A term paper on the effect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on planning administration in Nigeria

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Information can be defined as knowledge communicated by others or obtained from
investigation study or instruction. It could be the process by which the form of an object of
knowledge is impressed upon the apprehending mind so as to bring about a state of knowing
(Merriam-Webster, 1993). Technology on the other hand is the science of application of
knowledge to practical purposes. Information has undoubtedly played a very vital role in the
development of humankind. The emergence of ICT (Information and Communication
Technologies) since the 90’s, modified profoundly our urban environment and the way spatial
planning is implemented. Within the past decade, the new ICT resources have fundamentally
changed the way planners communicate and exchange information about the urban environment.
According to Rodriguez and Wilson (2000) ICTs “refers to technologies people use to share,
distribute and gather information and to communicate through computers and computer
networks. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), (2000) also
described ICTs as a complex varied set of goods, applications and services used for producing,
distributing, processing and transforming information. ICT has brought the world closer together
by improving the dissemination of knowledge, accelerating research, stimulating innovation and
facilitating collaboration (Ho, 2007).
Physical planning refers to the active process of organizing the structures and function to
ensure orderly and effective sitting (or location) of land uses. Adeniyi (1976) defined physical
planning as the design, growth and management of the physical environment in accordance with

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predetermined and agreed upon policies, whereby balanced social and economic objectives may
be achieved. The objective of physical planning is to create or provide a pleasant healthful
physical environment for living, working, recreation and movement. There is need for physical
planning practices to be further developed in the light of the emergence of information and
communication technology. With ICTs actively shaping the goals and agenda of the planning
profession (Velibeyoğlu, 2004), they have become the paradigm of technological information.
Thus, the emergence of ICT has presented an opportunity for urban planners to cope with the
urban problems of today.

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CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Evolution of town planning administration in Nigeria
Spatial planning in a general sense was part of local indigenous administration in Nigeria,
long before the colonial administration. However, it was not until 1928 that planning was
regarded as a government activity in Nigeria. The enactment of Lagos Town Planning Ordinance
of 1928 in response to the fundamental drawback of 1917 Township Ordinance saw to the
creation of the Lagos Executive Development Board (LEDB). The Lagos Executive
Development Board was charged with the responsibility of planning and development of the city
(Amao & Ilesanmi, 2013). The LEDB undertook several assignments including reclamation of
swampy areas of Oko-Awo in the early 1930s and the resettlement of the displaced people from
the area to south of Yaba estate.
Several acts enacted after the Lagos Town Planning Ordinance of 1928 contributed
immensely to the evolution of town planning administration in Nigeria. The creation of the
Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in April 1966 by few practicing Town Planners in the
former Western Region under the leadership of Mr. S. O. Tokun, led to the enactment of bye
laws and regulations for would be Town Planners. By 16th of January 1988 Town Planners
Registration Council etc decree of 1988 was promulgated establishing a body to be known as the
Town Planners Registration Council. The Decree No.3 of 1988 thus empowered TOPREC with
the general duty of: determining who are town planners for the purpose of this decree; determine
what standard of knowledge and skill are to be attained by person seeking to become members of
the profession of town planning and reviewing those standards from this to fine as circumstance
may require.

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Planning is a future-oriented discipline and it seeks to provide answers to the challenges
in the built environment. It requires adequate data to initiate and implement plans. These data
can be obtained from Information and Communication Technologies. The discomfort of urban
planners and local authorities in planning administrations in Nigeria regarding the technicalities
of ICT infrastructure has played a role in the present disregard and under-utilization of ICT in
Nigerian planning administrations.

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CHAPTER THREE
ICT AND TOWN PLANNING ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA
3.1 Level of computerization in town planning administration
Computerization refers to the application of computer in performing operations. It plays
an important role in the planning profession. Computers can be used to collect, analyze and test
data. It can also be employed in the exchange of information electronically with other
professionals around the world. The use of computers in urban planning and city management
dates back to the end of 1960s, since then enormous steps have been done in this application
field. The development of Information Technologies (IT) and the widespread diffusion of
personal computers nowadays allow the management of complex data and information bases to
support processes of government and management of the physical transformations (Campagna,
nd*).
Despite significant research on ICT and their general association with urban form and
economy, which has focused on agglomeration of economies, there has been little attention to the
interactions between ICT and urban planning administration in Nigeria. There are several factors
responsible for the low level of ICT and computerization in planning administration in Nigeria,
These factors include:
 Relatively short history of ICT in Nigeria
 Rapid change of ICT in Nigeria
 Invisibility and complexity of ICT infrastructure.
i) Relatively short history of ICT in Nigeria: In Nigeria, information technology is rather a
recent phenomenon. Due to this, traditional town planning firms find it difficult to adjust and
incorporate the use of ICT in their planning activities/operations. Even with the development of

