Implications of changing land uses on physical environment in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The rapid rate of changing land use in urban areas has reached alarming proportions. The changes are observable along major transport routes particularly within the central business districts (CBD). The aim of this study was to assess the attendant problems as well as implications of changing land uses on physical environment in Calabar Municipality, the capital city of Cross River State in Nigeria. The study adopted the systematic random sampling technique in the administration of questionnaires. The sample size for this study was obtained from the total population number of residential, commercial and public buildings in the area which was 1,847. A sample of 461 was adopted for the study. Descriptive statistics was employed in the analysis of the data. The study revealed the factors influencing changing landuses in the area to include increase commercial activities, physical deterioration of the buildings, upgrading and accessibility of roads etc, it also revealed problems noticed along roads as a result of changing landuse and implication of changing landuse in the study area. The study recommends that the embarking on landuse and transportation studies, monitoring of landuses in the study area and others. This when done will bring about proper development.

Keywords: Land use, Property values, Parking space, Major roads, Traffic congestion