SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY: GUIDELINES FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND PRACTICE IN ABUJA CITY, NIGERIA SEGUN ADEOLA OGUNSOLA A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Nottingham Trent University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. December 2016. i COPYRIGHT STATEMENT This thesis is the intellectual property right of the author. Due acknowledgement must always be made to the author in the re-use of any material contained in, or derived from this thesis. This is in accordance with the terms of The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Further reproduction of this work in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. DECLARATION This thesis is submitted under the Nottingham Trent University rules and regulations for the award of a PhD degree by research. I declare that this project or any has not previously been submitted in part or in whole as paperwork for a degree at any other University. I confirm that the intellectual contents of the work are the results of my efforts, and thoughts which have been taken from other persons are marked and identified by reference. Signature…………………………………. Date………………………………………. ii ABSTRACT This thesis presents an explorative study of sustainable urban development practice in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja. The attainment of sustainable development has been a focal point for urban planning researchers and policy makers globally. Despite the Brundtland Commission’s report that defined and integrated the pillars of sustainability, the implementation of sustainable urban planning remains a challenge with conflicting perspectives between sustainable development stakeholders through policy programme and practice in developed and developing countries. This research explores the sustainability of Abuja’s urban development framework from the triple bottom-line perspective, evaluating current urban planning and experience from both policy and occupant perspectives. Employing qualitative strategies, an ethnographic methodology was used for primary data collection with phenomenology as a theoretical lens for content analysis. Empirical work involved 73 semi-structured interviews that were conducted alongside ethnographic observations; with the resulting data analysis performed using NVivo 11 software. Additionally, archival documents were reviewed, and contributed to the reported findings. The findings highlight social issues as the main area of sustainability challenge with inequalities, urban exclusions, policy inconsistencies, illegal property developments and neighbourhood contrasts as some key outcomes. These factors were linked to public corruption, data limitations and nepotistic practices that created these problems and they highlighted reoccurring defects within the existing policy framework. This thesis contributes to existing knowledge and practice by proffering a set of guidelines for improving social development and practice within the Abuja area. It also contributes to knowledge development in terms of identifying social sustainability challenges and engendering factors in developing nations. iii DEDICATION To my grandfather Professor. Albert Folorunsho Ogunsola (1924-2013) His words: “Akanni!! Go and get your doctorate degree, jobs and wealth will come searching for you”. You envisioned this, sent me on this mission, believed in my abilities, and your words of inspiration and encouragement in the pursuit of excellence linger on. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord This is for you, as the family legacy continues. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To Almighty God the giver of life, grace and success. I am indeed grateful for the successful completion of my PhD thesis. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of my family, my academic supervisors, friends and the Nottingham Trent University community. First, my sincere gratitude goes to my lovely grandmother (Mrs Victoria Ayodele Ogunsola) for her exemplary love, support, blessings and prayers. It gladdens my heart that God in his infinite mercies has preserved your life to witness the fruit of your labour, as you have raised me in the greatest possible way in life. To my father, (Dr. Femi Ogunsola) no doubt you are my greatest source of pride and inspiration, as you have always believed so much in my ability to attain the greatest heights in life. I am indeed grateful. In addition I wish to appreciate the unconditional love of my mother and siblings (Ronke, Jumoke, Seun and Gbenga), uncles and aunties and best wishes of my relatives both far and near most importantly the Olutades (Uncle Tosin, Aunty Moji, Dami, Temidire, Timileyin) who have showered me with so much love and have been a constant source of my motivation: I cannot thank you enough. Beside my family, this academic fulfilment would not have been realised without the significant input and support of my supervisor Dr Michelle Pepin. I am indeed grateful for your sound intellectual and professional advice, in which you provided all through the years; I could not have wished for a better supervisor. My sincere appreciation also goes to my Director of Studies Professor Mike Hoxle, who at all times ensured a logical approach and valuable contribution to this study. My special thanks to all Abuja urban development participants particularly the residents of the informal and formal neighbourhoods and government institutions who had contributed positively to the success of this study. To the dead, Professor Dino Bouchlaghem, my former Director of Studies and Mr Dere Sunday who passed away in the course of achieving this great academic height; the memories of your contributions to this study lingers on. Many thanks to my research colleagues Abei Tob-Ogu, Oluwaseun Onolaja, Joshua Uweni, Ammar Irhoma, Job Momoh, Mariam Mohammed, Haithem Ahmed, Christina Pieri, Akor Opaluwa, and Valentina Di- Maria who at different points in time contributed meaningfully to the various aspects of this study. Your contributions have influenced the final output of this research. Finally, my very special thanks to my “adorable” fiancée (Shanika Venice Fraser) for her love, prayers, support, understanding and patience in ensuring that my heart’s desires are realised. I am truly grateful as we look forward to a fruitful and prosperous future. v Table of Contents COPYRIGHT STATEMENT i ABSTRACT ii DEDICATION iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v CONTENTS vi LIST OF TABLES xi LIST OF FIGURES xii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xvi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT .......................................................................................................... 2 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT ......................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 AIM .................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................... 5 1.6 OVERVIEW OF METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................... 5 1.7 CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE .................................................................................................. 6 1.8 RESEARCH PROCESS AND STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS .................................................... 6 CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................................................... 11 UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT ....................................................... 11 2.1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 12 2.2: THE CONCEPTION OF SUSTAINABILITY ................................................................................. 12 2.3: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ...................................................................................................... 13 2.3.1. Sustainable Development: Pre-Brundtland ................................................................................... 13 2.3.2. Sustainable Development: Post-Brundtland ................................................................................. 18 2.3.3. Sustainable Development in Developed Countries ...................................................................... 23 2.3.4. Sustainable Development in Developing Countries .................................................................... 26 2.4: URBAN REGENERATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ................................... 28 2.4.1. Urban Regeneration and Policy Development ............................................................................. 30 2.4.2. Urban Regeneration and Public Private Partnerships ............................................................... 37 vi 2.5: URBAN REGENERATION AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY ..............................................