Retail Activities in The Neglected Green Spaces in Owerri Urban: Assessment of Ikenegbu And Aladinma Northern Extension Layouts

Abstract

Urban areas experience the pressure of economic activities due to the law of demand and supply. Human activities within the respective layouts generate a surge and demand of economic activities that make it imperative for planners to ensure adequate spatial provisions for exchange of goods and services within the respective neighbourhoods. The absence of neighbourhood shops in layouts in Owerri to accommodate retail activities in the layouts create opportunities for residents to use available spaces without identified specific functions for these activities. Neglected green spaces within the neighbourhoods, though structured into planning schemes have been misused and have become attractive for indiscriminate economic activities and negate the urban environment. The study was carried out on layouts in Old Owerri urban to find out how the neglected green spaces in layout could be used as well planned informal spaces for these retail activities that will offer relaxation and quick access to goods and service. This research will however focus on the findings for Ikenegbu layout and Aladinma Northern extension layouts only.   The study was survey research using questionnaire administered on residents of 7 randomly selected layouts in Old Owerri urban after which 2 layouts were extracted for this study. Obtained data was analysed using the frequency distribution and the Chi square statistical tools. Findings reveal that if these spaces are integrated into the neighbourhoods, they would fulfill spatial demands for small neighbourhood retail outlets in Ikenegbu layout and Aladinma Northern extension layouts as well as relaxation for their residents and hence would improve quality of life of the residents.