Rapid Urban Sector Profiling for Sustainability Studies (RUSPS) in developing countries: Implications for urban planning in Ondo State, Nigeria

This paper explores the application of rapid urban profiling for sustainability studies (RUSPS) in articulating city strategic plans in developing countries with the aim of determining its implications for urban planning in Ondo State, Nigeria. Ondo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria where urban planning is undertaken by the state government. It discusses the usefulness of the methodology to urban planning and suggests how it can be applied to re-invigorate urban planning activity in the state. The paper draws on document analysis, qualitative research as well as systematic survey of planning activities, departments and agencies of government as well as individuals involved in urban planning tasks in the study area. Other relevant materials and data are sourced from published sources. The paper reveals that RUSPS has a lot of implications for urban planning in Ondo state, where it is at present wholly concerned with the approval of plans such as building and layout plans without overall city development strategies. The paper concludes that for planning to flourish and more importantly stem the growing slum formation and poverty in the study area, there is a need for a more fundamental rethinking of city planning and development approaches and actions to be inclusive, participatory and one to be undertaken at the local level. RUSPS offers this.