Journal of Environmental Science, Computer Science and Engineering & Technology

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1 JECET; December 2013 February 2014; Vol.3.No.1, E-ISSN: X Research Article Journal of Environmental Science, Computer Science and Engineering & Technology An International Peer Review E-3 Journal of Sciences and Technology Available online at Environmental Science The Use of Planning for Sustainable Disaster Management Kawuwa, A.S. 1, Dodo, Y.A. 2 & Ishaku, D.D. 3 1,2 Department of Architecture, ModibboAdama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria, 2 Department of Architecture, UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, 3 Department of Architecture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Received: 10 January 2014; Revised: 29 January 2014; Accepted: 15 February 2014 Abstract: Disasters and emergencies have turned back the hands of development clock by destroying years of efforts and labour and by so doing perpetuating poverty and underdevelopment through the destruction of infrastructure and other socio-economic investments. Inform of reconstruction efforts from both local and international monetary funds. The paper examined the use of town planning tools for sustainable disaster risk reduction and management. It discusses the general concepts; in integrated development, disaster planning, disaster resistant communities and mitigation techniques for sustainable disaster risk reduction and management. It concluded that use of town planning allows for a futuristic projection of potential disaster and then allow us to formulate how we can mitigate it before it occurs. It suggests that to create sustainable disaster resistant communities and environment, formal disaster risk assessments and planning need to be part of the major physical development approach. Keywords: Development, Disaster, Management, Risk, Sustainable, Town Planning INTRODUCTION Before now, poor countries and poor communities are at greater risks. Developed countries have been at the mercy of the elements brought along by natural disasters. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have heightened global interest in concrete commitment to sustainable disaster risk reduction and management, already created by the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami and Earthquake on 26th December Nigeria should not be left out of global initiatives and concerns. The implication of JECET; December 2013 February 2014; Vol.3.No.1,

2 this is that contrary to widely held belief; disasters even the so-called natural disasters are not exogenous and uncontrollable events arising from abnormal situations. Disasters therefore can be reduced and in many instances prevented. A good disaster risk reduction initiative begins well before disasters occur and continue well after a disaster. Developing nations in particular, experience pervasive risks of devastation, human and property loss resulting from natural disasters. According to 1, this level of risk is attributable to socioeconomic stress, aging and inadequate physical infrastructure, weak education, preparedness for disaster, insufficient fiscal and economic resources to carefully implement the preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery components of integrated emergency management. In spite of high vulnerabilities of African countries to environmental and technological disasters, poverty and diseases, disaster is hardly regarded to be an integral part of the urban-national development strategies. Disaster management is seen merely as an emergency relief doling exercise and not as an integral part of national development 2.The occurrence of disaster offers a good opportunity to formulate forward-looking policy concepts pertaining to social development and equity, economic growth, environmental quality, and sustainability. Figure 1: Flooding problem in Nigeria (Source Google Images) Figure 2: Map of Nigeria showing the 36 states (Source Google Images) How well have government and non-governmental organizations faired in mitigating disasters and the attendant loses? What strategies for disaster reduction could be adapted to the situation in developing country like Nigeria? It is along this framework that this paper attempts an examination of the use of Town Planning tools as a strategy for sustainable disaster risk reduction and management and increasing concern over exploitation of natural resources and economic development at the expense of environmental quality 3. Which means seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those needs of the future4 5. As stated in 6, most societies aspire to achieve economic development to secure rising standards of living, both for themselves and for future generations. They also seek to protect and enhance their environment, now and for future. Reconciling these two aspirations of society, it is at the heart of sustainable development. JECET; December 2013 February 2014; Vol.3.No.1,

3 METHOD Through a review of literature from the internet and other sources: we try to understand how Nigeria is urbanizing at astonishing pace, increasing from about 20 per cent in 1970 to about 38 per cent in Of the 150 million Nigerians, about 60 million live in urban centers. The rate of growth of the urban population is estimated to be 5.5 per cent per year ( ). This figure is high when compared with the 2.9 per cent for the national population growth rate 7. This is among the highest growth rate in the world, due mainly to migration from urban to rural areas. At current rates, the number of urban dwellers will double in only 13 years. Four concepts are discussed here which includes urbanization and vulnerability, disaster resistant planning, disaster resistant communities and mitigation processes for sustainable disaster risk reduction and management. Conceptual Framework: The most important feature of the big urban centers is industrialization. Rapid urbanization and industrialization definitely have their dire consequences for communities and the country, if not well managed 8.In the search for root causes of urban disaster risk and vulnerability, human actions are found to be the agents of causation more often than not 9. Due to short sighted overuse of natural resources and widespread environmental degradation, annual loss of lives and property through disasters in the metropolis has been on the increase globally. A disaster resistant community is obtained when the goals of disaster resistant planning are achieved. Disaster resistant communities are sustainable communities in the local context 10. It seek s improved public health and a better quality of life for all its residents by limiting waste, preventing pollution, maximizing conservation and promoting efficiency and developing local resources to revitalize the local economy. A sustainable community formulates goals that are rooted in the respect for both the natural environment and human nature and that calls for the use of technology in an appropriate way to serve both of these resources 11. The principles and techniques that are needed to be institutionalized by the government may include town planning tools like the adoption and implementation of city master plans and some development control mechanisms. It is concerned with incorporating the best hazard resistant designs into the building and other facilities. It must also ensure that the very best economic, social and environmental principles of sustainable development be implemented at the same time 12. The pre-event planning approach looks more relevant to this paper. It is on this note that Town Planning instruments as a strategy for sustainable disaster risk reduction and management are being examined as detailed below. Figure 3: Frequency of Natural disaster Occurrence (Source Google Images) Figure 4: Top ten countries with most displacement in 2012 (Source Google Images) JECET; December 2013 February 2014; Vol.3.No.1,

