Urban Renewal And Its Implications For Displacement And Insecurity In Nigerian Cities

Abstract

Urban Renewal in Nigeria has increasingly been embraced as a tool for economic growth and infrastructure improvement in urban centres. In most instances, this leads to the eviction of residents while business operations are disrupted during physical renewal, creating displacement and insecurity. This paper presents an exploratory analysis of the implications of urban renewal-induced internal displacement in Nigeria from 2019 up to the present. The qualitative secondary data used include those from reviewed journal articles and relevant newspaper publications that clearly outline the relationship between urban renewal initiatives and internal displacement. Key findings were indeed a substantial nexus between urban renewal programmes and the displacement of less-privileged people, leading to increased feelings of insecurity in the affected communities. Guided by such knowledge, critical policy interventions suggested by this paper have included, among other things, the articulation of a clearly stated state master plan, widespread disseminated information about land use and topography, and improved inter-state cooperation. Such recommendations are significant in ensuring that urban renewal is inclusive and sustainable but not characterised by many incidences of displacement while at the same time ensuring that development in urban areas remains fair.