Impact of Globalization on the Local Built Environment and the Emergence of Architectural Anarchy in Nigerian Urban Centres: A Case Study of Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Type Journal Article - Journal of Human Ecology
Title Impact of Globalization on the Local Built Environment and the Emergence of Architectural Anarchy in Nigerian Urban Centres: A Case Study of Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 22
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2007
Page numbers 41-46
URL http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JHE/JHE-22-0-000-000-2007-Web/JHE-22-1-000-000-2007-Abstrac​t-PDF/JHE-22-1-041-07-1572-Bello-Y-O/JHE-22-1-041-07-1572-Bello-Y-O-Tt.pdf
Abstract
Globalization, the growing integration of communities and societies around the world, has been one of the
most hotly debated topics in international economics over the past few years. Its impact, both negatively and positively
on economy of individual nations has been a subject of controversy. The aim of this study is to assess the implications
of globalization as it is manifested in the emerging architectural anarchy in Nigerian Urban centres with Ogbomoso as a
case study. The study has been limited to a few areas in Ogbomoso to serve as an example of what obtains in other areas
both within and outside Ogbomoso. The study has made an exhaustive review of literature on globalization and
architectural principles. This was followed by field survey of architectural buildings within the selected areas of the town.
The impact of globalization on the local built environment was investigated using the concept of architectural composition
as tools to measure the degree of anarchy in the study area. Evidences of architectural anarchy were found all over the
areas surveyed. These include: Inadequate spacing between buildings; Lack of adequate setbacks of buildings to the road;
Conversion of buildings to other uses different from the original purpose e.g. residential buildings to either commercial
or religious buildings; Lack of appropriate and functional zoning system; Poor drainage; Lack of open spaces and green
areas; Location of schools in market areas. The analysis revealed that globalization has contributed immensely to the
over-heated economy of the nation. This in turn has impacted on the masses the craze for wealth and lack of respect for
orderliness in the execution of building projects. The resultant effect is chaos, shamelessness, the winding rivers are dark
with pollution, the spreading sub-burbs have no centers of life or evidence of individual distinction. The economic forces
has pulled population into the urban centre so rapidly in recent years that we have not been able to catch up with
ourselves as well as with the care of the environment.

Related studies

»