whole essay - ahmed

To what extent can the problems of urbanization be met by a policy of sustainable development?

Sub-title :

How can urban agriculture resolve problems such as: urban poverty, food security and the need for environmental conservation in Lagos, Nigeria?


ABSTRACT:


Today with technology and urbanisation in developing countries you will find that there are many problems due to people who are moving from rural to urban areas.
The problems can affect on environment , society and people who are suffering from urbanisation . In this research I will examine the important issues in relation to the experiences of Lagos , Nigeria such as urban poverty, food security and the need for environmental conservation .
In this case we will discuss how ‘urban agriculture’ can help to solves those problems of urbanisation in Lagos for each case and avoid them for the future , to be a sustainable development solutions.

Introduction :
This essay discusses how some problems caused by urbanization can be alleviated by developing urban agriculture. In order to examine this issue properly this essay will begin by providing definitions of the terms ‘urbanization’ and ‘sustainable development’. Sustainable development has been defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED 1987, p.43). There are two concepts that constitute the idea of sustainable development. The first is the idea that limitations must exist upon technology and social organization in order to ensure that natural resources can meet present and future needs. The second concept integral to the idea of sustainable development is that of needs, especially the basic needs of the world’s poor (Ibid.). Urbanization refers to process that leads to the development of towns and cities (Giddens 2000, p.571). Over the last century urbanization has increasingly become a global process which has had significant ramifications on the developing world. Almost all growth prior to 1900 occurred in the West. There was some urban expansion in cities in the developing world over the following fifty years, but the majority of urbanization in these areas occurred in the last half-century (Ibid. p.572). Urban populations are growing at a faster rate than the world’s overall population. The United Nations (UN) has estimated that 63 per cent of the world’s population will live in urbanized areas by 2025 (Ibid. p.273). The rise of rapid urbanization leads to a variety of problems which are perpetuated as population increases. I have chosen to focus on the following problems caused by urbanization: urban poverty, food security and the need for environmental conservation. These issues will be examined in relation to the experiences of Lagos, Nigeria.

Rapid urbanization, which is often left unchecked, is common in major cities in the developing world, Lagos being no exception. This accelerated development has led to unplanned expansion, ill-ventilation and an essentially ‘unhealthy’ city (Adedej & Ademiluyi 2009, p.44). The Nigerian metropolis Lagos has become the economic centre for the country and has been classified as the sixth largest megacity in the world. However, the Lagos was also ranked last in terms of urban living standards among the 28 megacities ranked in 1991 (Ibid.). Despite being the Nigeria’s most populous state, Lagos is also its smallest in size (3577 km²). Lagos has been choked by hasty housing development resulting in ‘limited land’ (Abegunde et al 2009, p.1065). Furthermore, the megacity hosts many polluting industries and possesses the highest number of automobiles of any state in Nigeria (Ibid).

The unregulated urbanization that has occurred in Lagos had led to a multitude of problems. One of the key problems that requires urgent attention is that of urban poverty. A great deal of residents live in inadequate accommodation on land with short-term leases. Many others have similar housing on land that is not leased (i.e. squatting). The uncertain nature of tenancy in the city is a major obstacle to the development of areas occupied by the urban poor. The high levels of unemployment present in Lagos means that many residents live in poverty and struggle to support their families and satisfy their basic needs. In order to tackle poverty more job creation initiatives are required in order to provide greater employment and reduce the size of the poverty trap.

Another key issue facing the population of Lagos is food security. The ‘land ownership system makes it rather cumbersome for poor urban farmers to access land’ (Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.47). The lack of access to land makes it difficult for the urban poor to maintain any level of self-sufficiency. This makes it hard for the urban poor to grow their own food. This is one of the reasons why ‘the world’s poorest urban households spend between 50 to 90% of their income on food (Kerry 2004, cited in Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.47). Poor urban households become dependent on food that is transported into the city, which is then sold at higher prices due to transport costs. Population growth in Lagos ‘not only directly increases the demand for food, but also indirectly reduces its supply through building development, environmental degradation and the marginalization of food production’ (Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.45). As we can see from above, food security is a serious issue facing Lagos.

As mentioned above, it has been claimed that megacities that have experienced rapid urbanization can be regarded as ‘unhealthy’. The expanding population and under regulated polluting industries found in Lagos, have had negative effects upon “city ecology” (Ibid. p.47). The large number of automobiles and the severe lack of vegetation contributes to the reduction of air quality, which in turn has adverse effects on the health of Lagos resident’s. Rapid and unplanned urbanization has created an unnatural CO² balance in the city and has severely affected biodiversity (Ibid.).

In summary, we have identified three problems caused by urbanization which are adversely affecting the quality of life in the city of Lagos. The issues are: urban poverty, a lack of food security and the need for environmental conservation. In what way can these issues be met by a policy of sustainable development? It has been argued that all three of these problems can be addressed by implementing and promoting the use urban agriculture amongst the urban poor of Lagos. Urban agriculture has been defined by Smit et al (1966) as:
“an industry located within (intra-urban) or on the fringe (peri-urban) of a town, a city or a metropolis, which grows or raises, processes and distributes a diversity of food and non-food products, using largely human and material resources, products and services found in and around the urban area” (Ibid. p.44).

The crops yielded or the products produced by this method are usually supplied to the surrounding urban area. Urban agriculture can be seen as beneficial in a variety of areas. Firstly, it can help improve issues surrounding food security. The promotion of urban agriculture increases the amount of fresh food available in the city. Moreover, research has shown improvements in nutrition once urban families have begun to farm (IFPRI 2002, p.281 cited in Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.47). This exemplifies the positive effects on health that urban agriculture can bring. Furthermore, the development of urban agriculture allows cities to become less reliant on food imports. This then reduces overall cost as transportation fees are not incurred.

