The Importance of the Military in the Nation - Assignment Example

? KADUNA PROJECT al Affiliation) Key words: Kaduna Project, architecture Table of Contents Introduction 3 Context 4 Scenario Building and SWOT Analysis 5 Planned Spatial Planning Technique 6 Neutral Spatial Planning Approach 6 Uncontrolled Spatial Planning Approach 6 Analysis and development 7 Population 7 Transport 7 Urban Sprawl 7 Urban development 8 Objectives for development 8 Transport network 8 Energy infrastructure 8 Regeneration of the city 9 Sustainable development 9 Funding 9 Conclusion 9 Reference 12 Introduction The paper emphasizes the importance of military in the nation. When military has educated personnel, the organization can easily be convinced to surrender the ground and airport to the city especially the North West side. This will give an ample room for city’s growth and use of the airport in addition the university can be created at the military ground. Additionally, the added space can offer a new central and financial district. Historically the North and South have divided on religious grounds; therefore, when the CBD is centralized it will be helped by the division. Conventionally, Africa has developed a focus on telecommunication and Agriculture. The Chinese have developed an interest by constructing the railways, setting up agriculture zones, setting aside the economic town development and city growth. They have also prioritized on farming and national park. Assuming the military refuses to give up the ground, a lot will be focused on the Central District by converting into the combination of commercial and residential and combining with the cultural centers that will assist in the medium growth rate scenario. On the map it has been mentioned that transport hubs, railways, and new road are present. The China government is putting up a railway that runs to Abuja. On the map, the railway connects the town center, to farming land, and runs to Abuja (Okoro, Chikuni and Govender, 2012). Therefore, the paper discusses and examines the development and planning challenges that face the area of Kaduna, Nigeria. The report will highlight issues like the current transport infrastructure, economic trend, land use, and the economic status to determine the spatial planning mechanisms that could be employed in helping the city grow and adapt over the coming years. Additionally, the paper draws on the forum discussions in addition spatial planning and independent analysis and spatial planning literature to offer a perspective vision of Kaduna in future. The paper will start by explaining the context of the region in respect to its economy, demographics and other crucial and fundamental issues. The paper will also discuss the SWOT analysis of the current state of Kaduna, and build the future scenarios found on it. The development and analysis portion will follow, looking how the spatial planning could be of help to Kaduna (Reuters Africa, 2010). Context In Nigeria, Kaduna is ranked third in population. The state occupies more than six million people; this is as per the 2006 census. The population of Kaduna in increasing at the rate of 3.3% annually, this is according to the National Planning Commission in 2006. Kaduna City is Kaduna City capital and it has 1.2 million people. The city of Kaduna is beneficially found within the state, and is found close to the geographical center and is important from closer proximity of a river that runs horizontally over the territory is described by the medium to low population density. Kaduna has few contextual limitations that are crucial for the spatial planning research carried out. For instance, one of the crucial factors facing the town is absence of public infrastructure. This entails water, waste, electricity, and drainage solution. Another critical challenge facing the city is the religious rivalry between the Christians and the Muslims populations. The Northern part of the city is populated with Islam’s; in addition there is a huge number of Christian who also occupies the city. The religious rivalry is present in the area since the colonial time. This is crucial as it was at similar time that most of the infrastructure of the city was created. This entails the rail and the road system that was developed when the past small towns became the capital for colonialists. One of the outright of the religious rivalry is the Muslim and Christian riot that took place thirteen years ago. Additionally, there are some ethnic fraternities in Kaduna and rivalry is present between them. Some of the groups that are non-indigenous are sidelined according to their education level and are unable to buy land or home. Geographically, the city is twenty thousand square kilometers. The city is twenty five long and its extension has been slowed by Kaduna River nearby. Manufacturing is rampant in the city and takes much of the city’s economy. Forty percent of the Kaduna city economy is focused on the agricultural and forestry pursuit. According to World Bank Nigeria needs between 8-10 billion dollars to address the concern of infrastructure (Thomas, 2009). Scenario Building and SWOT Analysis Before determining spatial planning to help Kaduna future development, it is crucial to look at the current issue that faces the area, both pros and cons. This will enable come up with the possible futures for the region, which became important in scenario building. Specifically, we obtained the clear picture of the current status of Kaduna using SWOT analysis. The strengths include; the river is a fundamental and important feature of the city issuing a vital water supply together with parkland that performs as attraction in the region. The transport link between north and south is developed well, plus the railway connection to Abuja city. The city also benefits from the international airport. In addition, the forests are important for economic benefits and for leisure opportunities. Conversely, the threats affecting the region is the multiple regulations planning framework in Kaduna. Also, there is religious segregation and rivalry that is not ending very soon. Additionally, there is nothing that prevents the uncontrolled development in the external regions of the region. Based on Kaduna’s analysis, the workshop group identified three techniques that are possible for the region (World Bank, 2009). Planned Spatial Planning Technique A favorable situation for Kaduna town would entail the combination of a system where land is controlled for planning purposes and also to facilitate the transportation infrastructure that would include a city tram service and new road connections. There would be increased usage of renewable sources of energy to facilitate sustainability and also improved management of waste. There will be a significant increase in the investment levels of the educational and agricultural sectors from the relevant bodies that are charged with this responsibility .The import and export sectors would also be improved in order to further the development of Kaduna. Income will be generated from a myriad of avenues including selling of land, a functional tax regime, and the exportation of agricultural products. Neutral Spatial Planning Approach The neutral approach would facilitate steady growth that would culminate in an ever increasing urban sprawl. Power distribution and waste management would pose major problems due to the increasing population and hence making the plan unsustainable (World Bank, 2012). Uncontrolled Spatial Planning Approach In the absence of any form of control or planning then an urban sprawl would develop in Kaduna. The stature of the city would deteriorate because of the lack of funding for development of infrastructure coupled with the over reliance on the state for funding and proceeds from the sale of oil. The decline of the city will be accompanied by diseases and hunger which would lead to the eventual fall in the population of the city (Maier, 2000).  