A HISTORY OF ENUGU URBANISM, 1909 - 1960

Abstract Following the discovery of coal at Udi hill in 1909 by two itinerant English geologists, A. E. Kitson and E.O. Thiele, Enugu was born as an urban town. The colonial government recognizing the discovered large coal field as a treasure of inestimable economic value commenced mining operations immediately. With the mining, the emergent coal city welcomed local and international immigrants. Before long, pre-existing Udi villages and jungles were incorporated as part of the new urban town. This study employing quantitative and qualitative methods of historical inquiry seeks to unravel the city's urban phenomenon with a view to evolving sustainable measures in urbanization in modern Nigeria. Three theories guide this study. These are the Human Ecology, Culturalist/Volutaristic and Ernest Raven stein's Push-Pull theories. The findings are that urbanization of Enugu raises a lot of critical developmental questions and policy issues especially on urban land use planning and administration, security and politics. The development of the city has left terrible consequences on the residents and the communities that play host to the city's settlements. Keywords Immigration; Coal; Urbanization; Development; Politics; Administration