4 RESULT Planning Instrument for sustainable Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Town: Planning can be viewed as a method of decision making that identifies goals and ends, determines the means and programmes which are thought to achieve these ends. Accordingly, Town Planning can be a future oriented problem solving strategy with a defined area. Town Planning is tailored to set goals based on image of the desired future. Policies are designed and plans are implemented to guide the system towards the goals, or to change the existing system if it cannot achieve the goals. Integrated Development and Disaster Planning: For communities to practice effective disaster resistant planning, the issue of sustainability, community investment and pre-event planning must be highly embraced 13. Sustainable development is that development that meets the current needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This approach calls for respect and to learn from ecological and geological systems and to develop a built environment that complements these systems. This is opposed to the situation where most developmental activities conflict themselves Disaster resistant, well-planned and well-built communities are economically viable and safe communities. In a disaster resistant community, it is essential to plan for disasters and prepare those plans for not only response, but also for recovery i.e. for rehabilitation and reconstruction. Adequate public health and better quality of life for all residents are encouraged by limiting waste, preventing pollution, maximizing conservation, promoting efficiency and developing local resource to revitalize local economy 2 through; Key Town Planning Tools, Development Plan and Development Control Mechanisms. Both natural and man-made disasters occur as a result of the failure of the built environment to structurally, functionally, environmentally and socially resist the physical forces of natural hazards and to provide the functional support necessary for recovery. The effects of natural and man-made disasters are usually in the form of loss of lives, property damage and socio-economic disruption. The application of town planning tools such as contained in the building regulations and sub-division bye-laws of the local government could help to coordinate the various forces and consequently ensures a disaster free environment 15. CONCLUSION The development potential for cities and towns in Nigeria is increasingly being threatened by environment-related emergencies and human induce disasters ranging from flood, fire, ammunition explosions, rainstorms and coastal flooding to mention a few. Since sustainable development planning requires civic planners and private developers to understand a number of new disciplines and to address their interconnections, it has been difficult for working professionals to gain overview and access to specific implementation strategies. Therefore, the application of town planning principles and indeed town planning tools (Integrated Development, Development Plan and Development Control Mechanisms) in pre-event planning could be seen as a future oriented problem solving strategy which recognizes the relationship between planning, preparedness, response and recovery. In summary, use of town planning in sustainable disaster risk reduction and management is that it allows for a futuristic projection of potential disaster and then allows us to formulate how we can mitigate it before it occurs. To revive communities from their present level of poverty and vulnerabilities to various emergencies therefore, the disaster management principles and techniques of disaster prevention, mitigation and sustainability are essential in the day-to-day planning and development process at all levels of development. While town planning, building codes/ordinances have disaster resistance underpinnings and concepts, however formal disaster risk assessments and planning need to be JECET; December 2013 February 2014; Vol.3.No.1,

5 part of the major physical development approach to have disaster resistant and sustainable communities. REFERENCES 1. L. J. Henderson, Emergency and Disasters: Pervasive Risk and Public Bureaucracy in Developing Nations. Public Organization Review: A Global Journal. 2004, 4, E. O. Ojo, Institutionalizing Disaster Risk in Ilesha Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria. Paper Presented at The Proceedings of National Platform for Stakeholders in Disaster Reduction. Held in Abuja, 13-14, 2005, A. S. Mashi, Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development. Proceedings of National Platform for Stakeholders in Disaster Reduction. Held in Abuja, 13-14, 2005, G. H. Brundtland, Our Common Feature the Report of the World Commission on the Environment and Development: (The Brundtland Commission). Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom Strategy Sustainable Development Strategy, Oxford University Press, London, E. O. Ojo, Istanbul + 5: The Habitat Agenda and Relevance to Disaster Management. Response Magazine, 2001, 1, E. O. Ojo, Disasters and Sustainable Development: Some Reflections and African Perspectives in Ayeni, B. and Ojo, E.O (Eds). Proceedings of National Conference of Directors and Heads of Disaster Management Organizations in Nigeria. National Emergency Management Agency, Abuja National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Vulnerability Study for Nigeria. National Emergency Management Agency, Abuja, Nigeria, UNECD Sustainable Development: A Guide to our Common Future: The Report on World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford University Press, Oxford, D. E. Geis, Creating Sustainable and Disaster Resistant Communities: Working Paper: The Aspen Global Change Institute, Aspen, Colorado, U.S.A S. A. Sheikh, An Integrative Approach to Disaster Planning. CBUTH Review, 2001, 1, D. R. Donald, National Hazard Mitigation: Recasting Disaster Policy and Planning. A Keynote Address on World Disaster Day, USA M. Robert, An Introduction to Town Planning Techniques. Hutchinson and Co. London, United Kingdom, L. M. Olayiwola, Town Planning Instruments as a Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction in Nigeria: Proceedings of National Platform for Stakeholders in Disaster Reduction. Held in Abuja, 2005, L. Keeble, Principles and Practice of Town and Country Planning. Pitman Press Bath *Corresponding Author: Kawuwa, A. S.; Department of Architecture, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria. JECET; December 2013 February 2014; Vol.3.No.1,