The Changing Residential Districts of Lagos: How the Past Has Created the Present and What Can Be Done about It
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Date
2019
Authors
Oyalowo, B.A.
Nubi, T.G.
Okuntola, B.
Saibu, O.
Muraina, O.
Olanrewaju, B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The European Conference on Arts & Humanities 2019 Official Conference Proceedings
Abstract
The position of Lagos as Nigeria’s economic centre is entrenched in its colonial past.
This legacy continues to influence its residential areas today. The research work
provides an analysis of the complexity surrounding low-income residential areas of
Lagos since 1960, based on the work of Professor Akin Mabogunje, who had
surveyed 605 properties in 21 communities across Lagos. Based on existing housing
amenities, he had classified them as high grade, medium grade, lower grade and low
grade residential areas. This research asks: In terms of quality of neighbourhood
amenities, to what extent has the character of these neighbourhoods changed from
their 1960 low grade classification? This research is necessary because these
communities represent the inner slums of Lagos, and in order to proffer solutions to
inherent problems, it is important to understand how colonial land policies brought
about the slum origins of these communities. Lessons for the future can then become
clearer. The study is based on a mixed methods approach suitable for
multidisciplinary inquires. Quantitative data is gathered through a survey of the
communities; with findings from historical records and in-depth interviews with
residents to provide the qualitative research. This paper documents the work done so
far, with focus on six districts. Preliminary findings indicate that in most cases,
although they have undergone significant changes from being residential areas to
mixed commercial-residential districts, these districts still remain in the same
physically deplorable state as they were in 1968.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Colonial Lagos , Residential Lagos , Slums , Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES
Citation
Oyalowo, B.A.; T.G. Nubi; B. Okuntolu; O. Saibu; O. Muraina; B. Olanrewaju (2019). The Changing Residential Districts of Lagos: How the Past Has Created the Present and What Can Be Done about It . The European Conference on Arts & Humanities 2019 Official Conference Proceedings .