LOCATIONAL EFFECTS OF PLACES OF WORSHIP AND COMPLIANCE TO PLANNING REGULATIONS IN ILARO, OGUN STATE
Sodiya, Olurotimi Oluyemi and Uwala, Vincent Abimbola, Volume 7 Issue 1, 2025 Pages 134-141, Published: 2025-10-27
Abstract
The goal of this research is to assess the locational effects of places of worship within Ilaro Township, including an assessment of the extent of their compliance to planning regulations. An area sampling method was adopted for the research, and three political wards within the study area were identified. These wards are: Ward 1, Ward 2, and Ward 3. In each ward, two churches and two mosques were selected, bringing the total to four places of worship per ward and twelve across all wards. The inclusion of both churches and mosques was done purposively to ensure representation. The specific places of worship were selected randomly within each category. Findings indicated majority (75%) of the places of worship lack the required parking spaces thereby, often leading to traffic bottlenecks, particularly during peak period of the activities of the places of worship. Also, the noise level measured in majority (83.3%) of the places of worship exceeded the WHO-stipulated standard of 50dB with only two places of worship falling within permissible sound level. In fact, four places of worship recorded as high as an average of 98.6dB. The study therefore recommended that places of worship in the study area should be made to provide for adequate parking spaces in accordance to the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning Laws, and that devices for sound control should be installed in these places of worship.