2.1 Study Area
Akure lies on latitude 70 5’ North of the equator and longitude 50 15’ East of the Greenwich Meridian. It is about 370m above the sea level, it is situated within a 48-kilometer (km) radius to major towns in Ondo State, via Ondo to the South, Owo to the East and Iju/Itaogbolu to the North. Easy access and geographical centrality of Akure to these towns have enhanced the growth prospect of the City. The population of Akure in 1963 was put 71,006 and by 1999, the population had risen to 239,124 (NPC, 1996). By the year 2006, the population had increased to 340,021 (NPC, 2006). The city has expanded continuously in all directions in the past two decades. Many significant changes have been experienced in terms of urbanization, industrialization, expansion of road network, and infrastructure. The city has been subjected to persistent road traffic and commercial activities due to overall increase in prosperity, fast development, and expansion of the economy. Very few studies have been carried out to investigate and assess noise pollution in Akure metropolis. This study will examine the noise levels in the selected residential neighborhoods, commercial, and educational areas of Akure Metropolis with a view to considering the quality of livelihood that the residents are being subjected to.