Implementation of Urban Policy and Sustainable Development Goal 11 in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja

Abstract

The quest to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 target through implementation of urban policies has continued to pose challenges in developing countries including Nigeria and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja in particular. The purpose of this paper is to examine the ways implementation of urban policies has influenced the realization of SDG 11 goals in the FCT given the challenges confronting the residents in the city, particularly in the areas of clean water and efficient transportation system. The paper was anchored on the elite theory which helps in explaining the connection between implementation of SDG 11 target and elite preferences. The population of the study consisted of 3,510 respondents, while the sample size of the study was 360 respondents determined using Rakesh sample size formula.360 questionnaires were administered. Twenty-five (25) respondents were selected for an in-depth interview on the basis of their knowledge on issues under study. Data, particularly in the areas of clean water were also collected using secondary sources. Data from questionnaires were analyzed using percentages and frequency tables, while data from in-depth interviews were analyzed using textual methods. Data from secondary sources were analyzed using relational-content analysis. Among other things, findings revealed that the level of implementation of urban development before the introduction of SDG 11 has been very poor, while the SDG 11 has not brought meaningful development in FCT since inception based on the records available. On the basis of the findings, it is concluded that significant improvement in the level of implementation of urban development policies in the FCT is vital to ensuring the objectives of SDG 11 target in the city and in its suburban areas are achieved. Among other things, it was recommended that urban development policies regarding availability of clean water should be adequately implemented in FCT in order to achieve SDG 11 targets in the city, while at the same time, implementing the Abuja Master Plan to achieve an efficient transportation system in the city.