2017
Vol. 1, No. 1
Urbanization is a global phenomenon that is transforming human settlements. Economic growth and rapid growth of cities have brought enormous change to most cities in Nigeria, raising living standards and reducing poverty. Sustainable cities have been the major centres of economic growth and social development, generating new ideas and creating numerous new and existing jobs especially during the era following industrial revolution through economies of scale and agglomeration and fostering creative and innovative civil cultures. This paper provides an overview of issues related to managing urbanization towards sustainable cities. The survey method using questionnaire was employed in the study. The stratified, random and systematic sampling techniques were used in selection of Owerri City and 240 respondents from six zones of the city. Descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the data. The result shows that urbanization has brought enormous economic, social, political and environmental transformations of unprecedented portions to the cities but at the same time causing problems for rural development. There is a growing loss of productive agricultural land to peri-urban development and is increasing pressures for structural region in agriculture. The benefits that larger cities offer in opportunities for infrastructures are making it difficult for rural areas to compete and attract skilled persons to support development. The consequences of urbanization are poverty, high rate of unemployment, crime, alcoholic etc. The study therefore concludes that urbanization brought about economic growth and the rapid growth of cities also brought enormous change to most cities of Nigeria; especially in Owerri, and infrastructures should also be extended to the rural areas as well.
