SOLD BY: AN EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS
ABSTRACT
This project isan evaluation of the impact of development control on residential property value in Port Harcourt metropolis. In the course of carrying out this research the primary data was collected through questionnaire and oral interview with the Rivers State Development Authority and some real estate property developer in the study area. 100 Questionnaire was administered which 80 was collected back upon which the data presentation and analysis depends on. The instrument used in analyzing the data was purposive and tabular form. The research shows that developer and the development control officials tend to accused each other of complicity in development of residential property process in Abuja. the researcher therefore recommend that there is urgent need for effective force and good communication skill and rapid awareness aiming at creating adequate effectiveness on physical environmental issues in Port Harcourt metropolis.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Property development control forms an integral part of the planning practice. It is the basic means by which the state intervenes to regulate the use and development of land in order to implement local and national planning policies. Most significantly it is the part of the planning process in which members of the public come into contact with local planning authorities.
Today, property development control comes under considerable criticism about the nature of decisions taken, and the ways in which they are taken. One hears complaints that sluggishness discourages development; that its complexity is excessively costly; And that its nature stifles initiative. (Amos, 1980). Development control is not appreciated by the general public mainly because of the restrictions it imposes on the aims and aspiration of the developers.
Originally, the rationale for the introduction of state control on private development was to achieve objectives of safety and better health in order to create an improved environment for the benefit of the community. However, as the role of the state expanded and the extent of its intervention increased the definition of the ‘environment’ subject to planning control has changed. From being wholly concerned with the physical form and content of development it now embraces the social and economic consequences of development. As a result, development control has been used to implement planning strategies for different purposes; for example to minimize the negative effect of urban growth, to check the menace of market forces and ensure social equity, as well as to support economic growth (Litchfield & Darin Drabkin, 1980).
Therefore, property development control is a tool, sometimes used to achieve its original objectives of safety and better health; Sometimes to implement planning strategies; and in some cases to do both. Although it continues to regulate the use of land, while planning strategies have widened in scope, development control has proved incapable of meeting additional demands. Since development control is used to implement planning policies, which are normally reflected in planning legislation, physical development plans and other associated planning documents, the failure to achieve development planning objectives may be due to the pursuit of inappropriate policies, to the application of inflexible standards and regulations, or both, which is why Koenigsberger (1975), Rivkin (1978) and McAuslan (1985) comment that development control practices are inappropriate, ineffective and inequitable in their operation in most Third World cities.
They argue that developing countries stand to benefit little from the transplanting of regulations that have evolved in different social soils with differing political and economic climates. Another criticism is that planning agencies in developing countries lack the power and resources to perform efficient and effective development control.
Property development control is seen as a mechanism to maintain standards. It is process laid down by legislation, which regulates the development of land and building. It is the professional activity carried out by town planners in order to ensure compliance with the approved master plan thereby ensuring orderliness.
In line with the above definition, development control actually regulates any building or rebuilding operations in, on and under the land. It also ensures an orderly growth of settlements by stipulating adequate standards for all aspects of land-use through the provision of adequate lighting, ventilation, open spaces and other socio-cultural facilities that make life worth living. The power to grant or refuse as well as attach conditions to permissions for development to take place gives the public agencies the big teeth.
Ogunsesan (2004) opined that development control is the “front line‟ of planning and the part, which affects the general public most. There is a direction in the exercise of development control on developers. The direction according to Ogunsesan (2004) is the objectives of development control, which include: the protection and enhancement of the built environment; the coordination of both public and private investments in land and property to ensure that land is efficiently used; and the control of pollution. In development control process, time is a very important factor. There are two types of time factors in the development control process as pointed out by Faludi (1973): “internal and external time lag”. The internal time lag as he explained is the time it takes to act upon information received, while the external time lag, he explains as the time it takes for the action to be effected.
Property development control is carried out by planning authorities that have legal powers conferred on them to ensure that development is secured. The authorities according to Faludi (1973) are empowered to: plan, promote and secure the physical development and environmental improvement by economic; as financial developers they can initiate planning schemes and develop the area wholly or partly‟. Kimaryo (1992) is of the view that „though the planning authorities are empowered legally to carry out their duties, it may still be restricted. Its effectiveness reduced by lack of political backing and support from the top echelon of government functionaries‟.
Furthermore, development control is seen as a powerful implementation weapon in the planning armory. Positive encouragement is given to developers to compel them to willingly develop their land with due respect to the requirement of the planning authorities. Public enlightenment is usually embarked upon which tend to encourage the public to want some sort of control over physical development. Communication is a vital tool necessary for development control to succeed. An effective and efficient communication ensures „control development with people and not for people‟; for if people are carried along in development control process, the authority will be able to guide development with ease and achieve their set objectives of a well planned built-up area with good road network, building set-backs, ventilation, lighting and pollution free environment. On the other hand, if the members of the public are not informed, they may not accept the idea of control, with feelings that since they owned the land, they can as well carry out development the way they want and at their own time without due consideration.
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
Rural- urban migration has caused congestion in the urban areas and left the towns and cities sprawling endlessly into the countryside with dire consequences for the provision of essential urban infrastructure. That is, the rate of expansion of each of old and newly emerging town led to the emergence of uncoordinated land-uses, winding road network, traffic congestion, uncoordinated provision and distribution of socio-physical infrastructure, uncollected waste and the like, amongst others with great impact on the socio-economic well being of the inhabitants. All these are resultant effects of uncontrolled development in both rural and urban settlements in Nigeria.
