Assessment of the determinants of existing vacant lands in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

The study analyzed the determinants of existing vacant lands in Jos metropolis, Nigeria. This is based on the understanding of the fact that, though several studies have been carried out on land values in Nigeria, studies on existing vacant lands are rare. Again, most of the prior studies used data obtained from occupants of developed properties and questionnaire survey administration; this study utilized Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) Techniques. Google Earth Engine was used to obtain and analyze the Landsat satellite imagery and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the study area to produce the land use/land cover map, which enabled the extraction of the variables analyzed. This was then validated and updated through ground truthing and the use of high-resolution satellite imagery. While other data were identified from literature, estate agents, and the authors’ knowledge of the local area, resulting in a comprehensive view of the causative factors of urban vacant lands. The study was able to answer these pertinent questions through the following specific objectives: to identify some land uses within the study area; to evaluate the factors that determine the existing vacant lands; to examine the policy that guides the vacant land. The results showed that there is significant vacant land within the study area, covering up to 67.77 km2 (8.16% of the study area), and the vacant lands are sparsely distributed. Based on the planning regulations and implications, this is not expected, especially in a planned metropolis where every land is assigned a land use. This total vacant land includes widely varying types of land ranging from undisturbed open space, undeveloped land, rocks, bare surface, mining pond, gully erosion, and alluvial deposits. The DEM shows that Jos South has the highest elevation of 1514m and Jos North with the lowest of 886 m. We therefore recommend that there should be a reliable database of urban vacant land in Nigeria. It is also recommended that the government conduct an extensive survey of urban vacant lands on a quarterly basis and publish a list of urban vacant lands at the end of each quarter. Based on the survey information, strict supervision of urban vacant lands could be implemented. These factors should be given due consideration in planning and policy formulation for the future development of the metropolis.