Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the menace of gully erosion and its impact on housing development in Uyo Urban, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, and to propose a panacea for urgent consideration. To achieve this purpose, it was important to map the spatial distribution and assess the physical dimension of active gully erosion sites across Uyo Urban, to analyze the key natural anthropogenic factors contributing to gully erosion development and expansion in Uyo Urban, to evaluate the direct and indirect impacts of gully erosion on existing housing infrastructure and future housing development potential with Uyo Urban, to assess the socio-economic implications of gully erosion on the livelihoods and wellbeing of residents in affected communities of Uyo Urban and to propose comprehensive and sustainable strategies for gully erosion control and mitigation that integrate policy intervention for Uyo Urban.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted a mixed-methods research design, integrating both quantitative (measuring and mapping gully erosion’s physical characteristics using GIS, remote sensing, and field surveys) and qualitative (interviews and focus group discussions with affected residents and stakeholders) approaches to comprehensively assess gully erosion and its impact on housing development in Uyo Urban using a cross-sectional approach.

Findings: The study identified over 30 active gully sites in Uyo Urban, up to 25 meters deep, caused by high rainfall (exceeding 2,500 mm) and deforestation (9,000 hectares lost). This erosion damaged over 250 structures and threatened thousands more, displacing over 25 families.

Research Limitation/Implication: The study faced inherent limitations, primarily challenges in data accessibility, particularly obtaining precise historical aerial imagery and detailed geological surveys for the entire Uyo urban area. Additionally, resource constraints, including both financial and time limitations, restricted the scope of extensive field measurements and the number of comprehensive stakeholder interviews. This implies that while the findings provide a robust foundation for understanding gully erosion in Uyo, the proposed solutions benefit significantly from continuous, localized monitoring and more in-depth, site-specific investigations to developing an even more granular and tailored mitigation strategies.

Practical Implication: The study offers practical guidance for evidence-based urban planning, prioritizing development away from high-risk zones. It informs targeted erosion control interventions and highlights the need for improved drainage management. Furthermore, findings advocate for enhanced community awareness and robust policy enforcement, guiding resource allocation for effective gully erosion mitigation and safeguarding housing.

Originality/Value: This study offers significant value by providing a data-driven, localized understanding of gully erosion’s multifaceted impact on Uyo’s urban housing. Its originality lies in integrating GIS mapping with socio-economic perspectives, offering a comprehensive baseline for evidence-based policymaking and informing sustainable urban development strategies specifically tailored to the region’s unique environmental challenges.