Examination of the Role of Planning in Land Development in Owerri, Imo State: The Estate Surveyor and Valuer Perspective.

Land development remains a critical driver of urban growth, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanizing cities of sub-Saharan Africa. In Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, increasing urban expansion has intensified challenges related to land use control, infrastructure provision, environmental degradation, and non-compliance with development standards. This study examines the role of planning in land development in Owerri from the professional perspective of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, who occupy a strategic position at the interface of land economics, development appraisal, and urban management. The study adopts a mixed-methods research design, combining structured questionnaire surveys administered to registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers, planners, and land administrators with key informant interviews and documentary analysis of statutory planning instruments. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings reveal that effective planning significantly influences land development outcomes by enhancing land value optimization, reducing development risks, improving infrastructure coordination, and promoting sustainable land use patterns. However, the study identifies critical constraints, including weak development control enforcement, political interference, inadequate professional collaboration, and outdated planning frameworks. The results underscore the necessity of integrating planning principles more firmly into land development decision-making processes led by Estate Surveyors and Valuers. The study concludes that strengthening institutional coordination, updating planning regulations, and enhancing professional capacity will significantly improve land development efficiency and urban livability in Owerri. The paper contributes to empirical discourse on land development planning in developing cities and offers policy-relevant insights for sustainable urban growth.