EVALUATION OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS OF URBAN FORESTS AND PUBLIC GREEN SPACES IN BADE LGA, YOBE STATE

ATTENTION:

BEFORE YOU READ THE ABSTRACT OR CHAPTER ONE OF THE PROJECT TOPICS BELOW, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW.THANK YOU!

INFORMATION:

YOU CAN GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT OF THE TOPIC BELOW. THE FULL PROJECT COST N5,000 ONLY. THE FULL INFORMATION ON HOW TO PAY AND GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. OR

YOU CAN CALL: 08068231953, 08137701720,

WHATSAPP/TELEGRAM US ON: 08137701720

EVALUATION OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS OF URBAN FORESTS AND PUBLIC GREEN SPACES IN BADE LGA, YOBE STATE

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background to the Study

Urban forests and green spaces have become vital components of modern urban systems due to their contributions to environmental quality, public health, economic development, and social wellbeing. Urban forests refer to trees, woodlots, and vegetation located within cities, while green spaces include parks, gardens, recreational fields, institutional landscapes, and roadside vegetation (Nowak & Dwyer, 2007). These natural elements provide multiple ecosystem services such as air purification, microclimate regulation, carbon sequestration, noise reduction, and flood control (Bolund & Hunhammar, 1999).

Rapid global urbanisation has resulted in increasing population pressure on available urban land resources. Consequently, natural vegetation is being replaced by buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, leading to environmental degradation and decline in urban quality of life (Jim & Chen, 2009). Integrating forests and green spaces within cities has therefore become a major strategy for promoting sustainable urban development. Urban greenery enhances aesthetic beauty, recreational opportunities, social cohesion, and psychological wellbeing of residents (Chiesura, 2004). Furthermore, urban forests contribute to income generation, tourism, property value appreciation, and employment creation through nursery establishment, landscaping, and wood-based enterprises (McPherson et al., 2005).

In Nigeria, urban growth has often occurred without adequate environmental planning, resulting in deforestation, inadequate park infrastructure, and loss of green spaces (Adebayo & Jegede, 2010). Despite this, urban forests remain critical for combating climate change impacts, which are particularly severe in northern Nigeria, including drought, desertification, and land degradation (Mortimore, 2009). Yobe State lies within the semi-arid zone of the country, characterised by sparse vegetation and fragile ecosystems. Enhancing urban greenery is therefore essential for environmental restoration and socioeconomic improvement in the region.

Bade Local Government Area, whose headquarters is Gashua, is an important urban centre in Yobe State. The area contains various forms of green spaces such as institutional gardens, homestead trees, street trees, open parks, and riparian vegetation along waterways. Residents depend on these resources for shade, recreation, food, fodder, fuelwood, income, cultural activities, and microclimate improvement (Ogunleye et al., 2012). However, pressure from urban expansion, grazing, fuelwood harvesting, and poor environmental management threatens the sustainability of existing green spaces. Empirical research is therefore required to document their socioeconomic benefits and inform local policy and planning.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Although urban forests and green spaces provide numerous socioeconomic and environmental benefits, they are often undervalued and poorly managed within many Nigerian urban areas (Akinbode & Ugbomeh, 2013). In Bade LGA, increasing population growth, unplanned urban development, and over-exploitation of natural vegetation have resulted in declining tree cover and deterioration of green spaces. This situation reduces the capacity of urban forests to provide essential services such as shade, recreation, carbon storage, income opportunities, and environmental protection.

There is also limited awareness among residents and planners regarding the long-term economic and social value of urban greenery. Environmental policies are weakly implemented, and land-use planning often prioritizes housing development over conservation of open spaces (Okechukwu, 2016). In addition, there is little empirical evidence on how urban forests contribute to livelihoods, health, property values, and community wellbeing in Bade LGA.

The problem addressed by this study is therefore the insufficient empirical analysis of the socioeconomic benefits of urban forests and green spaces in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State. This knowledge gap hinders effective planning, conservation initiatives, and integration of urban green infrastructure into development strategies.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

Aim

The aim of this study is to analyse the socioeconomic benefits of urban forests and green spaces in Bade Local Government Area, Yobe State.

Specific Objectives

The study specifically seeks to:

identify the types and spatial distribution of urban forests and green spaces in Bade LGA;

examine the socioeconomic benefits derived from urban forests and green spaces by residents;

assess the contribution of urban forests and green spaces to household income and livelihood activities;

evaluate residents’ perceptions and attitudes toward urban forests and green spaces;

identify major challenges affecting the sustainability and development of urban forests and green spaces in the study area.

1.4 Research Questions

The research will be guided by the following questions:

What types of urban forests and green spaces are found in Bade LGA?

What socioeconomic benefits do residents obtain from urban forests and green spaces?

How do urban forests and green spaces contribute to income generation and livelihoods?

What are residents’ perceptions and attitudes toward urban forests and green spaces?

What challenges impede the effective management of urban forests and green spaces in Bade LGA?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The study will test the following null hypotheses:

H01: Urban forests and green spaces do not significantly contribute to the socioeconomic wellbeing of residents in Bade LGA.

H02: There is no significant relationship between access to urban green spaces and residents’ quality of life in Bade LGA.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will provide empirical information on the socioeconomic value of urban forests and green spaces in a semi-arid Nigerian context. It will enrich existing literature on urban environmental management and sustainable development (Jim & Chen, 2009). The findings will be useful to urban planners, local government authorities, environmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations in formulating policies that promote urban greening and conservation.

The study will also enhance community awareness about the importance of trees and green spaces, thereby encouraging local participation in tree planting, afforestation programs, and environmental stewardship (Tzoulas et al., 2007). Academic researchers and students will benefit from the work as a reference material for future studies on urban ecology, environmental economics, and geography.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study is geographically limited to Bade Local Government Area, Yobe State. It focuses on urban communities within the LGA, especially Gashua and its environs. The content scope covers:

types of urban forests and green spaces;

socioeconomic benefits such as income, employment, health, recreation, aesthetics, and property value;

residents’ perceptions and attitudes;

management challenges and sustainability issues.

Rural forest reserves and agricultural farmlands outside urban boundaries are excluded from the study.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

Possible limitations of this research may include financial constraints, limited time, difficulties in accessing some locations, and reluctance of respondents to provide detailed information. Inadequate secondary data may also pose challenges. These constraints will be minimized through careful sampling, use of questionnaires and interviews, and triangulation of data sources.

1.9 Definition of Key Terms

Urban Forests: Trees, shrubs, and vegetated areas located within urban settlements including streets, parks, institutions, and residential compounds.

Green Spaces: Open vegetated areas such as parks, gardens, playgrounds, and recreational fields within urban environments.

Socioeconomic Benefits: Social and economic advantages derived by individuals or communities, including income, employment, recreation, health, and improved quality of life.

Ecosystem Services: Benefits humans obtain from natural systems, including climate regulation, carbon storage, water regulation, and cultural services.

Livelihoods: Activities and resources that people use to secure income, food, shelter, and other necessities of life.

HOW TO RECEIVE PROJECT MATERIAL (S)

After paying the appropriate amount (#5,000) into our bank Account below, send the following information to any of the numbers below

08068231953, 08137701720,

(1) Your project topics

(2) Email Address

(3) Payment Name

OR you drop them on our WhatsApp/Telegram, 08137701720

We will send your material(s) after we receive bank alert

BANK ACCOUNTS

Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI

Account Number: 0046579864