Exploring Peri-Urban Residential Land Demand Drivers in Akure, Nigeria: Insights and Implications for Urban Planning

Abstract

Aim: To investigates Peri-Urban Residential Land Demand in order to inform sustainable urban planning and development. Study Design: Quantitative Research. Place and Duration of Study: Oke-Odu, Ipinsa and Aule, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria, 2023. Methodology: The research utilized a quantitative approach to investigate Akure's peri-urban residential land demand. Google Earth, employing buffering techniques was utilized to identify property quantities in Oke-Odu, Ipinsa, and Aule peri-urban areas of Akure, Nigeria. Sample sizes were determined based on Kothari's formula, and a complete census of 27 estate surveying firms in Akure was adopted. Data SPSS was employed to analyzed the data collected, Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Weighted Mean Scores (WMS), Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test, were employed to analyze landowner responses. Results: The Finding reveals that Land affordability was highest in Oke-Odu (WMS: 4.25), market potential in Ipinsa (4.56), and employment proximity in Aule (4.20). Market potential (WMS: 4.18), land affordability (4.11), and job proximity (3.98), drove residential land demand. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed substantial differences in views of 11 factors influencing residential land demand. The three peri-urban locations differed in land affordability, market potential, workplace proximity, agricultural land benefits, locational preference, land speculation, strong population growth, low traffic congestion, topography, raw materials, and waste disposal space. Thus, the post-hoc test using Mann-Whitney U test displays the effect sizes (r) for each demand factor. Several factors had small effect sizes, indicating similar views. Oke-Odu and Aule had medium land affordability impact sizes (r: 0.337) and Ipinsa and Aule (r: 0.370. Additionally, significant disparities were seen in other areas. Oke-Odu and Aule differed in land affordability, agricultural land benefits, and habitation eviction. Ipinsa and Aule differed in land affordability, market potential, employment proximity, agricultural land benefits, locational preference, low traffic congestion, degenerating city core dwelling conditions, topography, raw materials, and waste disposal space. Oke-Odu and Ipinsa differed in market potential, workplace proximity, land speculation, low traffic, city core impoverishment and pollution, topography, and eviction experience. Conclusion: This study examined Akure's peri-urban residential land demand determinants' variability. While some elements driving residential land demand are well understood, peri-urban regions vary. Market potential, economic factors, land affordability, and location matter. Thus, this study suggests adapted urban planning strategies to satisfy local demand drivers, promote sustainable growth, and ensure housing affordability and availability.