Paper Details

The study examines the effect of poor urban planning and ineffective development control on flooding in Katsina-Ala town, Benue State. The research employed a mixed methods design in which qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Secondary data from Benue state urban development board on master plan and development control standards/measures as well as development permits were used. Primary data was collected through field observations, interviews and questionnaire administration. The field survey employed purposive non-probability sampling techniques where five residential zones that were affected by the disaster within the study area were selected for questionnaire administration to test the three null hypotheses formulated. The respondents for the survey were selected randomly from five residential zones affected by recurrent flooding. Fifty respondents were selected from each of the five (5) sampled settlement zones given a sample size of 250 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the recurrent flooding in Katsina-Ala town is occasioned by poor urban development and ineffective development control and has significant socio-economic effect on the lives of the inhabitants and also has significant effect on the environmental condition of the inhabitants. The study recommends among others integration of flood risk assessment into the planning process, enforcement of strict zoning laws that limit construction in vulnerable areas and encouragement of community participation in the planning process. Key words: Poor Urban Planning, Ineffective Development, Flooding, Risk Assessment, Environmental Management