AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN FOR CRUSHER COMMUNITY IN LOKOJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF KOGI STATE

Urban renewal is very important to human life; it is ranked as one of the major three needs of man. As a unit of the environment housing has profound influence on the health, efficiencies, social behavior, satisfaction and general welfare of the community. It is the reflection of the best historical, social and economic values of a society and one of the best historical evidence of the civilization of a country. Objectives were spelt out in order to achieve the goal. The aim of this study is to assess the housing condition in Crusher, Lokoja Local Government Area, with a view to making physical planning proposals for improving the area. The objectives are, to Identify the physical and socio-economic characteristics of the area. To Examine the environmental quality of the study area, to examine the housing condition of the area. The approaches of this research consist of the field work as regard to the assessment of housing condition of Crusher Lokoja local government of Kogi state. The use of rough screening and weight screening method was carried out with the mapping and observation in all zones. The problems identified were poor Building orientation, poor building condition, Inadequate Facilities, Utilities and Services. Some of the findings are: General lack of maintenance: the general lack of maintenance problem that the study area has is that of refuse which the occupants dump in some open spaces. When wind blows, it scattered the dirt all over the area thereby making the environment to look dirty and un kept. Mixed land used: the study area is faced with two main mixed land use and this consists of residential and commercial. The study area is faced with some utility problems standard educational facilities, Good roads and pipe bone water e t c. which reduces the smooth running of activities by the occupant most especially during raining season. Shortage of housing stocks/ units: there is no shortage of housing stocks as most of the structures are owner occupier/inheritance. A proposal developed for the assessment of housing condition of Crusher is based on planning standard for infrastructures, transportation and other plans to achieve the set goal and objectives.