Community-Driven Development (CDD) is a development approach which gives control of development decisions and resources to community groups. Community-based Organisations (CBOs) are the driving force of this development approach. This paper compares the mode of operation of CBOs in two geographically contrasting areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. Akure South Local Government Area (LGA), an urban hinterland, was compared with Ilaje LGA, a rural coastland. Stratified sampling was employed to gather data from 46 CBOs in the study areas with the aid of a questionnaire which was administered to elicit information from executive members of the CBOs. Data processing involved uni-variate analysis resulting in tables and charts to arrive at various conclusions. Findings revealed among others that there was a high level of dependence by CBOs in the rural coastland on the government for external funding while in contrast there was greater diversification in fund sourcing in the urban hinterland. Recommendations include evolving strategies such as operation of multipurpose cooperative stores by CBOs in the rural coastland to improve financial base in order to meet the needs of members and facility needs of host communities.

Beach tourism is a global phenomenon mainly in coastal areas of countries with unique and favorable shorelines. However, certain inland waterways serve same purpose of beach tourism. This research (as its objectives) exposes the condition of amenities, identifies associated socio-economic benefits and reveals problems confronting the Lokoja Confluence Beach in Kogi State, Nigeria. A survey design (with the aid of questionnaires and interview guide) was employed to obtain data from tourists, managers of the Confluence Beach and government officials at the State Tourism Board. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select respondent tourists. Univariate analysis was employed to obtain relevant information from collated data. The research findings revealed the existence of a few functional amenities and some uncompleted facility projects; diverse economic benefits to residents; problems of petty crime, diversion of funds and poor sensitization. Recommendations include provision of supplementary funds by the three tiers of government, development of strategic policy on marketing/sensitization and provision of amenities for indoor games close to the beach front.

The transport sector is an important component of the economy; impacting on development and the welfare of populations. Road transportation penetrates further into the nooks and cranny of the human environment than other means of transportation. This study probes again into the relationship between a viable transport system and economic development. Specifically, the intertwine between local economic development and road transportation is revealed. It pinpoints the unique functions and the associated benefits of road transportation in the development of local economies in Nigeria. Furthermore, a brief assessment (involving issues of road condition, adequacy and maintenance) of the road transport system in Nigeria is carried out. Drastic measures which include a holistic or integrated approach to road transportation planning and management are suggested in order to move the economy of the nation forward.

The unprecedented high rate of changes in the built environment and its adverse challenges on man has assumed a worrisome dimension. This has in no small measure confronted various professionals in the built environment without excluding the professional Town Planner. Cities must respond to changing needs of their population in the face of globalisation and limited local resources. This paper highlights the socio-physical components influencing the make-up and activities of the built environment. It equally exposes the factors responsible for recent changes within the built environment and goes ahead to reveal the challenges currently faced by professional Town Planners in Nigeria. The resultant emerging roles of the Town Planners in the twenty-first century are also discussed. It concludes by making recommendations to facilitate the execution of evolving Town Planners’ roles in the process of time.

Abridged Preface

The Federal University of Technology, Akure Campus Master Plan of 1988 was designed to provide a blueprint for physical development of the University Campus guided by Land Use zoning principles and certain relevant objectives. These aid the functionality of the campus environment in a blend of nature with anthropogenic resources. However, the present situation of physical development in the University calls for concern in the light of the deviations which have taken place with respect to this 1988 Master Plan. Additionally, the need and activities within the Campus environment have shifted greatly from the prior intentions of the 1988 Master Plan. The challenges of the 21st century have gone ahead to influence physical developments with Master Plans needing to accommodate such trend.

The 2013 FUTA Master Plan engages the input of staff and students of the prestigious University. Relevant sectors of the University provided necessary input in collaboration with the University Physical Planning Unit with extensive coordination and design by the University’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning. The involvement of the Students of the University satisfies a participatory role needed in modern times for a successful planning proposal.

The 2013 Master Plan takes into cognisance the various physical development challenges of the 21st century and the diverse dimensions and needs in the light of the Campus Design. Basic standards are considered within the context of globalisation while not ignoring the peculiarity of the local community. Issue of accessibility within and connecting the campus and a blend of natural and man-made aesthetics are considered. Also, flexibility to allow reviewed objectives, changing technology, expansion and changing circumstances are considered in this review. This review propels the existing situation forward with propositions to retain healthy developments while recommending a shift or adjustment in abysmal existing development trend.

The intention is to ultimately build a University of Technology Campus which meets the global standards in every sense hoping for strict compliance to the dictates of the Master Plan.

