HOUSING CONDITIONS AND OCCUPANCY RATION IN OKPOKO URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

HOUSING CONDITIONS AND OCCUPANCY RATION IN OKPOKO URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

Urban renewal evolved more or as a result of the Industrial Revolution which led to urban decay.  The nature of such decay can be attributed to many factors which can be classified under human, economic and social factors. This phenomenon of decay is manifested more on the structures and is characterized by acute shortages with demand always more than supply.  These result to cover crowding and rapid increase in rent levels. As a result of this, the urban poor who cannot afford the rent of decent structure is forced to live in shanty structures, thus the development of slum.

Other social factors which triggers urban decay includes poor sanitary conditions, congestion and the general inadequacies of social services like water and electricity supplies recreational centres, health centres and so on.  According to Okeke D-C 2002, available facilities deteriorate fast and decay sets in due to over use, poor usage performance, lack of maintenance etc.

Urban renewal scheme have continued to make massive impact in the improvement of urban slum in may parts of the World   (Anota, 1982). Urban renewal in its broadcast meaning is a form of reciperating change in the physical city by which the wornout or out modeled structures and facilities in an area are replaced in response to pressure of economic and social change.  Agreeing to this, Chapin 1965 therefore sees urban renewal as a process that has been going on as long as cities have existed.

Urban Renewal strategies include that comprehensive clearance/ redevelopment, the rehabilitation and the conservation approach.  They can be used singly or in combination of one or two considering some criteria.

1.2       STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

The truth is that there is no town that has not its own share of problems.  In Nigerian, towns and cities are characterized by many problems. In Anambra State in general and Okpoko layout in Particular, one seems not notice that environmental degradation is the order to living.  The area is characterized by poor quality housing unmaintained streets, poor drainage systems and the absence or lack of public services and facilities.

HOUSING CONDITIONS AND OCCUPANCY RATION IN OKPOKO URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING