Population Growth and Carrying Capacity of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, Nigeria has continued to witness an unprecedented increase in both population and economic activities since 1996 when it became the State capital and headquarters of Yenagoa LGA. The effects of population growth on demand for housing land in the study area was investigated with study objectives including understanding the population growth characteristics; housing need/demand and supply; demand for housing land, effects of increased population on land consumption; prediction of future pattern of land consumption and recommending appropriate theoretical model(s) of urban development. The continued concentration of development of all types in the Yenagoa capital city may after all not be the best urban development pattern. The adoption of the growth pole strategy, establishment of ¿new and satellite towns¿ and provision of serviced lands are recommended as sustainable urban development strategies that could ease the population growth challenge.