Land Use Conversion and Its Impact on Socio Economic Development in Northern Nigerian Urban Centres

This paper highlights the impact of land use conversion on the socio-economic development in Northern Nigerian Urban Centers. The problems associated with land use conversion in the study area range from traffic congestion leading to lack of parking space, to shortage of residential accommodation resulting from incessant land use conversion from residential to commercial use. Other challenges are pollution emanating from high traffic, overstretched infrastructure like power, water, roads, drainage, and other problems such as inaccessibility and lack of open space. Data were collected through document review on the factors of land use conversion, the socio-economic benefits of land use conversion and the challenges resulting from land use conversion in the study area. Finally, the study recommends sustainable solutions such as urban renewal programme aimed at phasing out all commercial activities that are not in conformity with planning specifications, re-planning of the area, creation of commercial hub, empowerment of the inhabitants and sanction of illegal conversion were proffered among others. This will aid and lead to having an environment that is convenience, functional, economic and aesthetic for living and working.