ABSTRACT
The thesis set out to highlight the functions and importance of a central area to the growth and development of a town or city and the differing roles it is seen to play in the developed and the developing countries. It also examined the problems that afflict central areas and planning approaches used in solving these problems, such as slum clearance upgrading and renewal of facilities, improvement of traffic schemes and so on. Specific scheme examined include the slum clearance of the central business district of Tel - Aviv, the Bauchi central area redevelopment scheme to mention a few. This thesis further examined Minna central areas as a test case for investigating the effectiveness of these planning scheme in addressing central area problems. However, it has been found out that most of these planning schemes are conceived towards solving the symptomatic effects of central area problems rather that the actual causes. This thesis therefore viewed central areas holistically and sought w holistic approaches to solving its problems. vi Central area planning should be seen to vary in the developing countries from what obtains in developed countries because of differences in technical and financial capabilities and also in terms of the needs of the area. It is based on these and in addition to a comprehensive redevelopment of Minna central area that other physical planning measures are proposed and recommend such as re-organization of land uses, relief road approach and others. This will address Minna central area problems w holistically and hopefully, with effective and adequate financial backing solve short and long term problems efficiently.