EVALUATION OF THE PUBLIC’S PERCEPTION ON THE FACTORS INFLUENCING URBAN EXPANSION IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Uncontrolled urban expansion has become a major challenge in many developing cities, with significant 
implications for sustainable land use and environmental management. Despite the increasing rate of urban 
growth in Bauchi Metropolis, there is limited empirical understanding of the factors driving this expansion and 
the associated environmental and socio-economic consequences as perceived by residents. This study 
examined public perceptions of the factors driving urban expansion and its associated impacts in Bauchi 
Metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, with the sample size 
determined using Yamane's formula and respondents proportionally allocated across wards using Boyle's 
method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics technique. The findings revealed that respondents 
perceived population growth (97.7%), urbanization (95.1%), economic development (92.5%), land availability 
(94.0%), and government policies (89.1%) as the principal factors driving urban expansion in the metropolis. 
Furthermore, respondents identified several significant consequences associated with urban expansion, 
including alterations in land use (95.1%), habitat loss (91.7%), and an increase in impervious surfaces 
(81.2%). These findings suggest that urban expansion is reshaping both the physical environment and land-use 
patterns within Bauchi Metropolis. The study recommends the implementation of effective urban planning 
policies and regulatory frameworks at all levels of government to promote sustainable urban growth and 
mitigate the adverse effects of uncontrolled expansion.