Peri-urban Expansion in Ikorodu, Lagos: Extent, Causes, Effects, and Policy Response

Abstract

This paper examines the extent, causes, socio-economic and environmental effects, and policy response to expansion in Ikorodu, the most urbanised peri-urban settlement in Lagos State, Nigeria. Primary data was collected through the administration of 384 questionnaires to household heads in purposively selected 18 settlements in the study area. Secondary data was sourced by conversion of analogue spatial images, the land use maps, and satellite images of the study area to digital format. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed using time series and satellite image analysis. Findings show a spatial expansion due mainly to housing development and socio-economic activities. The existing expansion in the study area is accompanied with socio-economic, socio-cultural, and environmental challenges. It is recommended that the state government should create a balance between the pace of development and infrastructural provision in the peri-urban settlement to limit expansion-related challenges in the study area.