IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF ULI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ANAMBRA STATE)

IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF ULI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ANAMBRA STATE)  

ABSTRACT:  

The study examine impact of environmental planning on rural development, This study was undertaken majorly to evaluate the impact of environmental planning on rural development and to determine if environmental planning help in the development of rural communities.

Concerning methodology for this study, data for this study was collected from the respondents through the use of questionnaires. Questionnaires were shared to all 32 respondents of the organization, and field surveys through responses to questions in the questionnaire served as the main source of primary data for this study.Other information was collected from text books, journals and other secondary sources of data.The research design used for this study was the descriptive research design. Since data characteristics were described using frequencies and percentages, and no manipulations of data or variables were necessary, the researcher chose this research design. The researcher discarded other alternatives such as the causal and explanatory research designs, because accurate findings and data analysis may not be achieved. The population figure for the study was 32 respondents.  Since the population for the study was not large, and data could be collected from all the respondents, the researcher adopted the census sampling technique to successfully complete the study. All 32 respondents were used for this study. Various analytical tools and software such as pie charts, bar charts, tables, and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software were used in analysing data for this study.Data collected were analysed using frequencies and percentages. These frequencies and percentages enabled the researcher to clearly represent true data characteristics and findings with a great deal of accuracy. Interpretation and analysis of data was also used to describe items in tables and charts used for this study.

Findings from the study revealed the following: There is a significant impact of environmental planning on rural development. Environmental planning helps in the development of rural community. Environmental planning is essential for community development. Adequate environmental planning improves community development. This study seeks to draw attention to rural environment for planning and development.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    i

Approval Page    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    ii

Declaration    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    iii

Dedication    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    iv

Acknowledgement    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    v

Abstract    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    vi

Table of Contents    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    vii

CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study    -    -    -    -    -   

1.2    Statement of General Problem    -    -    -    -   

1.3    Objective of the Study    -    -    -    -    -    -   

1.4    Research Questions    -    -    -    -    -    -   

1.5    Hypothesis   -      -      -      -      -      -      -        -        -        

1.6    Significance of the Study    -    -    -    -    -   

1.7    Scope of the Study    -    -    -    -    -    -   

1.8    Definition of Terms    -    -    -    -    -    -   

CHAPTER TWO – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1    Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

2.2    Theoretical framework-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   

2.3    Elements of rural environment-    -    -    -    -    -    -   

2.3    Empirical review-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

CHAPTER THREE – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1    Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

3.2    Research Design    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

3.3    Area of the Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

3.4    Population of Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

3.5    Sample size and Sampling Techniques    -    -    -    -    -

3.6    Instrument for Data Collection    -    -    -    -    -    -

3.7    Validity of the Instrument    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

3.8    Reliability of the Instrument    -    -    -    -    -    -

3.9    Method of Data Collection    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

3.10    Method of Data Analysis    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

CHAPTER FOUR – DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.0    Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

4.1    Data Presentation and Analysis    -    -    -    -    -    -

4.2    Characteristics of the Respondents    -    -    -    -    -

4.3    Data Analysis    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

4.4    Testing Hypothesis    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

4.5    Summary of Findings    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

4.6    Discussion of Findings    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

CHAPTER FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0    Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

5.1    Summary    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

5.2    Conclusion    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

5.3    Recommendations    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

    References -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

Appendix    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the study

Environmental planning the process of facilitating decision making to carry out development with the consideration given to the natural environmental, social, political, economic and governance factors and provides a holistic frame work to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Environmental planning concerns itself with the decision making processes where they are required for managing relationships that exist within and between natural systems and human systems. Environmental planning endeavors to manage these processes in an effective, orderly, transparent and equitable manner for the benefit of all constituents within such systems for the present and for the future. Present day environmental planning practices are the result of continuous refinement and expansion of the scope of such decision making processes. Some of the main elements of present day environmental planning are:

⦁    Social & economic development

⦁    Urban development

⦁    Regional development

Natural resource management & integrated land use

⦁    Infrastructure systems

⦁    Governance frameworks

The environmental planning assessments encompass areas such as landuse, socioeconomics, transportation, economic and housing characteristics, air pollution, noise pollution, the wetlands, habitat of the endangered species, flood zones susceptibility, coastal zones erosion, and visual studies among others, and is referred to as an Integrated environmental planning assessment. It is the ability to analyze environmental issues that will facilitate critical decision making.

