Regeneration in the Nigerian Urban Built Environment

Abstract

This paper examines the problems and challenges of the Nigeria's urban built environment. Nigeria's built environment is in the state of chaos; as a result of physical deterioration and infrastructures decadence. The decay has resulted in the creation of slums and blights in our urban centers. The paper traces the factors responsible for these, to that: associated with the rapid urbanization; rural-urban migration, which is exerting undue pressure on the available facilities in the urban centers; inadequate and insufficient housing to meet demand and ineffective urban housekeeping. The paper asserts that to avert further decay; there is an urgent need for effective action along a broad front; through urban regeneration of the built environment. Such regeneration should focus on slum eradication and families from them must have decent housing at an affordable cost. Blights must be removed and further spread prevented. The paper posits that our urban centers should be a conducive, harmonious, and pleasing living environment for the citizenry. Therefore, there is the need: to stimulate an effective rural development programme; by the provision of basic infrastructures, amenities and services in the rural areas. These would encourage industrialization of the rural areas; and consequently, serve as growth poles and springboards for the redistribution of population and traffic patterns; for sustainable balance development. The paper concludes that Nigeria can still achieve sustainable human settlement, provided we are ready to adopt and apply the norms and principles of good urban housekeeping.