Urban road
infrastructure is fundamental to spatial integration, mobility, and
socio-economic development. However, in many developing regions, the provision
of urban roads infrastructure is spatially uneven, thereby reinforcing
disparities in accessibility and development opportunities. This study assesses
the nature of spatial inequality in urban road infrastructure provision across
selected urban areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, namely Lafia, Keffi, Akwanga,
and Nasarawa towns. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach integrating
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial network analysis, household
surveys, field observations, and institutional assessments. Quantitative
techniques such as connectivity indices, road density analysis, detour indices,
and regression analysis were employed alongside qualitative thematic analysis.
Findings reveal substantial disparities in urban roads infrastructure
distribution and quality across the sampled urban areas. Lafia and Keffi
exhibit relatively higher levels of connectivity and road network efficiency,
while Akwanga and Nasarawa towns are characterised by fragmented and poorly
integrated networks. The study further identifies institutional fragmentation,
weak planning coordination, poor maintenance culture, and political influence
as key drivers of spatial inequality in infrastructure provision. The absence
of a gazetted urban hierarchy and integrated urban development framework
significantly undermines equitable urban road infrastructure distribution
within the state. The study concludes that spatial inequality in road
infrastructure provision constrains accessibility, mobility, and balanced urban
development in Nasarawa State. It recommends the formulation of an integrated
urban roads development framework, strengthening institutional coordination,
adoption of GIS-based planning systems, and prioritisation of equitable
infrastructure investment strategies.
Keywords: Spatial inequality, urban roads, infrastructure provision.
