ABSTRACT
In urban areas, the main goal of land use planning is to arrange and develop urban activities in physical space while prioritizing public interests such as health, safety, convenience, efficiency, energy conservation, environmental quality, social equity, choice, and amenity. In this context, the research investigated how land use planning affects residential property values by comparing two neighborhoods: Plantation City Estate and Ugbolokposo in Warri Metropolis, Delta State. The study involved three groups of participants: member of the Urban Planning unit of Delta State Ministry of Lands, Survey, and Urban Development, Estate Surveyors and Valuers (12), and residents of Plantation City Estate (160) and Ugbolokposo (180). Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were utilized to analyze data collected through interviews and questionnaires administered to the participants. Findings indicated a significant difference in residential property rental values between planned and unplanned areas, as well as a statistically significant correlation between land use planning and property rental values. As a result, the study suggests that the government should enforce effective land use planning regulations, and residents should adhere to them. Additionally, necessary infrastructure should be provided to improve living conditions in unplanned neighborhoods. The research unveiled that the primary planning regulations and policy instruments employed in Warri Metropolis include Zoning Ordinances, Plot coverage, Building Setbacks Development control/permits, Plot sizes and Floor area ratio.
