Challenges and prospects of physical development control: A case study of Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Development control is one of the measures applied by physical planning agencies particularly, local planning authority but in the case of Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria, Federal housing authority (FHA), do ensure that developers do not deviate from building plans approved for them in the course of implementation (construction) on the plot earmarked for such. This is aimed at enhancing environmental quality, improved housing condition, privacy in residents and free flow of air among others. Despite the importance of development control measures in physical environmental balancing, series of factors still hinder its effectiveness. This study tried to examine the problems hindering effective development activities in Festac Town, and recommended practicable solutions. The study was carried out through direct survey of physical development activities in the town, administration of questionnaire to the residents, with the interview of development control agency (FHA) revealed such hindrances as lack of planning tools and equipment, inadequate funding of planning agency, inadequacy of professionally qualified planners in FHA, ineffective development control procedure, lack of organized public enlightenment campaign, and above all, the act of bribery and corruption among development control officers among others. All these have resulted in the existence of series of illegal structures in Festac Town. Having identified the aforementioned hindrance, the study however, recommends proper funding of the development control agency, appointment of disciplinary measures on erring officers, particularly the professionals. This will enhance effective development control mechanism and eventually create a conducive living, working and recreating and environment. Key words: Physical development control, Festac town, Federal housing authority (FHA), housing condition.