Developing a Novel Integrated Framework for Urban Biodiversity Planning in Rapidly Expanding Nigerian Cities

Nigerian cities are among the fastest-growing urban centres globally, yet urban biodiversity planning frameworks remain rudimentary, failing to systematically incorporate ecological knowledge into spatial planning decisions. This study develops a novel integrated urban biodiversity planning framework grounded in urban ecology theory, landscape connectivity science, and participatory planning principles, tailored to the institutional and ecological context of rapidly expanding Nigerian cities. The framework development follows a theory-driven design approach combining systematic review of urban biodiversity planning frameworks from comparable tropical contexts, expert elicitation with Nigerian urban planners and ecologists, and empirical testing across three contrasting cities: Abuja, Enugu, and Kano. Urban biodiversity data including green space mapping, bird and butterfly diversity surveys, urban tree inventories, and urban heat island mapping were collected and integrated into a multi-criteria planning support system. Participatory workshops with municipal planning departments tested framework usability and identified institutional barriers to implementation. Empirical testing demonstrated that applying the integrated framework's connectivity prioritisation module identified an additional 23 percent of ecologically significant green spaces overlooked by conventional parkland-centred planning approaches. The framework's pollinator corridor planning module identified high-value agricultural urban fringe areas for biodiversity-sensitive management. Expert evaluation confirmed the framework's scientific credibility and perceived implementability scores exceeded those of existing generic tools. The study contributes an original, context-specific urban biodiversity planning tool to the literature and provides implementation roadmaps for Abuja, Enugu, and Kano tailored to their distinct planning systems and governance structures. Keywords: urban biodiversity planning, framework development, Nigerian cities, green infrastructure, landscape connectivity.