The Contribution Of Non-Town Planning Legislations/Policies To The Development And Practise Of Town Planning In Nigeria.

Abstract

Town planning is a dynamic profession that works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient and attractive places for present and future generations. It is therefore necessary for planning to be in control and take charge of the responsibilities of the emerging challenges as such, this paper examines the contribution of non-town planning legislation/policies in the development and practice of town planning in Nigeria. There are various legislations and policies formulated for the country that are both planning and non-planning in nature, but all these legislations and policies may not likely work if they are not interwoven or making any significant contributing to town planning practice in Nigeria. Among the notable ones are, the National Information Technology Policy, the nation’s policy on the Millennium Development Goals and The National Strategic Health Development Plan Framework, all of which have contributed in no small measure to the development and practice of town planning in Nigeria. There are other policies that can still contribute to the development and practice of town planning in Nigeria, but the problems are in the implementation and the superior claim of other professional to the town planning profession coupled the problem of relevant agencies being led by non planners rather than professional planners.

Keywords: Town planning, Legislation, Policies, Geographic Information System, Nigerian Information Technology Policy, Millennium Development Goals, National Strategic Health Development Plan Framework