Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences: Home

Article Title:
Spatial Growth of Cities and Urban Flash Floods in Owerri Municipal Area of Imo State, Nigeria
by Christian Nnamdi, Chibo and Doris Ujiro, Okeke

Abstract:
The study investigated spatial growth of cities and the occurrence of urban flash flood in Owerri Municipal. This it does with the aim of evaluating the contributions city growth made to the rise of incidence of flash flood in Owerri Municipal. The major objectives of the study include to: identify the areas liable to flash flood in Owerri Municipal; identify factors responsible for flash flood in the area; and examine ways spatial growth in the Owerri Municipal has contributed to the evolution of flash flood. Both primary and secondary data were used in the course of this research. The primary data were obtained through questionnaire, physical observation, photographs and interview, while the secondary data include textbooks, newspapers, bulletins, seminar papers, conference papers, research papers, magazines, journals, dictionaries and maps. 527 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the original five villages that make up Owerri Municipal. Tables, percentage, charts, graphs, models, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC), and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical tools were used to present and analyze the data. Three hypotheses were tested and the following findings were revealed: there is a very strong relationship between growth of cities and urban flash flood; urban flash flood has effect on the activities and individuals in the study area; and there is a significant variation in the distribution of urban flash flood in the study area. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that: effective sustainable drainage systems should be put in place; drainage efficiency should be improved; and flood plains should properly be managed by the River basin Authority. It was also recommended that planning authorities should carry out their duties strictly without compromise.

Keywords: Owerri Municipal, Flooding, City, Flash Flood, Spatial Growth, Urban Development

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