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ICT and the prevalence of personal computers nowadays, traditional planners are unable to cope
with the complex and sophisticated nature of collecting and analyzing data with ICT
tools/resources.
ii) Rapid change of ICT in Nigeria: Fast changes of ICT and their impact on different aspects of
society prevent urban planning from dealing with the interaction between cities and ICT. The
urban planning’s incapability to track these changes results in speculation in planning
administration and a risk for planning professionals to assume technologically deterministic
views (Firmino, 2008). Moreover, urban planning may have been hampered in monitoring the
changing technological landscapes and addressing the resulting issues in a timely manner.
iii) Invisibility and complexity of ICT infrastructure: Unlike traditional urban physical
infrastructure, most ICT infrastructures are invisible to the public, being composed of
underground networks of cables and fibre optics, and satellite-based telecommunications
(Graham and Marvin, 1996). Batty (1990) also made the observation that “cities are becoming
invisible to us and this invisibility is increasing faster than our ability to adapt our research
methods to these new circumstances”. Since traditional urban planning has heavily depended on
visible and tangible space, urban scholars and planners in physical planning administration find
the invisible and intangible characteristics of ICT difficult to handle (Firmino, 2008).
3.2 Efficiency and effectiveness of information and communication technologies in
planning administration
Planners have been confronted with a question of information and communication ever
since the advent of their profession and especially since participation and public involvement
became a standard, and a required part of the procedure. The introduction of ICT provided for

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the first time a communication option they can use efficiently. Simple data access or information
exchange can be made with the simplest tools, and technical requirements for their use are
practically minimal. However, it is the most sophisticated technologies that have the highest
potential to substantially increase the efficiency and effectiveness of planning. They provide the
interactive real time communication that can be employed throughout every planning stage, be it
a pre-planning survey, plan-making itself, or the decision-making process. However, the
technical and know-how requirements for their use are substantial as well.
Not all information and communication technologies are equally functional. Some of
them may be employed throughout the whole planning process in planning administration, while
others may provide good service only for a part of the process, or serve at a particular stage. The
more sophisticated they are the broader and more extensive their application and capacity for
producing a desired result in the best possible way and least wasteful manner.
The effectiveness and efficiency of ICT in planning administration can be viewed from
the following categories.
i) Data Management: Planners make use of data in their everyday activities. This statistical
information is required for decision-making and planning purposes. Proper handling and prompt
access to these data are necessary for achieving planning goals. Without compromise or bias,
ICT tools such as SPSS is viable and versatile enough to handle all these information with an
advantage of prompt access, correction and easy manipulation.
ii) Data Analysis: Analysis and manipulation of data becomes virtually daily
planning practices. This is contingent upon the changing trend of information as a result of
finding of research. An epic of data and information is required by planners so as to be effective.
ICT have offered all its takes to get these done with appreciable ease and convenience.

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iii) Word Processing: Computer offers immeasurable cost relief t o planners in the
aspect of word processing. Word processing programme enable planners to compose, edit and
produce written documents in a wide variety of formats. These written reports form a versatile
tool for written communication.
iv) Decision Making: The quality of information in any decision situation determines
the quality of decision. ICT enhance decision making process by providing quality information.
The decision making process includes:
 Problem identification.
 Developing alternative.
 Choosing the best alternative.
 Implementing the decision.
 Control and evaluation of decision outcome.
3.3 Factors affecting town planners in the effective usage of information communication
technology resources in planning administration
The ICT in general and some of the technologies (instruments) in particular, require a
sophisticated environment in order to be implemented and to work successfully. Some of them
can be successful only if a corresponding know-how is secured, or a technical infrastructure
developed. The more complex and sophisticated they are the higher the requirements they
impose. Traditional planners in planning administrations in Nigeria lack the appropriate
knowledge and skills required to operate or utilize these technologies due to the following:
 low level of computer literacy
 lack of awareness among planners

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i) Low level of computer literacy: Low level of computer culture affects the use of ICTs in
Nigerian planning administrations. When planners are not computer literate, utilizing ICT
facility would be a problem. In other words, having a good background in computer skill makes
the use of ICT in town planning administration very practicable.
ii) Lack of awareness among planners: Lack of awareness on the other hand makes availability
impossible. Planners must be aware of the advantages of using ICTs in planning administration.
Training planners on the use of computer packages and other related technologies for services in
planning organization is very important.
The introduction of ICT into the equation of spatial planning is a major paradigm shift for
the traditional planner, and it often takes time before they can adjust. The lack of proper ICT
skills may curb a planner’s ability to produce high quality professional work.
3.4 Relevance of information and communication technology in town planning
administration
Planners have always sought tools to enhance their analytical, problem-solving, and
decision-making capability (Mandelbaum, 1996). From the late 1950s planners started to
develop and use computerized models, planning information systems and decision support
systems to improve performance (Brail 1987; Klosterman, 1990). By the late 1980’s ICT became
important in planning design. With the fall of ICT (Computers) hardware and software and the
advent of the internet and GIS in the late 1990’s ICT became an indispensable tool to planning.
ICT’s main role in planning is as an important tool for analysing data gathered from the
field. This is done through the various software such as ArcGIS, Microsoft Excel, SPSS, Google
Earth etc. Also, software is used to produce Master Plan Designs, the common ones are
AutoCAD, City Engine, ArchiCAD, CityCAD etc. other tools for Design include Lumion for

