Spontaneous Settlements: Roles and Challenges to Urban Planning

Abstract: Spontaneous settlements are referred to as an outward spread of built-up areas caused by expansion, with inadequate provision of facilities. The formation of spontaneous settlements is as a result of urbanization, where rents go high as the city evolves thereby moving the low income earners to the suburbs for easy access to places of opportunity for casual work at the same time not far away from the city. This study examines the characteristics of Spontaneous settlements, factors responsible for their existence, basic problems associated with Spontaneous settlements, their challenges to urban planning, efforts that have been put in place for checking spontaneous settlements and how effective they have been over time. The study specifically focuses on settlements in Iyana Iyesi, Mupin, Ayetoro areas in Ota, Ogun State. Data was collected through physical observations and questionnaires. Data was also obtained from published articles and from the National Population Commission census publication. Examination of an interpretation key, plotting of the study area, geo-referencing and editing of maps with ground data were done to have a precise view of the study area. From the analysis, the existence of high residential density, overcrowding, poor drainage network or lack of it and general poor basic infrastructure shows that, the study area is a typical depiction of a Spontaneous settlement. In concluding the paper, it posits making planning proposals and recommendations based on the findings, for upgrading of the Spontaneous settlement to be functionally effective. The paper also makes room for assisted spontaneous settlements to be considered as alternatives to administered settlements which will allow land to be invaded and then regularize the occupiers.