The main objective of our study is centered on development and progress and therefore the Planned Spatial Planning Approach is the one that shall be considered for the remaining section of the report Analysis and development From the SWOT analysis conducted it is clear there are issues that will have to be discussed. The discussion of such issues is what formed the foundation of the second group workshops. The issues included Population A major challenge for Kaduna is its population growth rate. The population growth rate affects Kaduna from both an economic standpoint as well as from an infrastructure perspective. In a situation where only a small proportion of the population is considered rich, spatial planning will therefore have to find a method of maintaining the favorable standards as well as improving the depleted areas. Transport While majority of the transport sector in Kaduna is in favorable condition there are still areas for improvement. The bus service needs to be improved and also a means a decongestion the southern region must be found because almost half of the traders come from that particular region. Urban Sprawl There are no official boundaries in Kaduna leaving the River to act as an informal boundary with few informal settlements to the western and southern regions. The development of the western bypass has led to the development of informal settlements with the majority of urban development taking place in the north south axis which explains as to why the city is 25 km long and only 8 km wide (Lloyd-Jones, 2011). Urban development Urban development in terms of both industrial and residential development has mostly taken place to the south of the river meaning there is an increased demand for space and property in that area. Objectives for development The following are the areas that should be improved in order for the development of Kaduna town: Transport network An improved transportation network guarantees increased population mobility and providing links that could be economically beneficial. A high speed railway line would link Kaduna city with the airport along with other major cities in Nigeria. Kaduna would serve as an interlink especially strengthening east-west connections. Other projects to improve the transport system include an improved bus service and the development of a new ring road to ease congestion and improved mobility. Energy infrastructure The energy infrastructure is to serve as a support system for the transportation sector. The energy infrastructure will focus mainly on energy efficiency and the management of waste (“Human Rights Watch”, 2006). Currently about 90% of the Nigerian economy is dependent on crude oil which makes diversification become a very important issue. Also currently about 22% of the energy capacity is going to waste because of the use of inefficient energy processes. Kaduna plans to build a biomass power station accompanied with a reforestation plan in order to ensure sustainability, the establishment of a new waste management system and the installation of a hydro treatment plant in order to reduce the reliance on the river. Regeneration of the city Currently there is much land available in the North West area of the river. In order to encourage the development of these areas there are plans to build iconic buildings, high end retail, a business district and public transport links. The development of green spaces and sport facilities would also lead to a regeneration of the current shopping and trading areas (Falola, 1999). Sustainable development The following are the steps undertaken in order to ensure that sustainability is maintained; putting in place plans to regulate development, support employment of locals through training programs, subject towns to planning orders. Funding The following are the sources that have been identified as potential sources of funds; a sustainable development fund through the usage of World Bank bonds and a clean development mechanism that would assist nations achieve their emission targets (CDM, 2012). Conclusion Most of Kaduna’s challenges seem to result from the lack of infrastructure. Also there are historic issues such as religion tensions that inhibit its full potential. These myriad of factors need to be considered in the spatial planning model .Despite the numerous challenges Kaduna is also a place of immense opportunities and potential especially with regards to its manufacturing industry .The group discussions were undertaken in order to share the ideas in order not only to understand the problems facing the city but also to come up with viable solutions to the problems in order to bring about a positive change for the future of the city. Reference CDM. 2012. About CDM. http://cdm.unfccc.int/about/index.html accessed 11/1/2012. Falola. 1999. The History of Nigeria. Greenwood Publishing Group: Westport. Human Rights Watch. 2006. Government Discrimination against Non-Indigenes. http://hrw.org/reports/2006/nigeria0406/5.htm accessed 10/1/2012. Lloyd-Jones, T. 2011. Analysis of Economic Development in Kaduna State and City. http://www.westminster.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/81169/Working-Paper-Economic-development-in-Kaduna-State-and-City-170211V3.pdf accessed 10/1/2012. Maier, K. August 14th, 2000.  “Northern Exposure: Northern Nigerian states adopt Sharia”.  The New Republic 223 no. 7. Okoro, O.I., Chikuni, E. and Govender, P. Prospects of Wind Energy in Nigeria. http://active.cput.ac.za/energy/web/due/papers/2007/023O_Okoro.pdf accessed on 10/1/2012. Reuters Africa 2010. “Fitch Affirms Nigeria’s Kaduna State at B+/A+ nga”. http://af.reuters.com/article/idAFWLA079420101214 accessed 10/1/2012. Thomas, M.A.M. 2009. Education needs assessment for Kaduna City, Nigeria. MCI Social Sector Working Paper Series. World Bank 2009. Africa’s Infrastructure: A time for transformation. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTAFRICA/Resources/aicd_overview_english_no-embargo.pdf accessed 10/1/2012. World Bank 2012. A Sustainable Investment Opportunity. http://treasury.worldbank.org/cmd/htm/about_sustainable.html accessed 11/1/2012. Read More