The growth of Awka, Anambra State’s satellite towns: the case of insecurity,rural to urban migration and urbanization consequences

Abstract

Awka, has had little noticeable urban development growths and the industries within are
struggling to survive. Visual amenities and the cultural contents are adversely abused by
unauthorized settlements and settlers without regards to the culture of the Awka indigenes. The
growth of Awka, Anambra State’s satellite towns resulted from insecurity in the country, rural to
urban migration and urbanization problems. This work aims to point to the fact that, the urban
actors in Awka, could take advantage of the urban development principles in planning the newly
growing satellite towns as practiced in most advanced countries in handling the population of
Awka and decongesting the area, at the same time, sustainably solving Awka’s urbanization
problems. This study adopted qualitative research method that embraced information from
secondary data sources including, literature reviews from journals, previous works and books.
The Awka’s development plan and process did not envisage that the area will grow as fast as it
did; hence the commencement of urbanization stampeded. Unfortunately, the unprivileged had to
arrange, on their own, where to live in order to stay close to work place and also reduce rent
incidence on their income and that resulted in shanty settlements. A good number of them are
moving into neighboring towns, Mgbakwu, Isu-Anocha, Nise, Nibo, Amansea, and all the way to
Onitsha, Ekwulobia, Adazi-Nnukwu, Ugwuoba, etc. Awka calls for a re-planning or redistricting
to allow for adequate zoning of the functions, and activities that would encourage proper growth
of the city. Adequate attention should be paid to the area’s urban architecture or urban design
attributes, and those are part of the problems with the area’s inappropriate growth and
development. Awka, one of the new state capitals in Nigeria is over populated resulting in a great
number of the people who would prefer to live within the city, found themselves outside the city
limits.