Effects of Urban Renewal on the Quality of Life of Residents in Katsina City, Katsina State, Nigeria

This study assessed the impacts of urban renewal projects on the quality of life of residents in Katsina City, Katsina State, Nigeria, with emphasis on social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Data were collected from 397 respondents through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including factor analysis. The findings reveal that respondents were predominantly male (73%) and married (70%), with 58% attaining tertiary education. Occupations were concentrated in farming, trading, and civil service, and most respondents (60%) earned below ₦800,000 annually. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of .629 and a significant Bartlett’s test (p < .001) confirmed the dataset’s suitability for factor analysis. Seven major components, explaining 59.2% of the total variance, were extracted, representing key domains of urban renewal: infrastructure development, domestic utilities, health facilities, open spaces and parking, communication networks, environmental improvements, and socioeconomic support. Perceptions of urban renewal were generally positive, with strong approval for projects addressing basic needs such as public standpipes (M = 4.71), clinics and primary healthcare centres (M = 4.68), and improved drainage (M = 4.67). Further results revealed strong social and economic outcomes, particularly in housing improvement (M = 4.67), job creation (M = 4.59), and income distribution (M = 4.54). However, environmental indicators such as air quality (M = 2.42) and cleanliness (M = 2.59) lagged significantly behind, suggesting limited ecological integration in the planning process. Overall, urban renewal interventions in Katsina City have contributed substantially to residents’ quality of life through improved services, infrastructure, and livelihoods, but environmental sustainability remains a critical shortfall. The study recommends a more holistic and participatory approach that prioritizes environmental management alongside socio-economic development in future urban renewal programs.