The aim of this study is to identify the tourism potentials of Ondo State and make a case for the marketing and development of the State. Stratified sampling method was used to select the surveyed tourist centres among the identified tourism potentials in the state, while random sampling was adopted to collect data and information from tourists and non-tourists at the visited tourist centres. The results show that lack of interest in tourism, low disposable income and the inability of people to know the tourist sites are factors limiting the tourism participation in Ondo State, as revealed by the data collected. The impacts of tourism potentials in the study area included boosting of income, employment and business. The study concludes that tourism participation does not depend wholly on the level of income. There are many challenges facing the sector in the study area. Some of which are lack of accommodation, lack of awareness, inadequate water supply, lack of adequate support by both Local and State governments to the tourist centres. The study recommends proper funding of the tourist centres by the state government and supports from the federal government, as well as appropriate packaging and marketing of the potentials of the tourist centres to meet international standards.

Festivals have become major tourist attractions on a global scale. Certain demand and supply factors have equally influenced the evolution of contemporary festivals. Mare festival in Idanre town was initiated in Ondo State, Nigeria in the year 2009. This paper reveals certain aspects involved in the administration of Mare festival from inception till date. Survey design was employed with the aid of questionnaire administration to obtain data from 200 households on 9 randomly selected streets of Idanre town. Collated data provided information on the component activities of Mare festival, creation of awareness, quality of accommodation and health facilities, and forms of entertainment among others. Findings reveal among other things that inadequate accommodation in the host community was well compensated for in the nearby capital city while health facility and personnel have performed so well during the festival. Most prominent problem identified was the traffic jam generated during the festival while recommendations are made to further involve the private sector in the sponsorship of component activities and the attraction of fast-food companies to provide food and drinks for tourists.

Poverty alleviation is the concern of individuals, governments and international organisations. However, Non-profit Organisations (especially those that are community-based) are not left out of the alleviation process since they are in direct contact with the menace and truly know the magnitude of the scourge. This paper reveals the contributions of Non-profit Organisations (NPOs) which are based in coastal areas of Ondo State, Nigeria towards alleviating the poverty of the residents. The research involved investigated the activities of Community-based Organisations (CBOs) in Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA) of the state through the administration of questionnaire to 230 household-heads. Stratified random sampling was applied to select settlements for the study using existing political wards as strata. Systematic sampling was further employed to select particular households for investigation. Among others, findings revealed a greater dependence on loan by residents as a measure to mitigate poverty and a corresponding high level of affiliation with cooperative societies in the communities. Recommendations include the need for CBOs to expand their scope for sourcing fund beyond reliance on membership contributions in order to meet the needs of the people they intend to lift out of poverty.

Provision of Infrastructure is a facilitator for economic advancement at various levels. The impact on local economic development and the mitigation of poverty is immeasurable. Lack of or poor infrastructure has always impeded economic development. In some cases, CBOs embark on physical development projects to provide amenities in their communities. This paper uncovers the impact of facilities provided by CBOs (especially the CDAs) in Ilaje Local Government Area (a coastal LGA) of Ondo State, Nigeria on the economy of residents. The data were derived from 230 respondents through the administration of questionnaire and participant observation. The questionnaire probed into the perceived level of contribution of each physical infrastructure (provided by the CDAs) to the economy of the residents. Facility Contributory Index (FCI) model was developed using likert’s scale to analyse levels of contribution of the facilities. The results revealed among other things that facilities for electric power generation ranked highest on the FCI Table of assessment while recreational facilities had least contribution to residents’ economy as a result of low provision and impact level. The relevance of effective power generating facility and other vital infrastructure to businesses and economic development was affirmed. Recommendations include policy review in order to facilitate collaboration between government, CBOs and NGOs with the intention to catalyse the efforts of CBOs in rural coastal communities.

Infrastructural provision is a catalyst for economic development at various levels. The influence on local economic development and the alleviation of poverty is unquantifiable. In some instances, CBOs embark on physical development projects to provide facilities in their communities. This paper exposes the relative impact of facilities provided by CBOs in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria on the economy of residents. 262 respondents of the LGA which were selected by stratified random sampling provided information through a questionnaire to reveal the degree of contribution of certain 10 facilities to their personal economy. Facility Contributory Index (FCI) model was developed using likert’s scale to determine various levels of contribution of the facilities. It was discovered among other things that Health related facilities ranked highest on the FCI Table of assessment while recreational facilities remain the least contributor due to low provision coupled with degree of contribution. Recommendations include a policy overhaul to establish partnership between government and NPOs in order to stimulate efforts of CBOs in local communities.