PLANNING FOR THE INTEGRATION OF RUGANGE SUB-URBAN AREA INYOLA-SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The rapid population growth of urban centres has resulted in spatial expansion of the urban centres and also the sub-urban areas, hence, making the sub-urban areas dependent on certain facilities and services from the urban centres. This paper shows the level of strong relationship between accessibility and interaction within the urban centre. Socioeconomic characteristics were studied to determine the level of economic activities in the sub-urban area. To have clear picture of both physical and economic activities in Rugange sub-area, structured and unstructured questionnaires were administered to sample households in Rugange using random sampling technique, to obtain data on the availability of infrastructure and social service in the area. The analyzed data revealed that Rugange is physically and economically under-developed. This is attributed to poor provision and distribution of facilities, utilities and services by the government. Agriculture is the predominant activity of the sub-urban area as studied, other nonagricultural occupation include trading/businesses, canoe making, blacksmithing, civil servants and students. Work, school, hospital, business transactions, market, banking services amongst others are major reasons for the interaction between the sub-urban area and Yola. Whereas, seasonal farming, firewood collection, fish trading and sand collection for different purposes are reasons for interaction between Yola and the sub-urban area. Land is held mainly through customary system and largely acquired through inheritance; others are residential, commercial, educational, quarrying and grazing. Proposals are done based on integrating elements like education, market, access road, local service industries and a proposed layout for future growth and development of Rugange, so that the suburban area will gradually and eventually become part of the urban fabric. The paper recommends that integration strategy in provision of basic community facilities and services should be applied.

Keywords: Planning, Integration, sub-urban area, Yola, Nigeria