ABSTRACT
In Nigeria and other developing countries of the world, planning and development of new retail areas have been used as a means of decentralising the existing traditional retail areas, which mostly have evolved without due planning considerations and therefore, have constituted a nuisance to the urban areas in which they are located. In view of the fact that the system of distribution of goods and services is essential' to any economy, the location, structure and design of these retail areas comprise an important challenge facing urban planners today. It is in recognition of this fact that this thesis aimed at analysing and appraising the existing commercial area in Osogbo, with a view to suggesting appropriate physical planning proposals. The study was approached from both the theoretical aspect; which reviewed various planning concepts, principles and standards through an inventory of existing literature, and the empirical component which involved a study of the existing situation of retail area, using reconnaissance survey, personal observation and other secondary data sources. The study revealed that there is inadequacy in the supply of commercial areas in Osogbo. Also, inspite of their inadequacy their location is so uneven that people living in certain parts of the town are at a disadvantage with respect to accessibility to existing commercial areas. Other physical planning problems identified, ranges from congestion, lack of adequate infrastructures, lack of proper planning and poor environment.Consequent to the above findings the following proposals and recommendations were made: more retail centres, to reduce the large deficit, redevelopment of the existing retail structures, by providing the lacking ancillary facilities and lastly comprehensive spatial planning of the entire commercial areas. It is believed that this will assist in the proper development of commercial area, so that it becomes well appreciated in view of its positive contribution, to the economy of the urban area, as regards employment provision and income generation. Policy recommendations were given to provide the necessary incentives as well as the machinery for the effective realisation of the proposals.