Regeneration - A Pragmatic Approach to Informal Settlement Development of Abesan Lagos, Nigeria

Omolabi Abimbola Olufemi,Adebayo Pauline W

doi:10.13189/sa.2018.060904

Abstract

The paper observes that the ever increasing population demand new urban land for housing and that this phenomenon has resulted in unprecedented development challenge in Nigerian urban centres, Lagos inclusive. The paper notes that over the years, Lagos has witnessed rapid population growth that characterized its development and emergence into megacity with attendant pressure on land for the housing supply of low income group. The paper appraises the effects of the standard of housing quality in informal settlement on the well-being of residents of the study area. It conducted a survey of 200 households using a structured questionnaire as instrument of data collection. This is with a view to collecting information on household characteristics, housing condition and environmental quality conditions of the study area. The paper examines the relationship between the deteriorating environmental situation and quality of life of informal settlements inhabitants. The result indicated that 73.0% of respondents were low income earners, 53.5% of the respondents have lived in the area for more than 10 years and 45.6% of residents were satisfied with access to neighbourhood facilities. It asserts that despite the illegality, 'informal' process provides the means for low income earners to gain access to land and housing outside the legal framework and regulations that prescribe the way land ought to be acquired and developed. The paper uses the concepts of healthy city and habitability among others as theoretical underpinnings for achieving sustainable urban development contextually. Conclusively, the paper notes that the efforts of government to manage the housing need of the low income group through different approaches notwithstanding, the effort do not appear to match the housing need of the group. It therefore recommends regeneration option that is driven by community participation as a pragmatic approach towards a sustainable residential development of the settlement and enhanced quality of life for the inhabitants.

Highlights

Informal settlement (IS) otherwise referred to as a shanty town or squatter settlement has been defined in various ways depending on the planning and legal framework of a country where it exists
This study argues that regeneration provides the significant intervention strategy that aims at improving the informal settlement that has remained a major challenge to sustainable urban development in Lagos
The study established that informal settlements are a reality in Nigeria, which as a developing country has to cope with

Summary

Introduction

Informal settlement (IS) otherwise referred to as a shanty town or squatter settlement has been defined in various ways depending on the planning and legal framework of a country where it exists. For the purposes of this study, informal settlements are defined as residential buildings built on “planned” and “unplanned” areas which do not have formal planning approval It could be defined as the residential areas where majority of residents have no security vis-à-vis the land or dwellings they inhabit. It is regarded as the neighbourhoods where housing and living conditions are appallingly lacking, or are cut off from basic services and city infrastructure [1]. They are characterized mostly by the low quality houses and the lack of inadequate infrastructure and social services. These notions synchronise with [2,3] perception of IS both as a problem and solution to housing needs in speedily growing cities of many developing countries such as Nigeria the settlements have been categorised into two types including the illegally occupied settlement and the illegally developed settlements

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Conclusion