Urban Transformation: a Changing Phase of Minna Central Area, Nigeria

Urban centres in the world are undergoing facets of changes, these changes are evident in developing countries and more divergent because urban transformation in developing countries is often accompanied challenges which include traffic congestion, overcrowding, pollution and continuous land use succession. This phenomenon is not different with the central area of Minna, Nigeria. Since 2008 the central area of Minna has had different changes meant to address the problems of overcrowding, on street trading, indiscriminate waste disposal and traffic congestion. Against this background, this study assessed the changes that have occurred with implications on human settlement, generally; by examining the levels of land use succession, and ascertaining its implications on Minna central area. Data employed in this study includes high resolution image of the the Minna central area and socioeconomic characteristics of Minna obtained through the use of questionnaires using purposive sampling techniques. The data were corroborated with Geo-spatial analysis. The study reveals that between 2008 to 2016 there was a significant change in urban transformations in Minna central area as 75% of the residential area were converted to commercial uses, although the Minna central market was also relocated to a new site in order to address the issues, little was however achieved as this only relocated the problems to another part of the town. This study recommends that urban management and monitoring (development control) of Minna city centre and similar cities should imbibe the current SDGs approach that emphasizes participation and inclusive planning approach to urban development.