iii DECLARATION- PLAGIARISM I, Franca Unekwu Agamah declare that, (i) The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original work. (ii) This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. (iii) This thesis does not contain other persons’ data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. (iv) This thesis does not contain other persons’ writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: a) Their words have been re‐written, but the general information attributed to them has been referenced; b) Where their exact words have been used, their writing has been placed inside quotation marks, and referenced. (v) Where I have reproduced a publication of which I am author, co‐author or editor, I have indicated in detail which part of the publication was actually written by myself alone and have fully referenced such publications. (vi) This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the References sections. ……………………………………. ……………………………… AGAMAH, FRANCA UNEKWU Date B. Tech URP; MGIS, M.Sc. URP Ph.D. Candidate No: 211560773 iv DEDICATION I dedicate this project to my late Father and Aunt, Mr. Peter Sule Idachaba and Miss Eke Victoria Idachaba; they laid the foundation on which I am building. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to acknowledge firstly my Supervisor, Professor Ambrose A. Adebayo for his diligent guidance, motivation and numerous lecture sessions from whom I have learnt so much. Dr. Rosemary Awuor-Hayangah and Dr. Pauline Adebayo, thank you for your motivation, hospitality and inspiration. My gratitude also goes to the Management of Yaba College of Technology, the Rector, Deputy Rectors, and Registry; Dean, School of Environmental Studies and Head, Department of Urban Planning for the opportunity to undertake this study. Thanks to Dr. Bashir Adamu, Messrs Owolabi A. D and Adeleke Akinpelu for their support. I also acknowledge my colleagues, Omolabi; Aledare; Oke; Olayiwola; Okesoto; Ojo-Fajuru; Oladipupo and Mrs. Mafimidiwo, the past years have been eventful, and it was easier with you in the same lane. I appreciate my family for their unconditional support, love and prayers; my mother, Mrs. L.R Idachaba who moved in to care for my children, becoming a mother to toddlers again after 35 years. My gratitude goes to Professor and Mrs. J.N. Egila and Pastor and Pastor Mrs. Yemi-Lebi for their encouragement and prayers. Pastor and Pastor Mrs. Gabriel Adejimi; the RCCG Chapel of Praise family; thank you for your warm reception and fellowship during my stay in South Africa. Most of all, my appreciation to my loving husband who shouldered my responsibilities alongside his while I was away and for granting me consent to study. To my loving children, Iko-Ojo, Chubiyo-Ojo, Uredo-Ojo and Ojochonu for giving me the time to study; thoughts of you propelled me to the finish line. I love you all. Finally, I give thanks to the Almighty God who makes all things possible. He made ways even where there seems to be no way, for holding my hands in the dark and ensuring that I did not fall by the way. He made all things possible and for showing once more, He does have good plans for me, which cannot be fathomed. Thank You. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ iii DECLARATION- PLAGIARISM ........................................................................................ iv DEDICATION.......................................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. xii LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................. xiv LIST OF PLATES ............................................................................................................... xvii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................................. xix DEFINITION OF WORDS ................................................................................................... xx CHAPTER ONE ...................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION OF STUDY .............................................................................................. 1 1.0 Background Information ............................................................................................. 1 1.1 Approaches of Morphological Studies ........................................................................ 2 1.2 Problem statement ....................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Key question ................................................................................................................ 7 1.3.1 Sub-questions ....................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Aim ............................................................................................................................. 7 1.4.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................ 7 1.4.2 Hypothesis one ..................................................................................................... 8 1.4.3 Hypothesis two..................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Justification for the study/ possible outcome .............................................................