ABSTRACT
The study examines the pattern and growth process of peri urban areas in Bauchi town with a view to identify implications. The data required for the study are drawn from Primary and secondary sources. Primary data includes, the Physical attributes such as physical site, site layout, location of buildings and available infrastructure were collected to ascertain the pattern and quality of peri urban growth and development. ArcGIS 10.1 was used to analyzed the process of peri urban growth and development. The product of this was used to answer the research questions set out in the study which are, what is the pattern of peri urban growth and development in Bauchi and what are the implications of the peri urban growth pattern of Bauchi? The findings of the study shows, that the total built up area of Bauchi metropolis in year 2000 was established to be 34.5km2. The peri urban areas in 2010 covered a total of 79.92 km2. By 2015, this had increased to 109.55km2. The area with the highest land coverage in 2010 was the South - West at 25.90km2 representing 32.40% of the total land cover of the town. The growth characteristics of the peri urban areas of Bauchi metropolis was determined by using three variables. These are the spatial structure/form, existing infrastructure and housing characteristics. The factors responsible for peri urban growth were, Ineffective planning of the city, ineffective development control, absence of up to date master plan Ineffective development control and Inadequate staffing of the urban development board. The urban management implications of peri urban growth pattern of Bauchi metropolis are, difficulty in supply of infrastructure, Security, loss of revenue to the government and unsanitary condition. Based on the foregoing, the following recommendations are made, Containment of peri urban areas and Regularization of Land ownership, Strengthen planning institutions, Provision of physical infrastructure. Review of the Bauchi Master plan, Provision and upgrading of basic infrastructure and services in peri urban areas, and need to encourage Participatory development.