Urban Growth and Sustainable Development of the Built Environment in Abuja Metropolis

Abstract

Rapid urban growth in the federal capital of Nigeria in the last two decades has more effect on the development changes that characterized the cosmopolitan city. This has put enormous pressure on the built environment, where urban construction and transformation are taking place. The paper assessed urban growth and sustainable development of the built environment in Abuja. Its causes and consequences were investigated with respect to five {5} districts that make up the metropolis. The approach to this research is urban environmental sustainability in defining developmental change patterns for quality of the built environment research is presented, and a number of key performance indicators variables were examined. Seventy five (75) questionnaires were distributed to purposive respondents and Sixty- nine (69), accounting for 92% of the number of distributed questionnaires were retrieved and employed for data analysis. The research collected data using a uni-variated analysis on 31 rated likert of a five-point scale. Using descriptive and inferential statistics techniques, the sum weighted score (SWS), mean weighted score (MWS) and Relative Importance Index (RII) rating was obtained. Four major findings were discovered. Firstly, the predominantly building development skyline were for commercial services (MWS= 3.88). Secondly the factor of change in urban growth revolves around public building use and redevelopment of residential properties involving Increase property/Rental Value (MWS= 3.68). Thirdly the major determinants of urban growth were identified as social, economic and spatial political factors as demolition of satellite settlement (MWS=3.35) and lastly non adherence to managerial practices of building regulations enforcement and it implementation in construction. The noticeable consequences had been planning regulation/ provision (MWS=3.14) among others. The study recommended that property developer and stakeholder should adhere to designated master plan implementation and control measures while policy makers should focus more on meeting contemporary urban challenges such as rapid urbanization, balance between economic development and urban sustainability as well as environmental change.