Urban renewal has become a key strategy adopted by governments/private stakeholders to address urban decay, infrastructural deterioration, and environmental degradation in rapidly growing cities. This study assessed the urban renewal project in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State, with a focus on evaluating the current state of urban infrastructure, community perception and satisfaction, and the challenges encountered in the implementation of urban renewal projects. The study adopted a descriptive survey research approach. Data were collected through 150 questionnaires administered to residents and business owners within the study area, while 126 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviation. Findings revealed that urban renewal projects have led to improvements in road infrastructure, drainage systems, and the general aesthetic appearance of Kaduna North. However, issues, such as inadequate environmental sanitation, limited improvement in market facilities, displacement of residents, insufficient compensation, and lack of community participation, were identified as major challenges. The study further revealed mixed community perceptions regarding the benefits of the urban renewal programmed. The study concludes that while urban renewal has contributed positively to infrastructural development in Kaduna North, its effectiveness is constrained by social, environmental, and governance-related challenges. It recommends improved community engagement, transparent planning processes, adequate compensation mechanisms, and sustainable maintenance strategies to enhance the success of future urban renewal projects.

Keywords: Community perception, infrastructure, sustainable development, urban renewal, built environment

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1. Wang H, Liu N, Chen J, Guo S. The relationship between urban renewal and the built environment: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis. J Plan Lit. 2022;37(2):293–308.
2. Yıldız S, Kıvrak S, Gültekin AB, Arslan G. Built environment design-social sustainability relation in urban renewal. Sustain Cities Soc. 2020;60:102173.
3. Yildiz S, Kivrak S, Arslan G. Contribution of built environment design elements to the sustainability of urban renewal projects: Model proposal. J Urban Plan Dev. 2019;145(1): 04018045.
4. Idowu OO. Challenges of urbanization and urban growth in Nigeria. Am J Sustain Cities Soc. 2013;2(1):79–94.
5. Obiadi BN, Onochie AO. Abuja, Nigeria urban actors, master plan, development laws and their roles in the design and shaping of Abuja Federal Territory and their urban environments. IIARD Int J Geogr Environ Manag. 2018;4:23–43.
6. Ifediora DAO. Nigeria’s urban realities in contemporary history; how far from smart cities? Inaugural Lectures of College of Education, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. 2021.
7. Valavanidis A. Half of the global population lives in megacities. Scientific Reviews, Global Environmental Problems. 2024:1–32.
8. Münzel T, Daiber A. Environmental stressors and their impact on health and disease with focus on oxidative stress. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2018;28(9):735–740.
9. Poddar P, Banavaram AA, Ramanaik S, Jayabalan M, Vismaya S. How city living affects mental health-a qualitative exploration of urban stressors among adults in a megacity in India. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):1597.
10. Agbese A. Mixed reactions as El-Rufai begins urban renewal project. Daily Trust. 2019 Sep 15. Available from: https://dailytrust.com/mixed-reactions-as-el-rufai-begins-urban-renewal-project/.
