WILBERFORCE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (WJSS)
ISSN: 2504 – 9232
Volume 8, No. 1, January, 2023
Pages 110-127
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/2202.80.0160
ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN YENAGOA CITY OF BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA
KENIBOLAYEFA MICHAEL OWOTA & OYINTONYO MICHAEL-OLOMU
Abstract
This study investigates the classification of socio-economic zones in Yenagoa city and its implication to development in the city. It is argued that emerging cities develop faster when classified into socio-economic zones. The study generated data from personal observations and an in-depth analysis of secondary data from relevant government publications, books, journals and commentaries. The city of Yenagoa was divided into six ecological zones: The Fast-Emerging Big Commercial Zone, the Medium and Small Commercial Zone, Government Residential and Planned Zone, Indigenous/Non-Commercial Zone, Medium/Low Residential Zone, and the Suburbs. The study looks at the proposed master plan for the State and the socio-economic implications of the lack of implementation of the Yenagoa city master plan. The findings show that Yenagoa is yet to attain a standard city status. This is evident in the dualism pattern of residence with buildings being incongruous and residential areas co-existing with prayer houses, social club sand schools. The study, therefore, recommends that the State government should make a conscious effort to implement and develop sustainable city development plans that will endure evenness if there is a change of Government. The government’s land allocation policy should be done by categorising the city into well-recognised zones that can be easily identified and not the inappropriate situations the city currently inhabits.
Keywords: City, Concentric zone model, Ecological zones, Master plan, Yenagoa