IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF ULI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ANAMBRA STATE)

ABSTRACT

The study examine impact of environmental planning on rural development, This study was undertaken majorly to evaluate the impact of environmental planning on rural development and to determine if environmental planning help in the development of rural communities.

Concerning methodology for this study, data for this study was collected from the respondents through the use of questionnaires. Questionnaires were shared to all 32 respondents of the organization, and field surveys through responses to questions in the questionnaire served as the main source of primary data for this study. Other information was collected from text books, journals and other secondary sources of data. The research design used for this study was the descriptive research design. Since data characteristics were described using frequencies and percentages, and no manipulations of data or variables were necessary, the researcher chose this research design. The researcher discarded other alternatives such as the causal and explanatory research designs, because accurate findings and data analysis may not be achieved. The population figure for the study was 32 respondents.  Since the population for the study was not large, and data could be collected from all the respondents, the researcher adopted the census sampling technique to successfully complete the study. All 32 respondents were used for this study. Various analytical tools and software such as pie charts, bar charts, tables, and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software were used in analysing data for this study. Data collected were analysed using frequencies and percentages. These frequencies and percentages enabled the researcher to clearly represent true data characteristics and findings with a great deal of accuracy. Interpretation and analysis of data was also used to describe items in tables and charts used for this study.

Findings from the study revealed the following: There is a significant impact of environmental planning on rural development. Environmental planning helps in the development of rural community. Environmental planning is essential for community development. Adequate environmental planning improves community development. This study seeks to draw attention to rural environment for planning and development.