11. Abdulkadir MS. Divided we stand: Disconnect from the traditional party politics of the past in Kaduna State, 2015–2023. J Humanit Soc Sci. 2025.
12. Musa HI, Hassan JT. Assessment of the nature of communication between Kaduna State Government and its residents in disseminating urban renewal messages. J Glob Perspect Commun Media. 2025;1(22).
13. Zheng B, Masrabaye F, Guiradoumngué GM, Zheng J, Liu L. Progress in research on sustainable urban renewal since 2000: Library and visual analyses. Sustainability. 2021;13(8):4154.
14. Boussaa D. Urban regeneration and the search for identity in historic cities. Sustainability. 2017;10(1):48.
15. Grodach C, Ehrenfeucht R. Urban revitalization: Remaking cities in a changing world. London: Routledge; 2015.
16. Hyra DS. Conceptualizing the new urban renewal: Comparing the past to the present. Urban Aff Rev. 2012;48(4):498–527.
17. Marra G, Barosio M, Eynard E, Marietta C, Tabasso M, Melis G. From urban renewal to urban regeneration: Classification criteria for urban interventions. Turin 1995–2015: Evolution of planning tools and approaches. J Urban Regen Renew. 2016;9(4):367–380.
18. Chen Y, Han Q, Liu G, Wu Y, Li K, Hong J. Determining critical success factors of urban renewal projects: Multiple integrated approach. J Urban Plan Dev. 2022;148(1):04021058.
19. Huang L, Zheng W, Hong J, Liu Y, Liu G. Paths and strategies for sustainable urban renewal at the neighbourhood level: A framework for decision-making. Sustain Cities Soc. 2020;55:102074.
20. Turok I, McGranahan G. Urbanization and economic growth: The arguments and evidence for Africa and Asia. Environ Urban. 2019;31(2):221–244. doi:10.1177/0956247819867052.
21. Liu W, Yang J, Gong Y, Cheng Q. An evaluation of urban renewal based on inclusive development theory: The case of Wuhan, China. ISPRS Int J Geo-Inf. 2022;11(11):563.
22. Doyle C. Sustainability, urban regeneration and social inclusion. WIT Trans Ecol Environ. 2025;84.
23. Tanrıkul A. The role of community participation and social inclusion in successful historic city center regeneration in the Mediterranean region. Sustainability. 2023;15(9):7723.
24. Ranaweera KGNU. Urban harmony: Balancing fear of crime with sustainable and innovative community development. Int J Soc Sci Technol Econ Manag. 2024;1(2).
25. Ng MK. Urban renewal, sense of community and social capital: A case study of two neighbourhoods in Hong Kong. In: Urban renewal, community and participation: Theory, policy and practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2018. p.1–23.
26. Gavrilidis AA, Niță MR, Onose DA, Badiu DL, Năstase II. Methodological framework for urban sprawl control through sustainable planning of urban green infrastructure. Ecol Indic. 2019;96:67–78.
27. Wang D, Xu PY, An BW, Guo QP. Urban green infrastructure: Bridging biodiversity conservation and sustainable urban development through adaptive management approach. Front Ecol Evol. 2024;12:1440477.
28. Umoh AA, Nwasike CN, Tula OA, Ezeigweneme CA, Gidiagba JO. Green infrastructure development: Strategies for urban resilience and sustainability. World J Adv Res Rev. 2024;21(1):020–029.
29. Zhang G, Xiong Y, Luo Q. Uncovering drivers of resident satisfaction in urban renewal: Contextual perception mining of old community regeneration through large language models. Buildings. 2025;15(19):3452.
30. Lin SM, Lee HY, Hu HL, Chien KH. To join the rebuild or not? An exploration of the factors influencing the public’s intention to participate in urban renewal. Sci Prog. 2022;105(4):0036
31. Nachmany H, Hananel R. The urban renewal matrix. Land Use Policy. 2023;131:106744.
32. Zhang Y, Kang S, Koo JH. Perception difference and conflicts of stakeholders in the urban regeneration project: A case study of Nanluoguxiang. Sustainability. 2021;13(5):2904.