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rendering to real life images. Google Sketcup, Maya 3D. Programs like ArcGIS, QGIS Google
Earth, Google Sketup used for analysis of physical attributes in the environment and as well
frequencies and similarities of occurrences (traffic) population, Land uses, etc. have given rise to
a new genre of planning design called geodesign. The two prominent tools used in plan designs
and gathering of data are:
 Computer Aided Design (Autocad)
 Geographic Information System
i) Computer Aided Design (Autocad)
AutoCAD is one of the most widely-used CAD programs in professional drafting.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a type of software designed to replicate the process of
architectural drafting in a computer environment, which yields many benefits over the traditional
process of hand drawing.
ii) Geographic Information System
Urban planning is one of the main applications of GIS. Urban planners use GIS both as a
spatial database and as an analysis and modelling tool. The applications of GIS vary according to
the different stages, levels, sectors, and functions of urban planning. Every day, planners use
geographic information system (GIS) technology to research, develop, implement, and monitor
the progress of their plans. GIS provides planners with the tools they need to design and map
their neighborhoods and cities. Planners can apply geographic information technologies in all
aspects of the planning process, including: data collection and storage, data analysis and
presentation, plan and/or policy making, communication with the public and decision makers,

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and plan and/or policy implementation and administration. GIS also facilitate the decision-
making process. Planners use GIS primarily for mapping activities. As a toolbox, GIS allows
planners to perform spatial analysis using geoprocessing functions such as map overlay,
connectivity measurement, and buffering (Berry 1987; Tomlin 1990). Of all the geoprocessing
functions, map overlay is probably the most useful tool. This is because planners have a long
tradition of using map overlay in land suitability analysis which is itself an important component
in urban planning (Hopkins 1977; McHarg 1969; Steinitz et al 1976). The many benefits in using
GIS in urban planning include (Royal Town Planning Institute 1992):
 Improved mapping;
 effective thematic;
 Mapping, and reduced storage cost;
 Greater efficiency in retrieval of information;
 Faster and more extensive access to the types of geographical information
important to planning and the ability to explore a wider range of ‘what if’
scenarios;
 Improved analysis;
 Better communication to the public and staff;
 Improved quality of services, for example speedier access to information for
planning application processing.

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Other relevance of information and communication technology to planning administration
includes:
 It saves Time.
 It makes Job Easier.
 It enhances Accuracy.
 It increases Productivity.
 It increases competition among planning firms.
3.5 Negative effect of information and communication technology in planning
administration
The emergence of information and communication technology has posed many
challenges to the way things are done and how urban planning is done too. Indeed, the
transformations imposed by ICTs have been threatening the concepts about space, time and
cities.
ICT is a significant factor affecting spatial change and consequences can often be rather
unexpected. This necessarily provides planners with some challenging problems.
 ICT discourages community participation.
 ICT weakens capacity building.
i) ICT discourages community participation
Community participation concerns the engagement of individuals and communities in
decisions about things that affect their lives. It involves coming together of people in a
community to achieve a common goal. Technologies reduce the incentive for individuals and
communities to form strong social ties and, therefore, fail to encourage individuals to work

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together and strive for a common goal. ICT replace robust, durable, and emotionally satisfying
social bonds with superficial and contingent ones.
ii) ICT weakens capacity building
Capacity building also referred to as capacity development, is a conceptual approach to
development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments,
international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their
development goals while enhancing the abilities that will allow them to achieve measurable and
sustainable results. ICT does not promote social connection but that they simply create weak,
fragile, and quite tenuous bonds that could splinter in times of great stress or duress. ICT might
actually encourage governments to distance themselves from truly interacting with their citizens,
especially since these technological links might only be able to generate superficial, digitally
contingent relationships.

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CHAPTER FOUR
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The effects of ICTs on physical planning practice and spatial development are important
subjects which should be widely discussed by urban planners today. For planners to influence
spatial development, they will have to incorporate these effects of the development of the
information society and ICT into urban and regional planning. There are indications however,
that this has not been the case until now. This could be as a result of human resistance to change
which is normal. Almost certainly, a more pertinent factor is that planners are not fully aware of
these new development possibilities and they may think that the effects of ICT could be practical
in the current urban and rural structures available.
However, Information and Communication Technology holds a lot of prospects for the
future of the urban and regional planning profession. According to Velibeyoğlu, (2004)
computerized tools have opened up new opportunities for urban planners to improve their
professional practice. Thus, there is an immense need for further inquiry on the effect and impact
of the application of ICT in specific planning areas and for the development of new planning
theories, methods and models.
Recommended Strategies in incorporating ICT into physical planning practice should
involve creating environmental networks, organizing enlightenment campaigns about ICT
amongst city and rural area planners, developing the GIS technologies for use in urban and rural
areas for planning and design and re-training the present core designers and planners for
relevance in the information era.

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