Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Environmental degradation in riverine areas has become a significant concern due to its detrimental effects on land use patterns. This research project examines the impact of environmental degradation on land use in riverine areas, focusing on the changes in land utilization practices resulting from environmental degradation factors such as erosion, pollution, and habitat destruction. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining field surveys, remote sensing data analysis, and GIS techniques to assess the relationship between environmental degradation and land use changes. Field surveys are conducted to gather primary data on the extent of environmental degradation in selected riverine areas, while remote sensing data is utilized to analyze land cover changes over time. The findings indicate that environmental degradation has led to a shift in land use patterns in riverine areas, with significant implications for agriculture, urban development, and natural habitats. Erosion caused by factors such as deforestation and improper land management practices has resulted in loss of fertile soil for agriculture, leading to a decline in agricultural productivity. Pollution from industrial activities and improper waste disposal has contaminated water sources and soil, rendering large tracts of land unsuitable for cultivation or habitation. This has forced communities to relocate or adapt their land use practices to cope with the degraded environment. Habitat destruction, primarily due to urbanization and infrastructure development, has further reduced the availability of natural areas for wildlife and ecosystem services. The encroachment of human activities into sensitive habitats has disrupted ecological balances and biodiversity, exacerbating the impact of environmental degradation on land use. The research also highlights the role of policy interventions and management strategies in mitigating the effects of environmental degradation on land use in riverine areas. Sustainable land management practices, including reforestation, soil conservation measures, and pollution control policies, are essential for restoring degraded lands and promoting resilient land use systems. Overall, this study underscores the complex interplay between environmental degradation and land use in riverine areas, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches that address both environmental conservation and sustainable land use planning. By understanding the dynamics of environmental change and its implications for land use, policymakers and stakeholders can develop effective strategies to safeguard the ecological integrity and productivity of riverine landscapes.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Slums are home to the poorest of urban populations in Africa. The houses inhabited by slum dwellers are mostly decrepit, overcrowded, in neighborhoods that are prone to flooding and beset with poor sanitation and shortage of potable water. Slums are easily formed in areas experiencing rapid urbanization without commensurate increase in the provision and maintenance of housing and infrastructure. Slums have been conceptualized as a group of buildings or an area characterized by overcrowding, deterioration, insanitary conditions, or absence of basic and essential facilities like potable water, drainage system, schools, health facilities, recreational grounds, post office, among others. Slums generate spontaneously and are in some cases, a direct result of the prevalence of poverty experienced by the inhabitants of cities. Slums which are regarded as an element of urban decay, also result from congestion in overcrowded cities where poor immigrants seek to settle for just any available accommodation irrespective of quality. The overwhelming negatives notwithstanding, there are some positive aspects to slums. In recent years, some environmentalists and organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund suggested that despite the poor living conditions, slums are positive both environmentally and socially. Because slums are characterized by very high density of housing, it’s environmental impact is smaller than that of dispersed rural communities. Furthermore, the fertility rate of new slum dwellers is below the replacement rate; this mitigates dangers associated with overpopulation that results from manpower-intensive subsistence agriculture, and frees up arable land for the nature, or more efficient industrialized agriculture. Slum dwellers also appear to have vastly better opportunities for getting jobs, starting small businesses and climbing out of poverty than rural inhabitants. Nigeria is ranked as one of the countries with high slum prevalence. The proliferation of shanty dwellings, squatter settlements and slums in most of our cities in Nigeria including the cross rivers state which is the being focused on in this study. However, it has been asserted that the presence of slum increase the rate of crime in the area thereby affecting the value of the residential property (Omole, 2010). The prevalence of slum in Nigeria has significantly affected the value of residential properties in the affected areas. This value is determined by the prices of the residential property or by the value of rent per a period time that is collected on them. However, the researcher will find out the impact of slum on the value of residential property in Nigeria.

The process of urbanization which means specific changes in the distribution and structure of population as well as in a size and character of a settlement, their network or system, has many sided relationship with slums formation. The rapid rate of urbanization witnessed in the last century has produced more slums in the major cities of the world, particularly in developing countries where thousands of rural people move into the major cities at large proportion. Presence have slum is believed to have been a major cause of organized crime in the society. The researcher will investigate the impact of slum on the value of residential properties in Nigeria.

The main objective of the study is to ascertain the impact of slum on value of residential properties in Nigeria. However for the successful completion of the study, the following sub objectives were put forward by the researcher:

(i)To examine the impact of slum on value of residential property in cross rivers state.

(ii) To identify the causes of slum formation in cross rivers state.

(iii) To examine the relationship between slum formation and the value of residential properties.

(iv) To evaluate the degrees of health effect that can be caused when the residential properties in cross river state are being overcrowded.

1.4 Research question

For the successful completion of the study, the following research questions were formulated:

(i) How can the impact of slum on value of residential properties in cross rivers state be examined?

(ii) What are the causes of slum formation in cross rivers state?

(iii) What is the relationship between slum formation and the value of residential properties?

(iv) How can the degrees of health effect that are caused when the residential properties in cross river state be evaluated?

1.5 Research hypothesis

HO: Formation of slum does not have impact of value of residential properties in cross rivers state.

H1:  Formation of slum does have impact of value of residential properties in cross rivers state.

1.6   Significance of the study

It is conceived that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of great benefit to the everyone residing in cross river state to have an understanding of the impact of slum on the value of residential properties in the state; the study will also be of great benefit to the users of the social media on delivering adequate information to the international scene.

It is conceived that the study will also be of great importance to researcher who are in need of information on similar field. Finally, the study will also be of great importance to lecturers, teacher’s students and the general public.

1.7 Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of the study is the impact of slum on value of residential properties in Nigeria. However, the study has some constrained and limitations which are:

• Availability of research material: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.
• Time: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
• Finance: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.

1.8   Definition of terms

Impact

T o have a strong effect on someone or something.

Slum

A slum is a house or a neighborhood that is in poor condition and that is generally considered unsafe and not nice to live or be in.

Value

The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

Residential

A residential area is made up of houses and apartment building.

Properties

A building or buildings and the land belonging to it or them.

References

Akinyode, B. F. “An appraisal of community improvement programmes (CIP) in developing countries: A case study of World Bank Assisted Urban Renewal Project in Ibadan”, M. Sc. Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 1998

Olotuah, A. O., Housing Quality in suburban areas: An empirical study of Oba-Ile, Nigeria, Dimensi Teknik Arsitektur, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 133 -137, 2006.

Omole, F. K., “An Assessment of Housing Condition and Socio-Economic Life Styles of Slum Dwellers in Akure, Nigeria”, Contemporary Management Research. Vol 6. No 4. Pp 273-290, 2010.