CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

Information can be defined as knowledge communicated by others or obtained from

investigation study or instruction. It could be the process by which the form of an object of

knowledge is impressed upon the apprehending mind so as to bring about a state of knowing

(Merriam-Webster, 1993). Technology on the other hand is the science of application of

knowledge to practical purposes. Information has undoubtedly played a very vital role in the

development of humankind. The emergence of ICT (Information and Communication

Technologies) since the 90’s, modified profoundly our urban environment and the way spatial

planning is implemented. Within the past decade, the new ICT resources have fundamentally

changed the way planners communicate and exchange information about the urban environment.

According to Rodriguez and Wilson (2000) ICTs “refers to technologies people use to share,

distribute and gather information and to communicate through computers and computer

networks. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), (2000) also

described ICTs as a complex varied set of goods, applications and services used for producing,

distributing, processing and transforming information. ICT has brought the world closer together

by improving the dissemination of knowledge, accelerating research, stimulating innovation and

facilitating collaboration (Ho, 2007).

Physical planning refers to the active process of organizing the structures and function to

ensure orderly and effective sitting (or location) of land uses. Adeniyi (1976) defined physical

planning as the design, growth and management of the physical environment in accordance with

1

predetermined and agreed upon policies, whereby balanced social and economic objectives may

be achieved. The objective of physical planning is to create or provide a pleasant healthful

physical environment for living, working, recreation and movement. There is need for physical

planning practices to be further developed in the light of the emergence of information and

communication technology. With ICTs actively shaping the goals and agenda of the planning

profession (Velibeyoğlu, 2004), they have become the paradigm of technological information.

Thus, the emergence of ICT has presented an opportunity for urban planners to cope with the

urban problems of today.

2

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Evolution of town planning administration in Nigeria

Spatial planning in a general sense was part of local indigenous administration in Nigeria,

long before the colonial administration. However, it was not until 1928 that planning was

regarded as a government activity in Nigeria. The enactment of Lagos Town Planning Ordinance

of 1928 in response to the fundamental drawback of 1917 Township Ordinance saw to the

creation of the Lagos Executive Development Board (LEDB). The Lagos Executive

Development Board was charged with the responsibility of planning and development of the city

(Amao & Ilesanmi, 2013). The LEDB undertook several assignments including reclamation of

swampy areas of Oko-Awo in the early 1930s and the resettlement of the displaced people from

the area to south of Yaba estate.

Several acts enacted after the Lagos Town Planning Ordinance of 1928 contributed

immensely to the evolution of town planning administration in Nigeria. The creation of the

Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in April 1966 by few practicing Town Planners in the

former Western Region under the leadership of Mr. S. O. Tokun, led to the enactment of bye

laws and regulations for would be Town Planners. By 16th of January 1988 Town Planners

Registration Council etc decree of 1988 was promulgated establishing a body to be known as the

Town Planners Registration Council. The Decree No.3 of 1988 thus empowered TOPREC with

the general duty of: determining who are town planners for the purpose of this decree; determine

what standard of knowledge and skill are to be attained by person seeking to become members of

the profession of town planning and reviewing those standards from this to fine as circumstance

may require.

3

Planning is a future-oriented discipline and it seeks to provide answers to the challenges

in the built environment. It requires adequate data to initiate and implement plans. These data

can be obtained from Information and Communication Technologies. The discomfort of urban

planners and local authorities in planning administrations in Nigeria regarding the technicalities

of ICT infrastructure has played a role in the present disregard and under-utilization of ICT in

Nigerian planning administrations.

4

CHAPTER THREE

ICT AND TOWN PLANNING ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA

3.1 Level of computerization in town planning administration

Computerization refers to the application of computer in performing operations. It plays

an important role in the planning profession. Computers can be used to collect, analyze and test

data. It can also be employed in the exchange of information electronically with other

professionals around the world. The use of computers in urban planning and city management

dates back to the end of 1960s, since then enormous steps have been done in this application

field. The development of   Information Technologies (IT) and the widespread diffusion of

personal computers nowadays allow the management of complex data and information bases to

support processes of government and management of the physical transformations (Campagna,

nd*).

