Restoration Of The Neglected Green Spaces In Owerri Urban -The Case Of Aladinma Estate And Emmanuel College Layouts In Owerri Urban

Abstract

A well-balanced urban environment can enhance living conditions and the quality of life of urban residents. The pressures of urban life in some developing countries often make it difficult for the residents to take care of the environment. Urban schemes and developments in the urban areas have created high concentration of urban residents and consequently generation and improper disposal of refuse. Planning authorities have created green spaces within neighbourhoods and layouts in order to enhance the urban environment. However, these spaces have become neglected, misused and negate the urban environment. Some of them have become refuse dump sites. The study was on the neglected greenspaces in Old Owerri urban. This paper will focus only on the conditions of the neglected green spaces in Aladinma estate and Emmanuel College layout and how they could be restored to enhance the urban environment.  The study of these spaces reveals that they could be restored as useful well planned green spaces after stopping the dumping of refuse. The study was a survey research using questionnaires administered on residents of some randomly selected layouts in Owerri. Obtained data was analysed using the frequency distribution, Chi square and the Spearman Rho statistical tools. Findings reveal that if proper waste disposal system is developed these spaces could be made available as well-functioning green spaces, thereby improving the quality of urban life in these layouts.