Traditionally, environmental planning has been based predominantly on the interdisciplinary study of environmental systems, based mainly in the sciences and economics. The underlying value system has essentially been an economic market model. Some researchers believe that this approach does not capture the wide range of societal values and concerns about the environment and are suggesting a more multi-disciplinary approach that emphasizes long-term resource management and sustainability.

New approaches are emerging that combine interdisciplinary science, ecological economics, and social sciences.  Most importantly though are the collaborative processes which aim to integrate a wide range of values and perspectives in environmental management. The ecosystem approach focuses on a new scientific framework from which to examine environmental problems, it focuses on an expanded definition of ecosystem.

1.2    Statement of the problem

Rural areas in Nigeria, over the years, have been observed to have suffered from utter neglect (Olatubosun 1975, Mabogunje, 1968 ) and exhibit what has been aptly described as 3Ds namely: depression, degradation and deprivation (IgieborNosa et. Al (1986a) The colonial administrators consistently adopted a nonchalant, yet exploitative attitude towards rural development through neglect, through meager budget allocation to rural sector and through failure to provide rural amenities and facilities (Olatubosun 1978 cited by Falade 1990). Viewed against the background of the fact that rural areas in Nigeria provides jobs for over 70% of the population and accounted for 84% of the Nation’s GDP at independence and about 60% as at 1965, the neglect suffered by the rural areas is pathetic and inexcusable.

1.3    Significance of the study

Rural development need to be looked into closely with relevant environmental objectives and targets if they are to effectively progress towards environmental planning. This study seeks to draw attention  to rural environment for planning and development.

1.4    Objectives of the study

The objectives of this research include but not limited to;

1. To evaluate the impact of environmental planning on rural development.

2. To determine if environmental planning help in the development of rural communities.

1.5    Research questions

In order to achieve the above stated objectives, the following questions were asked;

1. Is there a significant impact of environmental planning on rural development?

2. Does environmental planning help in the development of rural communities?

1.6    Research hypotheses

Ho: is no significant impact of environmental planning on rural developmentThere.

Hi: There is significant impact of environmental planning on rural development.

Ho: Environmental planning does not help in the development of rural communities.

Hi: Environmental planning helps in the development of rural communities.

1.7    Limitations of the study

The study was limited by two major factors; financial constraint and time. Insufficient fund and time tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in theprocess of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.8    Scope of the study

The study focuses on the impact of environmental planning on rural development using Uli Local Government Area of Anambra as a case study.

1.9    Definition of terms

Environment: This is the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

Planning: This is the process of making plans for something.

Environmental Planning:Is the process of facilitating decision making to carry out development with the consideration given to the natural environmental, social, political, economic and governance factors and provides a holistic frame work to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Development:Is the process of developing or being developed.

Rural Development: Is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas.

REFERENCES

Holmberg, J. (Ed.) (1992). Making Development Sustainable: Redefining Institutions, Policy, and Economics. Washington, DC: Island Press. London, S. (1995).Building collaborative communities. A paper prepared for Pew.

Miller, S.E., Shinn, C.W. & Bentley, W.R. (1994). Rural Resource Management: Problem Solving for the Long Term. Ames, IA: University of Iowa Press.

Murray, M. & Dunn, L. (1996).Revitalizing Rural America: A Perspective on Collaboration and Community.Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons. MultiMag Michigan.(1997). Keweenaw County, Michigan.Retreived from the world wide.

Randolph, J. & Bauer, M. (1999) Improving Environmental Decision-making through Collaborative Methods. Manuscript submitted for publication in Policy Sciences

Sargent, F.O, Lusk, P, Rivera, J.A, & Varela, M. (1991).Rural Environmental Planning for Sustainable Communities. Washington, DC: Island Press.