Planning a Functional City Centre in a Physiographic Constrained Landscape: A Case Study of Lokoja, Nigeria

The city centre planning and redevelopment in developing cities, the location, function and physical form of such cities notwithstanding often remain the hardest planning proposal to be accomplished by any planning endeavour. The magnitude of this problem has been linked to the origin and locations of many settlements especially those associated with poor relief environment which later poses numerous planning challenges such as malfunctioning of such cities’ central area planning. This study therefore aims at planning a more viable and functional 'city centre' that befit the ever growing and physically distorted Lokoja town which existing central area is currently undermining the physical need of the inhabitants. Moreover, in the face of physical environmental challenge, there must be a good choice of locating a befitting site for its central area development. In the literature, it is evident that there are different concepts worldwide in the development of this centre hence copying from one style of design may not really work else where because of many peculiarities. Methodologically, the study employs detailed land-use studies, traffics survey and other social research analytical tool to propose a better choice of alternative site for the central area development. The researchers conceived a ‘pedestrian precinct principle’ for the central areas that is being anticipated and concludes that the fiscal resources or funding of the central area plan implementation be sourced possibly from either urban development bank or directly from central government

Slum Settlements Regeneration in Lagos Mega-city: an Overview of a Waterfront Makoko Community

Urban degradation is caused principally by urbanization process, however, most of the environmental problems in Lagos suburbs result largely from its unplanned landuses, swampy nature of built areas and weak development control. Other critical problems that bother minds also include lack of open space, poor management of flood channels and substandard housing. This paper discuses the possible intervention strategies in the regeneration effort of Makoko - a submerged residential enclave located in Yaba local government area of Lagos. The research method which is both narrative and statistically descriptive in nature enables the author engage in a detailed literature study of the chronological development of Lagos with view to determining how the mega city came about the current level of degenerating infrastructural facilities. The study found that the principle of cooperative leadership by government at all levels is fundamental to making important difference in qualitative development controls of the study area. It however concluded that the duo role of the public and traditional power structure of the community leaders must be involved in the conception and implementation of Makoko’s environmental planning programmes

Climate Change,Urban Degreening and Flooding in Nigerian Cities:Reducing Vulnerability Through Polycentric Planning and Urban Greeenery Strategy(PPUGS)

This paper uses the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework to analyse the missing links in attempts to address the problems of flooding in Nigerian cities. Previous flooding and the recent ones have been attributed to heavy downpour, blockage of water channels and drainages, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and building of houses along channels. Areas that are neglected but pertinent to flood mitigation include: (1) degreening activities that remove green cover; (2) paving of open spaces with asphalt and concrete that accentuate storm water volume as percolation is reduced; and (3) unpaved surfaces that generate debris and silts that cause siltation and sedimentation of Atlantic Ocean and Lagoon with the consequence of rising sea level and coastal flooding. The paper reports the findings of longitudinal studies on causative factors of urban flooding. The studies commenced in Ile-Ife and Ibadan in 1997, conducted in Lagos in 1998-2000 and 2011 and in Ibadan in 2011 and 2012. The paper identified gaps between and among the stakeholders in environmentalism and ecosystemic balance at state and local levels. Indications from Ile-Ife, Lagos and Ibadan show that the three cities are experiencing degreening activities. For example, in Ile-Ife and Lagos, the green areas account for the least proportions, 24.1% and 27% of open spaces around buildings respectively, while 75.9% and 73.0% of the available open spaces are either paved or unpaved with the problem of heat radiation that demands additional energy for operating artificial cooling system and consequently increased global warming. In addition, degreening activities cause flooding. As more and more land is urbanised, and trees and grasses are replaced by asphalt and concrete, rainwater has less chance to be absorbed. Thus, storm water rushes down the streets while areas that were never flooded are now routinely under water. Other studies in Lagos show that: (i) there is an increase in the rate of sedimentation and sea level rise (ii) rainstorms in the city have become more intense and urban flooding will be more severe. Floods have devastated many parts of Lagos and Ibadan leading to loss of several lives and property and the displacement of several people. Statistics confirms that between 2011 and 2012, more than 150 billion naira (about $1 billion) was lost in Lagos, while 2,105 buildings were flooded in Ibadan with property damaged estimated in billions of Naira. As a result, the Lagos and Oyo States‟ Governments spent several millions of Naira on relief to the victims. This paper raises some fundamental questions on the roles of stakeholders (scholars, public officials, practitioners, professionals and citizens) within the built environment in designing strategies at mitigating urban flooding. This paper considered it imperative for the adoption of pragmatic and problem-solving strategies that can help in mitigating flooding in Lagos and Ibadan. Consequently, the paper designs an African Polycentric Urban Greenery Model (APUGM) that can be applied to addressing the challenges of flooding in the two cities. The paper emphasizes, among other considerations, the use of traducture in reaching the grassroots for solution to the recurrent challenges of flooding. The paper also designs strategies that Lagos and Oyo states‟ governments could adopt for the depopulation of the two cities – Lagos and Ibadan respectively through de-urbanisation, de-migration and re-migration

