Laissez-Faire Environmental Policy Implementation and Fako Urban Blight, Cameroon

Abstract

While legislation exist to regulate urban development, there is unfortunately a wide spread disrespect of the urban environmental policies which could stem the host of challenges that could impair human wellbeing and livelihoods of the urban dwellers. This paper examines the non implementation of the urban environmental laws using the Anthropic Interference Model (AIM) which posit that human interference with the drainage channel within city environments accounts for increased flood frequencies and flood magnitudes. The study for Buea, a highland town and Limbe, a low coastal city shows that there is an incredible degree of human interference with the existing drainage systems which is the results of the urban flood hazards, the unhealthy wet environments and the urban aesthetic blight. In view of these prevailing conditions, the paper recommends a strong sensitization of the urban population on the need to respect the legislation enforced as a move toward the building of sustainable cities. Apart from the raising of public awareness, there should be a strict application of the law in which the demolition of structures that contravene the law should serve as a deterrent to future non compliance. This would be an effective measure for parting with the long standing urban environmental Laissez-faire that has plagued our Cameroonian towns.