Assessment of the Role of Greenbelts in Environmental and Socio-Economic Development of Urban Areas in Southeast Nigeria

As urban areas in many developing countries continue to witness rapid spatial and demographic growth, the sustenance of greenbelts is seriously threatened due increasing demand for land housing provision infrastructure. However, a country like Nigeria, there lack clarity on some contentious issues regarding greenbelts. This study investigated role environment socio-economic development cities southeastern Nigeria. A questionnaire survey 300 built professionals, including architects, engineers, town planners, surveyors, quantity surveyors property developers was conducted area. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics Chi-square tests significance it observed that although around 75.3% respondents agreed green belts contribute pressure existing area; most participants indicated play significant sustainability by protecting air water, serving as local sources food medicine, means preserving agricultural land, promoting biodiversity preventing degradation. In addition, prohibiting physical developments Brownfields alternative identified possible strategies research intrusive revealing key roles agenda ways them rapidly urbanizing regions Nigeria beyond.