Role of local town planning authorities in building collapse in Nigeria: evidence from Enugu metropolis

Abstract

The current spate of building collapse in Nigeria has continued to attract research efforts to unravel the causes and possible remedies. Although cases of building collapse in Nigeria has been associated with several factors, those factors associated with building plan approval process have not adequately investigated, especially in a rapidly expanding colonial city of Enugu. The study investigated the role of local town planning authorities in the increasing cases of collapsed buildings in Nigeria using Enugu as a case study. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to the three Chief Town Planners in the three planning approval offices and oral interviews randomly selected 30 developers in ongoing construction projects within Enugu metropolis were conducted. Using content analysis and descriptive statistics the data collected were analyzed. It was observed that due to poor staffing and lack of engagement of building professionals, the planning approval authorities were not effective in scrutinizing, vetting and evaluating building drawings submitted for approval as well as in supervising and monitoring the level of compliance of buildings under construction with the operational building codes and bye-laws in the study area. The study concludes that these lapses in the roles of local building approval authorities can contribute to the increasing cases of collapsed buildings in Enugu Metropolis. It recommends that government should take proactive steps by engaging the right number of building professionals in her planning approval offices and ensuring strict enforcement of the existing physical development legislation and punishment of offenders.

Impact of Landuse Morphology on Urban Transportation

“…Geographically, Enugu state is located in the south-east of Nigeria. The colonial city of Enugu has been the capital of Enugu state, situated between 06 o 21 o N and 06 o 30 o N latitude and between 07 o 26 o E and 07 o 37 o E longitude [21]. It is approximate 230km to the West African Atlantic coast (see Figure 1).…”

Determinants of Intra-Urban Travel in Southeast Nigeria, Evidence From the City of Enugu

“…Geographically, in the south, it shares boundaries with Abia State and Imo State, Benue State to the northeast, Kogi State to the northwest, Ebonyi State to the east and Anambra State to the west. Located between 06 0 21 0 N and 06 0 30 0 N latitude and between 07 0 26 0 E and 07 0 37 0 E longitude, [8] Enugu urban has remained the capital city of Enugu state. The State comprises of 17 Local government areas and it is bordered by the Nkanu East local government area in the east, the Udi local government area in the west, the Enugu East local government area in the north and the Nkanu West Local Government Area in the south (see Fig.…”

“…Currently, the population of Enugu metropolis is rapidly increasing, and extension of the urban environment to the city's periphery follows suit as a result of the massive rural-urban exodus also from other Nigerian cities [8,9]. This has grave consequences on the urban transport subsector in the city.…”

Waste-to-wealth Activities of Scavengers: A Panacea to the Environmental Impact of Global Climate Change in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria

“…Enugu's economy became more diversified in the 1960s beyond the initial coal exploration and have grown with a galloping population and turned auto dependent [8][9][10]. The city is situated between latitude 06°21°N and 06°30°N and longitude 07°26° E and 07°37°E (see figure 1) within an estimated land area covering a total of 215mi 2 equivalent to 556 km 2 [11]. The Metropolis is comprised of Maryland, Garriki Awkunanaw, AmechiAwkunanaw, Akwuke, Uwani, Achara Layout, Emene, Abakpa, Trans-Ekulu, Iva-Valley, GRA (Government Reservation Area), Ogbete, Asata, Ogui New Layout, Independence Layout, New Haven, Nike, and Obiagu; with major Land uses to include; residential, commercial, industrial and institutional.…”