Effects of Urbanisation on Lagos Wetlands

The study considered the effects of urbanisation on Lagos wetlands. Exploratory approach was employed in carrying out the study. The study established that urbanisation in the metropolis results from influx from the rural areas which had resulted in the quest for more spaces to provide accommodation or employment for the teaming population. Primary causes of wetland loss in Lagos Metropolis are human activities which include incessant sand filling and conversion of wetland environment to economic uses (construction) and perennial flooding that are common and regular occurrences in the metropolis. These had resulted into direct habitat loss, suspended solids additions, hydrologic changes, altered water quality, increase runoff volumes, diminished infiltration; reduce stream base flows and groundwater supplies, prolonging dry periods to mention just a few. The study therefore recommends that human activities (both individuals and government) should be reduced while efforts should be on those activities that encourage wetland conservation and preservation. Also focus should be shifted from the immediate benefits derived from wetland conversion to future/sustainable benefits derivable from proper wetland managemen

Assessment of Promotions of Compressed Stabilized Laterite Bricks in Predicting its Acceptability for Housing

Compressed Stabilized Laterite Bricks (CSLBs) has been canvassed as a viable alternative to sandcrete blocks due to its affordability and sustainability. However, it has not been widely accepted and used for housing construction as a result of certain inhibitors based on peoples’ perception. This paper examined the correlation between promotions (one of the inhibitors) of CSLBs in the prediction of its acceptability by the urban populace in Lagos State, Nigeria. Ibeju- Lekki Local Government Area was purposively selected for this study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 180 randomly selected respondents out of which 139 questionnaires were validly completed. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics models. Results of the analysis revealed that adequate promotions of CSLBs will significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influence its acceptability by the urban populace. In addition, low cost implication and high aspiration for home ownership were identified as other factors that significantly affected acceptability of CSLBs. It is recommended that public awareness campaign and education by government and stakeholders in the building industry is the key to acceptability of CSLBs for housing construction.

PARENTAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN ADO-ODO OGUN STATE NIGERIA

The economy of Nigeria is experiencing a downturn in recent times and as a result, the rate of unemployment and poverty has increased rapidly. A good foundation to employment generation and job security is vocational education. Evidently, the growth of any nation depends on its technological components. Despite the fact that vocational education is important for economy development, its effective implementation has been and it is still being faced with many challenges. This paper looks at the roles of parents in vocational educational and its viability in a dwindling economy like Nigeria. Using quantitative data from 100 parents, it could be deduced that parents preferred courses with better recognition and acceptance. It is recommended that parents of secondary schools graduate be educated on the prospects of vocational education, especially its ability to generate employment. Furthermore, vocational education should be better incorporated into tertiary curriculum and certificates should be awarded

ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TOWARDS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Vocational education is a vital tool for economic development. The Federal Government, in 2011,launched the Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC) which requires that all senior secondary school students be trained in one vocational subject. This study examines the attitudes of students and teachers towards vocational education in secondary schools in Ado-Odo Local Government,Ogun State, Nigeria. It aims to highlight the factors that affect and influence the attitudes of students and teachers towards vocational training as well as identify ways through which these attitudes can be improved. The study employs the use of questionnaires distributed to 200 students and 60 teachers in four secondary schools in Adodo-Ota LGA. The results show that students and teachers recognize the importance of vocational education. The study recommends that students be provided with modern day equipment to encourage students’ engagement in vocational subjects. The curriculum for the teaching of vocational subjects should be comprehensive, standardized and enforced in all secondary schools to ensure that students acquire all the skills they need to practice the vocation(s). These will improve vocational education and the attainment of its goals in secondary schools

A Laser-Guided Spinal Cord Displacement Injury in Adult Mice

Mouse models are unique for studying molecular mechanisms of neurotrauma because of the availability of various genetic modified mouse lines. For spinal cord injury (SCI) research, producing an accurate injury is essential, but it is challenging because of the small size of the mouse cord and the inconsistency of injury production. The Louisville Injury System Apparatus (LISA) impactor has been shown to produce precise contusive SCI in adult rats. Here, we examined whether the LISA impactor could be used to create accurate and graded contusive SCIs in mice. Adult C57BL/6 mice received a T10 laminectomy followed by 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 mm displacement injuries, guided by a laser, from the dorsal surface of the spinal cord using the LISA impactor. Basso Mouse Scale (BMS), grid-walking, TreadScan, and Hargreaves analyses were performed for up to 6 weeks post-injury. All mice were euthanized at the 7th week, and the spinal cords were collected for histological analysis. Our results showed that the LISA impactor produced accurate and consistent contusive SCIs corresponding to mild, moderate, and severe injuries to the cord. The degree of injury severities could be readily determined by the BMS locomotor, grid-walking, and TreadScan gait assessments. The cutaneous hyperalgesia threshold was also significantly increased as the injury severity increased. The terminal lesion area and the spared white matter of the injury epicenter were strongly correlated with the injury severities. We conclude that the LISA device, guided by a laser, can produce reliable graded contusive SCIs in mice, resulting in severity-dependent behavioral and histopathological deficits