Impact assessment of encroachments along peri-urban areas, ecological zones, and floodplains in selected wetlands and waterways in Southwest Nigeria

Cities are characterized by high population density, modern amenities, and urban infrastructure. Considering the rate of urban growth around the suburbs, peri-urban regions are those located outside major cities, presenting a combination of urban and rural features, which means they are places with low population density that prioritize agribusiness, communal activities, and unspoiled landscapes. These lowland communities and the rapidly growing Lagos-Ogun floodplain demand strategic landscape design due to the widespread effects of floods and related risks in Southwest Nigeria. Due to their proximity to the Lagos shoreline and the urban infrastructure connecting them to the Lagos metropolis, these rising settlements need the regional and strategic physical design of the towns that are now known as “new Lagos Cities.” These settlements, located in Northern Lagos and also known as Development Pressure Areas (DPAs), are facing considerable development pressure from the nearby suburbs. The present study assessed the current characteristics of a few chosen residential and agricultural communities in DPAs, as well as the flood catastrophes that occurred between April and November 2023. The purpose of this article is to provide a regional conceptual framework and appropriate landscape planning as a means of reducing flood threats. The on-site data concerning the research were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study area is made up of five Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the three recognized ecological zones within them. They were mapped out and examined to determine the extent, impacts, and effects of the recurring flooding. Three town planners, one surveyor, one trainee surveyor, two landscape architects, and five freshmen from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning from different universities in Southwest Nigeria conducted the on-site assessments. The analysis took into account the following urban elements: population; land use; economic, physical, and social infrastructure; urban migration indexes regarding inhabitants and farmers; and other recognized urban traits associated with growing cities. The conclusion emphasized the urgent need for prompt action from governmental bodies, agencies, and professionals in urban and ecological planning to develop robust and sustainable solutions for reducing the effects of water damage and runoffs on the local population, on waterway networks, and on physical development in a city or region

Biology · Cartography · Floodplain · Geography · Wetland · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Geotechnical and construction materials studies · Groundwater and Watershed Analysis · Ecology