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International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)

Challenges of Town Planning in the Bamenda Urban Space, North West Region of Cameroon: A Historical Investigation, 1972-2020

byEdna Namondo Njei; Nixon Kahjum Takor; René Ngek Monteh

Published November 27, 2025  •  Vol. 9, Issue 11, pp. 248–258Open Access
DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2025.91100019

Abstract

Bamenda’s urban landscape is a paradox: a city planned on paper yet built in defiance of every plan. This study investigates the persistent challenges of urban planning in the Bamenda urban space from 1972 to 2020. It argues that the Bamenda urban space faced severe challenges in town planning, which were overwhelming and remained unresolved over the decades. The study made appeal to some selected primary and secondary sources, and conclusions were drawn after a qualitative historical analysis. The findings reveal that among the many challenges, the Anglophone problem/crisis stood out as the most significant obstacle to effective planning in Bamenda.

Keywords: planning, Bamenda urban space, challenges

JournalInternational Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)
ISSN2454-6186
Volume / IssueVolume 9, Issue 11
Pages248–258
Publication dateNovember 27, 2025
DOI10.47772/IJRISS.2025.91100019
PublisherRSIS International
LicenseOpen Access

How to cite this article

Edna Namondo Njei, Nixon Kahjum Takor, & René Ngek Monteh (2025). Challenges of Town Planning in the Bamenda Urban Space, North West Region of Cameroon: A Historical Investigation, 1972-2020. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 9(11), 248-258. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.91100019

BibTeX

@article{Edna2025,
  title   = {Challenges of Town Planning in the Bamenda Urban Space, North West Region of Cameroon: A Historical Investigation, 1972-2020},
  author  = {Edna Namondo Njei and Nixon Kahjum Takor and René Ngek Monteh},
  journal = {International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)},
  volume  = {9},
  number  = {11},
  pages   = {248--258},
  year    = {2025},
  doi     = {10.47772/IJRISS.2025.91100019},
  publisher = {RSIS International}
}