Despite significant research on ICT and their general association with urban form and

economy, which has focused on agglomeration of economies, there has been little attention to the

interactions between ICT and urban planning administration in Nigeria. There are several factors

responsible for the low level of ICT and computerization in planning administration in Nigeria,

These factors include:

Relatively short history of ICT in Nigeria

Rapid change of ICT in Nigeria

Invisibility and complexity of ICT infrastructure.

i) Relatively short history of ICT in Nigeria: In Nigeria, information technology is rather a

recent phenomenon. Due to this, traditional town planning firms find it difficult to adjust and

incorporate the use of ICT in their planning activities/operations. Even with the development of

5

ICT and the prevalence of personal computers nowadays, traditional planners are unable to cope

with the complex and sophisticated nature of collecting and analyzing data with ICT

tools/resources.

ii) Rapid change of ICT in Nigeria: Fast changes of ICT and their impact on different aspects of

society prevent urban planning from dealing with the interaction between cities and ICT. The

urban planning’s incapability to track these changes results in speculation in planning

administration and a risk for planning professionals to assume technologically deterministic

views (Firmino, 2008). Moreover, urban planning may have been hampered in monitoring the

changing technological landscapes and addressing the resulting issues in a timely manner.

iii) Invisibility and complexity of ICT infrastructure: Unlike traditional urban physical

infrastructure, most ICT infrastructures are invisible to the public, being composed of

underground networks of cables and fibre optics, and satellite-based telecommunications

(Graham and Marvin, 1996). Batty (1990) also made the observation that “cities are becoming

invisible to us and this invisibility is increasing faster than our ability to adapt our research

methods to these new circumstances”. Since traditional urban planning has heavily depended on

visible and tangible space, urban scholars and planners in physical planning administration find

the invisible and intangible characteristics of ICT difficult to handle (Firmino, 2008).

3.2 Efficiency and effectiveness of information and communication technologies in

planning administration

Planners have been confronted with a question of information and communication ever

since the advent of their profession and especially since participation and public involvement

became a standard, and a required part of the procedure. The introduction of ICT provided for

6

the first time a communication option they can use efficiently. Simple data access or information

exchange can be made with the simplest tools, and technical requirements for their use are

practically minimal. However, it is the most sophisticated technologies that have the highest

potential to substantially increase the efficiency and effectiveness of planning. They provide the

interactive real time communication that can be employed throughout every planning stage, be it

a pre-planning survey, plan-making itself, or the decision-making process. However, the

technical and know-how requirements for their use are substantial as well.

Not all information and communication technologies are equally functional. Some of

them may be employed throughout the whole planning process in planning administration, while

others may provide good service only for a part of the process, or serve at a particular stage. The

more sophisticated they are the broader and more extensive their application and capacity for

producing a desired result in the best possible way and least wasteful manner.

The effectiveness and efficiency of ICT in planning administration can be viewed from

the following categories.

i) Data Management: Planners make use of data in their everyday activities. This statistical

information is required for decision-making and planning purposes. Proper handling and prompt

access to these data are necessary for achieving planning goals. Without compromise or bias,

ICT tools such as SPSS is viable and versatile enough to handle all these information with an

advantage of prompt access, correction and easy manipulation.

ii) Data Analysis: Analysis and manipulation of data becomes virtually daily

planning practices. This is contingent upon the changing trend of information as a result of

finding of research. An epic of data and information is required by planners so as to be effective.

ICT have offered all its takes to get these done with appreciable ease and convenience.

7

iii) Word Processing: Computer offers immeasurable cost relief t o planners in the

aspect of word processing. Word processing programme enable planners to compose, edit and

produce written documents in a wide variety of formats. These written reports form a versatile

tool for written communication.

iv) Decision Making: The quality of information in any decision situation determines

the quality of decision. ICT enhance decision making process by providing quality information.

The decision making process includes:

Problem identification.

Developing alternative.

Choosing the best alternative.

Implementing the decision.

Control and evaluation of decision outcome.

