Governing the Unplanned Pilgrimage: From Faith-Based Sprawl to Planned Sacred Urbanism in Peri-Urban Nigeria
Abstract
The proliferation of mega-religious tourism hubs in peri-urban regions of the Global South represents a distinctive urban form that challenges conventional planning paradigms. This study presents a 30-year longitudinal analysis of the Mowe-Ibafo corridor in Nigeria, a quintessential "sacred corridor" transformed by four major religious camps (RCCG, MFM, NASFAT, Deeper Life). Employing mixed-methods research including GIS-based spatial analysis (1990-2020), structured surveys (n=400), ethnographic fieldwork, and institutional analysis, we document a pattern of "unplanned pilgrimage", rapid, organic growth generating significant economic benefits but severe sustainability externalities. Key findings reveal: (1) a 54.3 km² expansion of built-up area with corresponding 26.1 km² loss of forest/wetland; (2) a sevenfold increase in local income alongside 50,000% escalation in land values; (3) chronic infrastructure deficits during peak events with traffic volumes increasing 300%; and (4) a governance vacuum characterized by minimal institutional coordination. In response, we propose an integrated four-pillar Sustainable Religious Tourism Governance Framework comprising: Spatial Governance (Planned Religious Tourism Districts), Economic Inclusion (Formalized Vendor Ecosystems with Benefit-Sharing), Environmental Stewardship (Event-Specific Management Plans), and Infrastructural Synchronization (Adaptive, Event-Ready Systems). The framework advocates transitioning from incidental faith-based urbanism to planned sacred urbanism through polycentric governance mechanisms. This research contributes to sustainable tourism and urban studies by providing both empirical evidence of faith-led urbanization dynamics and a practical governance model applicable to similar contexts across the Global South.
Keywords
Sacred Urbanism; Sustainable Tourism Governance; Peri-Urban Development; Religious Tourism; Mega-Church Urbanization; Nigeria; Spatial Planning; Stakeholder Framework
Citations
IRE Journals:
Paul Oluwadamilola Owoyemi "Governing the Unplanned Pilgrimage: From Faith-Based Sprawl to Planned Sacred Urbanism in Peri-Urban Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 3 2025 Page 2091-2100
IEEE:
Paul Oluwadamilola Owoyemi
"Governing the Unplanned Pilgrimage: From Faith-Based Sprawl to Planned Sacred Urbanism in Peri-Urban Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(3)
About IRE Journals
IRE Journals is an open access online journals established with an aim to publish high quality of research work in various diciplines. We have more than 6 years in publications. Over 2500+ papers already published.
Important Links
For Authors
Volume 8:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 7:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 6:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 5:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 4:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12Volume 3:
Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, Issue 5, Issue 6, Issue 7, Issue 8, Issue 9, Issue 10, Issue 11, Issue 12