International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management United Kingdom Vol. III, Issue 1, Jan 2015 Licensed under Creative Common Page 1 http://ijecm.co.uk/ ISSN 2348 0386 REDUCTION IN POVERTY AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A PUBLIC PHYSICAL PLANNING PERSPECTIVES Uzoma C. Anochie Department of Economics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria Godstime I. Opara Department of Economics, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria Damian Kalu Ude Department of Economics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria Corresponding Author: damkude@yahoo.com Abstract This paper studies physical planning perspectives to poverty alleviation and rural economic development in Nigerian. Major issues examined are the proliferation of slums, citizen participation and globalization as they affect urban and regional planning practice and the consequences for both environmental and economic development. The study observed that environmental degradation and urban congestion can be controlled when the poverty level of the people is reduced. Rural economic development initiatives serve as opportunities for the planner to practice bottom-up planning as against the top-down planning of traditional approaches. It is also important for planners to take into consideration the economic status of those they are planning for. Globalization presents new economic opportunities and risks for cities, regions and nations, therefore the contemporary planner must ensure that new town development and urban regeneration exercises be aimed at developing globally competitive, visitor and business friendly communities. Keywords: Rural Economy, Poverty Alleviation, Economic Development, Physical Planning, Globalization