Osogbo profile: An insight into urban developments à longue durée

Osogbo, Nigeria, stands out as the only city with a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, blending traditional and modern urban development. A retrospective analysis reveals that while post-colonial infrastructure projects have bolstered its economic significance, unplanned growth threatens sustainability. The study highlights the decisive role of indigenous agencies in shaping urbanity and emphasizes the need for inclusive, participatory planning policies to combat urban sprawl. Synchronization among planning agencies is crucial, along with a master plan, to ensure Osogbo's sustainable future. Fieldwork data from 2024 supports these findings, offering operational policies to mitigate challenges posed by rapid population growth.

Oyeleye, O., & Bigon, L. (2025). Osogbo profile: An insight into urban developments à longue durée. Cities, 163, 106014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106014