Urban renewal has become a key strategy adopted by governments/private stakeholders to address urban decay, infrastructural deterioration, and environmental degradation in rapidly growing cities. This study assessed the urban renewal project in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State, with a focus on evaluating the current state of urban infrastructure, community perception and satisfaction, and the challenges encountered in the implementation of urban renewal projects. The study adopted a descriptive survey research approach. Data were collected through 150 questionnaires administered to residents and business owners within the study area, while 126 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviation. Findings revealed that urban renewal projects have led to improvements in road infrastructure, drainage systems, and the general aesthetic appearance of Kaduna North. However, issues, such as inadequate environmental sanitation, limited improvement in market facilities, displacement of residents, insufficient compensation, and lack of community participation, were identified as major challenges. The study further revealed mixed community perceptions regarding the benefits of the urban renewal programmed. The study concludes that while urban renewal has contributed positively to infrastructural development in Kaduna North, its effectiveness is constrained by social, environmental, and governance-related challenges. It recommends improved community engagement, transparent planning processes, adequate compensation mechanisms, and sustainable maintenance strategies to enhance the success of future urban renewal projects.

Keywords: Community perception, infrastructure, sustainable development, urban renewal, built environment

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Wang H, Liu N, Chen J, Guo S. The relationship between urban renewal and the built environment: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis. J Plan Lit. 2022;37(2):293–308.
2. Yıldız S, Kıvrak S, Gültekin AB, Arslan G. Built environment design-social sustainability relation in urban renewal. Sustain Cities Soc. 2020;60:102173.
3. Yildiz S, Kivrak S, Arslan G. Contribution of built environment design elements to the sustainability of urban renewal projects: Model proposal. J Urban Plan Dev. 2019;145(1): 04018045.
4. Idowu OO. Challenges of urbanization and urban growth in Nigeria. Am J Sustain Cities Soc. 2013;2(1):79–94.
5. Obiadi BN, Onochie AO. Abuja, Nigeria urban actors, master plan, development laws and their roles in the design and shaping of Abuja Federal Territory and their urban environments. IIARD Int J Geogr Environ Manag. 2018;4:23–43.
6. Ifediora DAO. Nigeria’s urban realities in contemporary history; how far from smart cities? Inaugural Lectures of College of Education, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. 2021.
7. Valavanidis A. Half of the global population lives in megacities. Scientific Reviews, Global Environmental Problems. 2024:1–32.
8. Münzel T, Daiber A. Environmental stressors and their impact on health and disease with focus on oxidative stress. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2018;28(9):735–740.
9. Poddar P, Banavaram AA, Ramanaik S, Jayabalan M, Vismaya S. How city living affects mental health-a qualitative exploration of urban stressors among adults in a megacity in India. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):1597.
10. Agbese A. Mixed reactions as El-Rufai begins urban renewal project. Daily Trust. 2019 Sep 15. Available from: https://dailytrust.com/mixed-reactions-as-el-rufai-begins-urban-renewal-project/.
11. Abdulkadir MS. Divided we stand: Disconnect from the traditional party politics of the past in Kaduna State, 2015–2023. J Humanit Soc Sci. 2025.
12. Musa HI, Hassan JT. Assessment of the nature of communication between Kaduna State Government and its residents in disseminating urban renewal messages. J Glob Perspect Commun Media. 2025;1(22).
13. Zheng B, Masrabaye F, Guiradoumngué GM, Zheng J, Liu L. Progress in research on sustainable urban renewal since 2000: Library and visual analyses. Sustainability. 2021;13(8):4154.
14. Boussaa D. Urban regeneration and the search for identity in historic cities. Sustainability. 2017;10(1):48.
15. Grodach C, Ehrenfeucht R. Urban revitalization: Remaking cities in a changing world. London: Routledge; 2015.
16. Hyra DS. Conceptualizing the new urban renewal: Comparing the past to the present. Urban Aff Rev. 2012;48(4):498–527.
17. Marra G, Barosio M, Eynard E, Marietta C, Tabasso M, Melis G. From urban renewal to urban regeneration: Classification criteria for urban interventions. Turin 1995–2015: Evolution of planning tools and approaches. J Urban Regen Renew. 2016;9(4):367–380.
18. Chen Y, Han Q, Liu G, Wu Y, Li K, Hong J. Determining critical success factors of urban renewal projects: Multiple integrated approach. J Urban Plan Dev. 2022;148(1):04021058.
19. Huang L, Zheng W, Hong J, Liu Y, Liu G. Paths and strategies for sustainable urban renewal at the neighbourhood level: A framework for decision-making. Sustain Cities Soc. 2020;55:102074.
20. Turok I, McGranahan G. Urbanization and economic growth: The arguments and evidence for Africa and Asia. Environ Urban. 2019;31(2):221–244. doi:10.1177/0956247819867052.
21. Liu W, Yang J, Gong Y, Cheng Q. An evaluation of urban renewal based on inclusive development theory: The case of Wuhan, China. ISPRS Int J Geo-Inf. 2022;11(11):563.
22. Doyle C. Sustainability, urban regeneration and social inclusion. WIT Trans Ecol Environ. 2025;84.
23. Tanrıkul A. The role of community participation and social inclusion in successful historic city center regeneration in the Mediterranean region. Sustainability. 2023;15(9):7723.
24. Ranaweera KGNU. Urban harmony: Balancing fear of crime with sustainable and innovative community development. Int J Soc Sci Technol Econ Manag. 2024;1(2).
25. Ng MK. Urban renewal, sense of community and social capital: A case study of two neighbourhoods in Hong Kong. In: Urban renewal, community and participation: Theory, policy and practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2018. p.1–23.
26. Gavrilidis AA, Niță MR, Onose DA, Badiu DL, Năstase II. Methodological framework for urban sprawl control through sustainable planning of urban green infrastructure. Ecol Indic. 2019;96:67–78.
27. Wang D, Xu PY, An BW, Guo QP. Urban green infrastructure: Bridging biodiversity conservation and sustainable urban development through adaptive management approach. Front Ecol Evol. 2024;12:1440477.
28. Umoh AA, Nwasike CN, Tula OA, Ezeigweneme CA, Gidiagba JO. Green infrastructure development: Strategies for urban resilience and sustainability. World J Adv Res Rev. 2024;21(1):020–029.
29. Zhang G, Xiong Y, Luo Q. Uncovering drivers of resident satisfaction in urban renewal: Contextual perception mining of old community regeneration through large language models. Buildings. 2025;15(19):3452.
30. Lin SM, Lee HY, Hu HL, Chien KH. To join the rebuild or not? An exploration of the factors influencing the public’s intention to participate in urban renewal. Sci Prog. 2022;105(4):0036
31. Nachmany H, Hananel R. The urban renewal matrix. Land Use Policy. 2023;131:106744.
32. Zhang Y, Kang S, Koo JH. Perception difference and conflicts of stakeholders in the urban regeneration project: A case study of Nanluoguxiang. Sustainability. 2021;13(5):2904.