The rapid growth of our settlements, particularly urban areas need to be controlled to prevent chaotic and haphazard physical growth and development, which certainly takes place in the absence of any development control measure. However, some of the rationales for effective development control are the achievement of balanced, coordinated and good development of the environment; it ensures structural soundness and the adequate provision of necessary utilities, services and facilities for the proposed buildings; protection and the development of the environment so that the activities of men do not have adverse effects on it. This uncontrolled development has led to the environmental situation as presently witnessed in some squatter settlements of Abuja and other big town and cities in Nigeria. It is against this background that this study seek to evaluate the impact of property development control on residential property in Karu, Nasarawa State.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this project is to evaluate the impact of development control on residential property value in Port Harcourt metropolis.
To achieve the aim above the following objectives were pursued
- To examine the effectiveness of development control in the Study Area
- To identify the functions of property development control
- To evaluate the impact of the development control on residential property value
- To identify the possible problems militating against the effectiveness and efficiency of development control in the study area.
1.4 Research Questions
- How effective is development control inPort Harcourt metropolis?
- What are the functions of development control?
- What impact has development control made to real estate development in Port Harcourt metropolis?
- What are the possible problems militating against the effectiveness and efficiencyof property development control in the study area?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This project will help to overcome the challenges that are currently facing in development authority in Rivers state especially Port Harcourt metropolis by the time this project is completed as it will serve as an eye opener on relevance of development control towards effective and efficient development of urban and rural areas in Nigeria.
The result of this study will enlighten property developers and investors on the need to comply with development control authority as development control generally impact positively on residential property development.
Students and other researchers will find this research useful as it will serve as reference to the department of estate management and valuation.
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study
There are different types of property development, this project mainly concern on the evaluation of the impact of development control on residential property value in Port Harcourt metropolis.
In the course of carrying out this study several problems were encountered among which are:
Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
Uncooperative attitude of Respondents: Some respondents were very reluctant in responding to the research questions which tried to affect the research but the researcher make concerted effort to convinced them.
1.8 DEFINITION & OPERATIONAL OF TERMS
- Development: used here means an event constituting a new stage in a changing situation i.e. process development or being developed
- Control: implies the power to influence or checking direct result of a survey or experiment of an intelligence of organization.
- Impact: these means to have a strong effect on something either positive or negative.Residential: means involving living at the place where you are working, studying or being looked after.
- Property: a thing or things belonging to someone or possessions collectively i.e. an attribute, quality or characteristics of something.
1.9 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region).[5] Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders includes; Anambra and Imo on the north, Abia and AkwaIbom on the east, and Bayelsa and Delta on the west. The state capital, Port Harcourt, is a metropolis that is considered to be the commercial center of the Nigerian oil industry.
With a population of 5,198,716 as of the 2006 census, Rivers State is the 6th most populous state in Nigeria.[8] Rivers State is a diverse state that is home to many ethnic groups, the majority being Igbo or Igboid, but also including the Ogoni and Ijaw. The state is particularly noted for its linguistic diversity, with 28 indigenous languages being said to be spoken in Rivers State, the most dominant of which are the Igbo speaking groups, the Ogoni and Ijaw languages.[9] Rivers State is the 26th largest state by area, and its geography is dominated by the numerous rivers that flow through it, including the Bonny River.
The economy of Rivers State is dominated by the state’s booming petroleum industry. Although the rise of the oil industry has led to increased revenue for the state government, mismanagement and corruption have prevented the state from rapid development and meaningfully tackling poverty.[11] During the 2000s, Rivers State saw a rise in the number of cult killings committed within the state.[12] In 2019, Governor EzenwoNyesomWike declared Rivers State to be a Christian state because it is made up of 90% Christians and 10% orthodox with few strangers practicing Islam unconventionally.
Geography
Rivers State is a predominantly low-lying pluvial state in southern Nigeria, located in the eastern part of the Niger Delta on the oceanward extension of the Benue Trough.[19] The inland part of the state consists of tropical rainforest, and towards the coast, the typical Niger Delta environment features many mangrove swamps. Rivers State has a total area of 11,077 km2 (4,277 sq mi), making it the 26th largest state in Nigeria. Surrounding states are Imo, Abia and Anambra to the north, AkwaIbom to the east and Bayelsa, Delta to the west. On the south, it is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Its topography ranges from flat plains, with a network of rivers to tributaries.
Climate
Ogoni Climate activists and others in Port Harcourt protesting environmental degradation in 2015.
Rainfall is generally seasonal, variable, as well as heavy, and occurs between the months of March and October through November. The wet season peaks in July, lasting more than 290 days. The only dry months are January and February having little to no effect.
Total annual rainfall decreases from about 4,700 mm (185 in) on the coast, to about 1,700 mm (67 in) in the extreme north. It is 4,698 mm (185 in) at Bonny along the coast and 1,862 mm (73 in) at Degema. For Port Harcourt, temperatures throughout the year are relatively constant with little variation throughout the course of the seasons. Average temperatures are typically between 25 and 28 °C (77 and 82 °F). Some parts of the state still receive up to 150 mm (6 in) of rainfall during the dry period. Relative humidity rarely dips below 60% and fluctuates between 90% and 100% for most of the year.
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