Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The study explores the impact of the increasing cost of building services on property development in Uyo urban. As urban centers experience rapid growth and development, the demand for quality housing and commercial spaces rises, leading to a surge in construction activities. However, the rising cost of building services, including materials, labor, and technology, presents a significant challenge to property developers in Uyo. This research aims to analyze the factors contributing to the escalating costs of building services and their implications for property development in the region. A mixed-methods approach will be employed to collect and analyze data for this study. Quantitative data will be gathered through surveys and financial analysis of property development projects in Uyo urban. Qualitative data will be obtained through interviews with key stakeholders in the construction industry, including developers, contractors, and government officials. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data will provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by the rising cost of building services on property development in Uyo. The findings of this research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the economics of property development in urban areas. By identifying the specific factors driving up the cost of building services in Uyo, this study will offer insights into potential strategies for mitigating these challenges. Recommendations based on the research findings will be provided to stakeholders in the construction industry, policymakers, and urban planners to address the issue of cost escalation in property development. Overall, this study is significant as it addresses a critical issue affecting property development in Uyo urban. The research findings will help stakeholders make informed decisions regarding investment in real estate projects and urban development initiatives. By understanding the implications of rising building service costs, property developers can develop more sustainable and cost-effective strategies for construction projects in Uyo. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the long-term growth and development of the urban environment in Uyo by promoting more efficient and affordable property development practices.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1        
Background
of the Study

Building materials cannot be
precisely defined, but it covers a wide range of materials basically used in
the building construction industry. These materials vary from their natural
state to those partially or completely processed in the manufacturing industries.
Therefore, building materials include aggregate, bricks, timber, ceiling,
cement, paint, doors, windows, roofing sheets, iron and steel product, sanitary
wares, electrical fittings etc. building materials include materials components
used in the building industry.

The changes could be
attributed to a number of factors such as government policies, that is, effect
on modern technology which necessitated development and use of new materials
and quicker methods changes in tastes of client due to need for better property
development, high professional service charge etc. These factors continue to
present themselves and if they are ignored as it is the case now, they will
continue to pose problems on the generally of the populace because value in
whatever form, be it residential, commercial or industrial. The project is
aimed at assessing the relationship between the high cost of building services
and residential property development and at the end of the findings, possible
control measures shall be propose as recommendations.

Building services engineers
are responsible for the design, installation operation and monitoring of the
mechanical electrical and public health systems required for the safe,
comfortable and environmentally friendly operation of modern buildings. The
term building services engineers is widely used in Nigeria.

1.2        
Statement
of Problem

This research work is to
determine the factor that led to the inflation of the market prices of building
services and the attendant challenges on property development in terms of time,
quantity and quality.

1.3        
Aim
and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this research
work is to examine the effect of the rising costs of building services on
property development in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State.

The objectives of this study
are as follows:

i.            
To identify the need for building services in
property development

ii.          
To identify the challenges of lack of
suitable building services on property development.

iii.          
To determine the cost of these services in
relation to the cost of developing real estate.

iv.          
To reconcile the rising cost of building
services and property development in order to provide accommodation for the
teeming population in Uyo.

1.4        
Research
Questions

i.            
Is there any need for building services in
property development?

ii.          
What are the challenges of lack of suitable
building services on property development?

iii.          
What is the cost of these services in
relation to the cost of developing real estate?

iv.          
How can we reconcile the rising cost of
building services and property development in order to provide accommodation
for the teeming population in Uyo?

1.5        
Scope
of the Study

The scope of this research
is limited to industrial, residential and commercial property development in
Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, and it is limited to Uyo metropolis.

1.6        
Significance
of Study

Findings from this study
will educate the general public on the current cost of building services in Uyo
and its effect on property development in Uyo. The result of this study will
sensitize the policy makers and the government on the need to make and
implement policies that will reduce the rising costs of building services in
Uyo metropolis, thereby encouraging massive housing development all over the
state capital. This research will also serve as a resource base to other
scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this
field subsequently.

1.7        
The
Study Area

Uyo is the state capital of
Akwa Ibom, an oil-producing state in Nigeria. The town became the capital of
the state on September 25, 1987 following the creation of Akwa Ibom State from
erstwhile Cross River State. The University of Uyo is located in this town. The
population of Uyo, according to the 2006 Nigeria census which comprises Uyo and
Itu is 427,873 while the urban area, including Uruan is 554,906.

The city can be reached by
road via the A342 highway, as well as Abak road, Nwaniba road, Calabar-Itu
road, Oron road, Idoro road and Aka road. Nearby airports include Akwa Ibom
International Airport at Okobo and Margaret Ekpo International Airport in
Calabar.

Uyo is a fast-growing city
as it has witnessed some infrastructural growth in the past nine (9) years. It
was in intensive network of road such as the IBB way, Atiku Abubakar Avenue,
Udo Udoma Avenue, Nsikak Eduok Avenue and Edet Akpan Avenue which are eight
lanes super-highway and currently the widest road in Uyo.

Uyo lacks modern rail
infrastructure as in common in most new post colonial towns in Nigeria, taxis,
buses and tricycles are the major means of transportation. Motorcycles are
restricted to the city limits and tricycles are restricted from operating
within 10 kilometres radius of the city centre.

Uyo is home to many notable
housing districts such as the Ewet Housing Estate, Osongama Estate and Shelter
Afrique. The city of Uyo is notably next and hospitable to foreigners and its
aborigines. Highbrow residential in Uyo include the prestigious Ewet Housing
Estate, Osongama Estate, Shelter Afrique and a host of other choice arrears in
the town and its environs. The city boasts recreational areas such as the Ibom
connection popularly known as “Ibom Plaza” and the prestigious Le Meridian Ibom
Hotel and Golf Resort, the Ibom Tropicana entertainment center. Uyo also has a
green recreational park known as “Love Garden”.

Uyo is home to the
University of Uyo, formerly known as the University of Cross Rivers State. Its
name was changed in 1991 when the government of Nigeria established it as a
federal university. It is campus in Ikpa road, permanent site main campus in
Nwaniba road, UUTH/medical campus at Abak road and Ime Umana campus at Ediene
Abak. Uyo also houses various secondary schools which are both public and
privately owned.

 

THE
MAP

1.8        
Definition
of Terms

Development:
This is the carrying out of building engineering mining or other operations on,
in, over or under the land or the making of any materials change in the use of
any building or on the land.

 

Services:
Building services are the utilities in a building to serve and give comfort to
the occupant of the building e.g. are electrical fittings, water supply,
sanitary fittings, etc.

 

Developer: By
this, we mean an individual or body engage in improving quantitatively and
qualitatively the supply of building or properties (Ndaji, 2003).

 

Estate: An
estate is a legal entity denoting the character and quality or rights an owner
posse in a property or it is an extensive area of land in the country, usually
with a large house, owned by the one person, family or organization.

 

Investment:
This means the tying down of money in landed property with the aim of securing
future annual income or a future capital sum from the property (Mary and
Richard, 2010).

 

Survey:
This is the plotting and surveying or contours on map or plan.  

 

Flats: It
is a block units of accommodation on one floor for a single family occupation
with all the service located within the units.

 

Semi-detached
Bungalow: Two units on one floor for two family occupations
separated from each other by a partition wall will all services located within
the units.

 

Terrace
Bungalow: There are several units of accommodation still in one
floor for several family occupations with all services located with the units.
There are more than two bungalow jointed together.