Evaluation of the Contents, Implementation and Success of Urban Renewal Projects in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the contents, implementation and success of urban
renewal projects in Abeokuta, Nigeria, with a view to providing guidelines
that could enhance public participation in urban renewal projects.
Primary data were collected from residents in urban renewal project areas
in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Systematic sampling technique was used in selecting
residents to be sampled. All wards in which urban renewal projects existed
were purposively selected. All 11,352 residential buildings in the selected
wards were enumerated and systematic random sampling technique was
used in selecting 568 (5%) of these buildings from each of which the oldest
resident was purposively selected for sampling with a set of pre-tested
questionnaire. 509 copies of the questionnaire were correctly filled and
used for analyses, using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The
study revealed that majority (67.3%) of the respondents earned monthly
income higher than 20,000 naira; 24.1% earned between 10,001 and
15,000 naira; and just 3.0% earned monthly income of less than 5,000
naira. Investigations further revealed that respondents rated provision of
more hospitals (FSI = 3.20) higher than provision of waste collection
trucks (FSI = 2.26). Significant difference was, however, found in
respondents’ satisfaction with these renewal projects, confirmed by
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) computed (F = .859; p = .001). The study
concluded that effects of socio-economic characteristics on general
perception of urban renewal projects will remain significant so long as
issues surrounding residents’ involvement in the planning and
implementation are not adequately addressed