Unplanned and overcrowded market places especially in developing countries usually grapple with sanitation problems.
This phenomenon poses threats such as pollution of the environment and deterioration of city landscape. In Akure the
capital of Ondo State, Nigeria, government in its urban renewal effort introduced neighbourhood markets in a
decentralized market system, as a way of resolving these problems. This study focuses on the extent of these urban
renewal efforts and their impacts on the socio-economic and general wellbeing of the market users. It further suggests
ways to achieve proper sanitation in markets places in a manner that is sustainable. The methodology includes the use
of structured questionnaires, interviews, as well as observations. The study reveals a successful decongestion of the
king’s market and a considerable improvement in sanitation. It concludes that sanitation in market places is absolutely
expedient to ensure public health and proper public hygiene.