This paper explores urban planning practice and urban
governance in Akure, Nigeria with the aim of determining
the relationship between them. The paper discusses how
planning can be used to promote and enhance good urban
governance in developing countries. The data set for the
study draws substantially from systematic survey of urban
planning activities and local administration in the area.
The paper found lack of linkage between urban planning
and governance in the city. While the state Department
of physical planning undertakes planning activities, the
local government on the other hand is responsible for
managing affairs of the city. The study also found that the
city growing without adequate conscious planning inputs
and no reference to planning by the managers of the city’
affairs as represented by the local government council.
The study emphasized the need to institute participatory
planning and good governance in developing societies.