Secondly, urban agriculture can give greater financial empowerment to the urban poor and thus can be seen as a mechanism to help combat the high levels of urban poverty present in Lagos. It has been argued that urban agriculture can provide ideal employment opportunities to the urban poor as it provides jobs ‘in a sector with low barriers to entry’ (Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.47). Horticultural production can be exercised in many areas of Lagos. Although it provides more employment in peri-urban areas, waste land found in inner city areas can also be utilised, as well as previously unused sites such as rooftops. Produce and products derived from urban agriculture can generate ‘reasonable income and returns’ (Ibid.) helping to reduce poverty. Moreover, the success of urban agricultural sites can help attract further investment into such areas of Lagos. It has been argued that ‘plants generally enhance the economic and social values of the community’ (Abegunde et al 2009, p.1065), which brings clear advantages to urban areas. The state of the local economy can be improved by changing the economic value of the land through urban agriculture. In turn this may attract the investment of businesses such as restaurants. This solution can also help create other indirect economic advantages for the local economy. For example, by making use of organic waste (e.g. solid waste and waste water) waste management costs can be reduced (Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.47).

Thirdly, urban agriculture can also be seen as beneficial in the realms of environmental conservation. Energy and resources can be saved simply through reducing the distance that food has to travel from production to consumption site. By increasing the amount of food grown in urban areas dependency on imported food will be reduced (Ibid.). Furthermore, the poor air quality that plagues densely urbanized areas such as Lagos can also be addressed through the promotion of urban agriculture. This is possible due to the fact that ‘carbon related gasses generated in cities are utilised during plants photosynthesis’ (Abegunde et al 2009, p.1065). The oxygen released and the carbon captured during photosynthesis helps purify the CO² heavy air that causes health problems. Planting on waste land can also help prevent erosion and flooding. If sloping waste land is utilised it can be advantageous in regard to disaster mitigation (Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.47).

Despite the clear benefits of implementing and promoting urban agriculture there are also risks that need to be taken into consideration (Ibid.). One of the major problems that needs to be overcome is access to land. Urban farming has not been fully embraced by the correct officials and relevant intuitions. Because of this urban agriculturalists often face uncertainty over the lease of land. The fear of eviction prevents real investment in urban spaces and often only quick-yielding crops are planted in order to mitigate against this (Ibid.) ‘Land redistribution is contentious and politically complex’ (Ibid. p.48). Furthermore, the use of waste matter and water can also be dangerous if not undertaken properly. Liquid waste, such as pig slurry and flush waters must be properly processed before use on farms. When these practises are managed correctly the risk is significantly reduced (Flynch 1999 cited in Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.48). The ‘major danger in utilizing waste waters is food contamination by pathogenic micro-organisms and outbreaks of water-borne diseases’ (Adedeji & Ademiluyi 2009, p.47). However, overall it has been argued that such dangers only occur when ‘poorly treated waste water is used for irrigation’ (Ibid.).


Conclusion:

In summary, we have seen how rapid and unchecked urbanization in Lagos had led to many problems that need to be overcome. In this essay I have chosen to identify three issues that can be potentially overcome by implementing a policy of sustainable development. The problems are as follows: urban poverty, food security and the need for environmental conservation. The sustainable development policy examined has been urban agriculture. As we have seen, urban agriculture can help combat all three of these problems in different ways. The development of urban agriculture provides an opportunity to provide financial empowerment to the urban poor. By farming on waste land poorer sections of Lagos society are able to join a sector with low barriers and begin to generate their own income. In turn, we have seen how the development of green spaces can also attract further investment in these areas. Furthermore, I have outlined how by simply making use of waste land and resources the food security of Lagos can be greatly improved. A rise in urban agriculture will cause a growth in the amount of food available in Lagos. This also has health benefits. Lastly, I have attempted to show how the implementation of urban agriculture can help bring about cleaner air in Lagos, which is positive for all sections of Lagos society. The growth of green spaces can also help gentrify the city as a whole. The limitations touched upon show that urban agriculture as a solution is not simple. Uncertainty over how land-less households are able to acquire land is a definite problem. The re-use of waste resources also has to be done in rte correct fashion otherwise health risks can emerge. Waste resources must be properly processed to avoid the spread of disease. I would recommend that future research should concentrate on strengthening g the links between urban farmers and local government officials. There is a clear need to overcome the uncertainty surrounding the legality of urban land use and entrench the ideas into local government, as the benefits are not only enjoyed by the households that farm, but buy all sections of Lagos society. In conclusion, I argue that urban agriculture has a clearly positive part to play in overcoming issues of urbanization in Lagos. However, the correct infrastructure to support such schemes is required in order to ensure that risky farming methods are carried out properly. Moreover, clear regulation is required so that land can be fairly allocated to the households that want to support themselves through urban agriculture. When viewed in a holistic fashion, urban agriculture can provide great opportunity to confront issues that have arisen from urbanization.



Bibliography :

Abegunde et al (2009). ‘Commercial horticulture practise in Nigeria: Its socio-spatial effects in Lagos city’ African Journal of Agricultural Research. Vol. 4 (10), pp. 1064-1074, October
Adedeji, Oludare H. & Ademiluyi, I.A. (2009). ‘Urban agriculture and urban land use planning: Need for a synthesis in metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria’ Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, Vol 2 (3), pp. 43-50, March
Antai, D. & Moradi, T. (2010). ‘Urban Area Disadvantage and Under-5 Mortality in Nigeria: The effect of Rapid Urbanization’ Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 118 (6) pp. 887-883
Giddens, A (2001). Sociology, Oxford: Polity Press.
World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) (1987). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 43.