| dc.description.abstract | Most patterns of urban areas evolve as a result of
combined influence of infrastructure such as roads,
electricity, water, and others. Thus, besides acting as
lubricants in the development process, infrastructure
determine the urban form and can be used to guide urban
development.
While it is easy to appreciate this important role
of infrastructure in planning urban development, it is
important to recognise the inadequacy of these facilities
and services in most urban areas.
This study investigated these two issues by
evaluating the role of infrastructure in the spatial
growth of Ol Kalou town. It also investigated the causes
of inadequate provision of infrastructure in the town
despite their importance. The study focused on the
relationship between the physical conditions and the
pattern of provision of infrastructure; the influence of
the latter 9P the spatial pattern of the town; and some
of the institutional constraints to the adequate
provision of infrastructure in the town.
The study revealed that the site conditions in the
study area are, to a larger extent, conducive to
provision and installation of infrastructure such as
water, electricity, roads, and water-borne sewerage
system. The pattern of provision is therefore not
significantly influenced by the slight variations in the
site conditions.
The pattern of provision of infrastructure, mainly
roads, water, and electricity has determined the spatial
pattern of the town. However , the study established that
the town suffers from inadequacy of these facilities and
services, thereby down playing their effectiveness in
enhancing standards of life and environmental conditions.
The inadequacy of infrastructure was attributed to
the institutional constraints, mainly poor financial
capacity due to inadequate mobilization of local
resources and resource mismanagement in the local
authority. Other causes were identified as lack of coordination
and integration of infrastructure projects
during implementation. Quality of infrastructure is also
worsened by lack of maintenance which the study
attributed to negligence on part of the local authority,
leading to commitment of inadequate resources for this
purpose.
Among the recommendations of this study is the
general policy which discourages urban development on
areas of difficult site conditions, to enhance
environmental care and minimise unnecessary costs of
installation of infrastructure.
Approaches to provide reliable and sustainable water
and sanitation services were also recommended. Measures
to restructure the institutional framework such as
minimising the excessive control of the local authority
by the Central Government were recommended to facilitate
effective contribution to development.
This study concluded that provision of
infrastructure can be used as a tool to steer urban
development to the physically and environmentally
conducive areas in the study area and other towns in the
country. | en_US |
