PLANNING THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LOKOJA CENTRAL AREA
PLANNING THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LOKOJA CENTRAL AREA
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Date
1995-10
Authors
SIMON, RAPHAEL
FOLORUNSHO
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Abstract
The central area of any town or city is distinguished by its uniqueness in
terms of location, function and more often than not by its physical form.
It is however pertinent to know that the development of this part of the
city has often defied planning solutions in the developing countries
despsite some considerable measure of success that have been made in other
aspects of physical planning. The manifestation of this problem is the
healthy congestion in the central area of all our cities.
The study goes to argue that there are ways to planning the central area
in such a way that it can be relieved of its problems and this is
demonstrated okoja, a town with a population of about 83,000
inhabitants. The aim is to develop an alternative approach to the
conventional central area which usually encourages the agglomeration
too many uses in the central area.
The study logically follows the set down objectives to ascertain the
possibility of making a better choice of site where the central area can
be located now that the existing traditional centre is inadequate to meet
the modern facilities or functions expected of it.
Experiences of central areas of developed countries for example, America
have shown that an adoption of a design for a central area in one country,
cannot be duplicated in another country due to diversity in culture,
government policy and economy. Nevertheless, much can be learned from the
design of one central area by planner in other environmemts.
The existing situation study of Lokoja reveals some mounting difficults
and topographical disabilities which can only be overcome by a strategic
planning effort. On this basis the reseach advances the reasons for
special decentralizaion of some major functions as against centralization.
The proposed design plan for the central area is conceived as a pedestrain
precinct, the principle which would not only eliminate traffic congestion
but would also restore orderliness and peace. And with the
decentralization of functions like traditional market, residentials, potrol
filling station and big religious worship structures much sernity is
gained and functionality is seriously enhanced.
It is proposed that the implementation of such a plan be meticulously
phased for the purpose of effective execution.
The researcher also recommended that the financial implementation of the
plan be sourced possibly from either or a combination of Federal
government, Banks, private organization and the state government.
The achievement of this however, enables a further objective search for a
conserved central areas of our cities
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER
OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
DEPARTMENT OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
OCTOBER,
Keywords
PLANNING,, PHYSICAL,, DEVELOPMENT,, LOKOJA,, CENTRAL,, AREA