3 .3 Factors affecting town planners in the effective usage of information communication

technology resources in planning administration

The ICT in general and some of the technologies (instruments) in particular, require a

sophisticated environment in order to be implemented and to work successfully. Some of them

can be successful only if a corresponding know-how is secured, or a technical infrastructure

developed. The more complex and sophisticated they are the higher the requirements they

impose. Traditional planners in planning administrations in Nigeria lack the appropriate

knowledge and skills required to operate or utilize these technologies due to the following:

low level of computer literacy

lack of awareness among planners

8

i) Low level of computer literacy: Low level of computer culture affects the use of ICTs in

Nigerian planning administrations. When planners are not computer literate, utilizing ICT

facility would be a problem. In other words, having a good background in computer skill makes

the use of ICT in town planning administration very practicable.

ii) Lack of awareness among planners: Lack of awareness on the other hand makes availability

impossible. Planners must be aware of the advantages of using ICTs in planning administration.

Training planners on the use of computer packages and other related technologies for services in

planning organization is very important.

The introduction of ICT into the equation of spatial planning is a major paradigm shift for

the traditional planner, and it often takes time before they can adjust. The lack of proper ICT

skills may curb a planner’s ability to produce high quality professional work.

3.4 Relevance of information and communication technology in town planning

administration

Planners have always sought tools to enhance their analytical, problem-solving, and

decision-making capability (Mandelbaum, 1996). From the late 1950s planners started to

develop and use computerized models, planning information systems and decision support

systems to improve performance (Brail 1987; Klosterman, 1990). By the late 1980’s ICT became

important in planning design. With the fall of ICT (Computers) hardware and software and the

advent of the internet and GIS in the late 1990’s ICT became an indispensable tool to planning.

ICT’s main role in planning is as an important tool for analysing data gathered from the

field. This is done through the various software such as ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel, SPSS, Google

Earth etc. Also, software is used to produce Master Plan Designs, the common ones are

AutoCAD, City Engine, ArchiCAD, CityCAD etc. other tools for Design include Lumion for

9

rendering to real life images. Google Sketcup, Maya 3D. Programs like ArcGIS, QGIS Google

Earth, Google Sketup used for analysis of physical attributes in the environment and as well

frequencies and similarities of occurrences (traffic) population, Land uses, etc. have given rise to

a new genre of planning design called geodesign. The two prominent tools used in plan designs

and gathering of data are:

Computer Aided Design (Autocad)

Geographic Information System

i) Computer Aided Design (Autocad)

AutoCAD is one of the most widely-used CAD programs in professional drafting.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a type of software designed to replicate the process of

architectural drafting in a computer environment, which yields many benefits over the traditional

process of hand drawing.

ii) Geographic Information System

Urban planning is one of the main applications of GIS. Urban planners use GIS both as a

spatial database and as an analysis and modelling tool. The applications of GIS vary according to

the different stages, levels, sectors, and functions of urban planning. Every day, planners use

geographic information system (GIS) technology to research, develop, implement, and monitor

the progress of their plans. GIS provides planners with the tools they need to design and map

their neighborhoods and cities. Planners can apply geographic information technologies in all

aspects of the planning process, including: data collection and storage, data analysis and

presentation, plan and/or policy making, communication with the public and decision makers,

10

and plan and/or policy implementation and administration. GIS also facilitate the decision-

making process. Planners use GIS primarily for mapping activities. As a toolbox, GIS allows

planners to perform spatial analysis using geoprocessing functions such as map overlay,

connectivity measurement, and buffering (Berry 1987; Tomlin 1990). Of all the geoprocessing

functions, map overlay is probably the most useful tool. This is because planners have a long

tradition of using map overlay in land suitability analysis which is itself an important component

in urban planning (Hopkins 1977; McHarg 1969; Steinitz et al 1976). The many benefits in using

GIS in urban planning include (Royal Town Planning Institute 1992):

Improved mapping;

effective thematic;

Mapping, and reduced storage cost;

Greater efficiency in retrieval of information;

Faster and more extensive access to the types of geographical information

important to planning and the ability to explore a wider range of ‘what if’

scenarios;

Improved analysis;

Better communication to the public and staff;

Improved quality of services, for example speedier access to information for

planning application processing.

11

Other relevance of information and communication technology to planning administration

includes:

It saves Time.

It makes Job Easier.

It enhances Accuracy.

It increases Productivity.

It increases competition among planning firms.

