Uncontrolled Urban Expansion, Population Growth and Urban Development in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

This paper examines the inter-relationship of three major phenomena- population growth, uncontrolled urban expansion and urban development in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Uncontrolled urban expansion has a resultant effect on the urban development of a city whereas uncontrolled urban development is caused by uncontrolled population increase is caused by Migration. This work encapsulates how population growth has affected the urban expansion and resultant land use and urban development in the city. The methodology adopted the use of both primary and secondary data: the population data from the Demography Division of the Governor’s Office and the urban growth Maps (1956 and 2006. Data were analysed and the resulting graphs extrapolated to show the relationship of population growth on urban expansion and urban land use/urban development. Results show a direct correlation between population growth and both urban expansion and land use/urban development: between 1966 and 1976 the population dropped; as reflected in the drop in urban growth in terms spatial expansion of the city and urban development as there was a decrease in urban land use for education, industrial, and other land uses. Between 1996 and 2006, the population increased; also reflected on the increase in urban growth and urban land uses. Result is useful for Physical, Economic and Strategic Planners in formulating policies for urban renewal schemes and Development Control. The result is also applicable to medium-sized and small cities, in the Developing Countries.