Understanding the Challenges of 21st Century Urbanization in Northern Nigeria’s Largest City, Kano

Abstract

Kano, the largest city in Northern Nigeria, has experienced tremendous and unprecedented urban growth since the late 10th Century, following the emergence of the city as one of the oldest and most prominent urban centers for Trans-Saharan trade that linked Sub-Saharan Africa with North Africa, Northern Arab, and other European countries. The city’s rapid urbanization is mainly attributed to the influx of people as a result of socio-economic trading activities. However, the inability of relevant government authorities to actively respond to the city’s rapid urbanization, coupled with the demographical and spatial expansion, has contributed to the enormous contemporary challenges. Therefore, the present study examined the various challenges faced due to the tremendous urbanization in Kano city, Nigeria. The study identified the city’s challenges to include infrastructure decay, environmental pollution, problem of urban mobility and traffic congestion, unemployment, and increased crime rates. It also analyzed the implementation of several strategies and initiatives of the relevant government authorities in tackling these problems while carefully recommending further solutions aimed at addressing these contemporary challenges. This is with a view of having a cosmopolitan city that continuously attracts the inflow of populace due to its socio-economic status without jeopardizing the city’s sustainable growth.