Digital Technology Adoption in Urban Planning Practice: A Transformative Learning Perspective on Nigerian Planning Authorities

The adoption of digital technologies including GIS, urban simulation tools, and digital participation platforms has the potential to transform urban planning practice, but their effective institutionalization requires transformative learning processes within planning organizations. This doctoral study examines digital technology adoption in Nigerian urban planning authorities through a transformative learning perspective, making an original contribution to planning theory by integrating organizational learning theory with empirical analysis of technology adoption dynamics in Global South planning institutions. The study employs a comparative case study design in three Nigerian state urban development authorities: Lagos, Kaduna, and Anambra, selected to represent different levels of current technology adoption. Data collection over three years involves organizational ethnographic observation, 90 in-depth interviews with planning officers at all levels, analysis of training records and technology investment histories, and a survey of 280 planning practitioners on technology literacy and adoption attitudes. Mezirow's transformative learning framework is adapted to organizational analysis of planning institutions. Original findings are expected to demonstrate that technology adoption effectiveness is determined primarily by transformative learning culture within institutions rather than by technology access or budget factors, with clear typologies of technology-adopting versus technology-resistant planning organizations identifiable. The study develops a Digital Transformation Framework for Nigerian Planning Authorities. Recommendations address organizational learning strategies for planning technology adoption, curriculum reform for planning education, peer-learning networks across planning authorities, and national technology standards for digital planning documentation. Keywords: Digital technology, Urban planning practice, Transformative learning, Nigeria, Organizational change.