3.5 Negative effect of information and communication technology in planning

administration

The emergence of information and communication technology has posed many

challenges to the way things are done and how urban planning is done too. Indeed, the

transformations imposed by ICTs have been threatening the concepts about space, time and

cities.

ICT is a significant factor affecting spatial change and consequences can often be rather

unexpected. This necessarily provides planners with some challenging problems.

ICT discourages community participation.

ICT weakens capacity building.

i) ICT discourages community participation

Community participation concerns the engagement of individuals and communities in

decisions about things that affect their lives. It involves coming together of people in a

community to achieve a common goal. Technologies reduce the incentive for individuals and

communities to form strong social ties and, therefore, fail to encourage individuals to work

12

together and strive for a common goal. ICT replace robust, durable, and emotionally satisfying

social bonds with superficial and contingent ones.

ii) ICT weakens capacity building

Capacity building also referred to as capacity development, is a conceptual approach to

development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments,

international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their

development goals while enhancing the abilities that will allow them to achieve measurable and

sustainable results. ICT does not promote social connection but that they simply create weak,

fragile, and quite tenuous bonds that could splinter in times of great stress or duress. ICT might

actually encourage governments to distance themselves from truly interacting with their citizens,

especially since these technological links might only be able to generate superficial, digitally

contingent relationships.

13

CHAPTER FOUR

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The effects of ICTs on physical planning practice and spatial development are important

subjects which should be widely discussed by urban planners today. For planners to influence

spatial development, they will have to incorporate these effects of the development of the

information society and ICT into urban and regional planning. There are indications however,

that this has not been the case until now. This could be as a result of human resistance to change

which is normal. Almost certainly, a more pertinent factor is that planners are not fully aware of

these new development possibilities and they may think that the effects of ICT could be practical

in the current urban and rural structures available.

However, Information and Communication Technology holds a lot of prospects for the

future of the urban and regional planning profession. According to Velibeyoğlu, (2004)

computerized tools have opened up new opportunities for urban planners to improve their

professional practice. Thus, there is an immense need for further inquiry on the effect and impact

of the application of ICT in specific planning areas and for the development of new planning

theories, methods and models.

Recommended Strategies in incorporating ICT into physical planning practice should

involve creating environmental networks, organizing enlightenment campaigns about ICT

amongst city and rural area planners, developing the GIS technologies for use in urban and rural

areas for planning and design and re-training the present core designers and planners for

relevance in the information era.

14

REFERENCES

1. BAJIC BRKOVIC, M.: E-communication and e-services in urban management: current

trends and development perspectives in Yugoslav cities. In: F. Eckard: The European

City in Transition: Consumption and the Post-Industrial City. Peter Lang: Frankfurt/New

York, 2002.

2. BAJIC BRKOVIC, M.: The new information and communication technologies: a

challenge for urban planning and management. Background paper. Cities in a Globalizing

World: Global Report on Human Settlements 2001. United Nations Centre for Human

Settlements (Habitat), Nairobi, Kenya, New York, USA, 2001.

3. BAJIC BRKOVIC, M.: Digital democracy: towards more transparent urban planning and

management? Proceedings International Society of City and Regional Planners XXXVI

Congress. Cancun, Mexico, 2000.

4. Batty, M. (1990a) Intelligent cities: using information networks to gain competitive

advantage, Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 17, 247-256.

5. Batty, M. (1990b) Invisible cities, Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design,

17, pp. 127-130.

6. Berry, B. J. L. and Kasarda J. D. (1977) Contemporary Urban Ecology. New York:

Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.

7. Firmino, R. J. (2008) (Re) thinking Urban Planning: Urban-technology and Planning in

medium-sized cities in São Paulo, in: T. Yigitcanlar, K. Velibeyoglu and S. Baum (Eds)

Creative Urban Regions: Harnessing Urban Technologies to Support Knowledge City

Initiatives.

15

8. Hershey, PA.: IGI Global. (Forthcoming)Graham, S., & Marvin, S.(2000) ‘Urban

planning and the technological future of cities’. In J.O. Wheeler, Y. Aoyama and B.

Warf.(Eds.). Cities in the Telecommunications Age, pp.71-96. (New York,

Routledge).Graham, S.,& Marvin, S. (2001) Splintering urbanism.( London, Routledge).

16