Residential polarization in a sub-Sahara African megacity: an exploratory study of Lagos

Abstract

Urban scholars, especially geographers and planners, have long realized that the city built environment exhibits a complex geography. This has led to the evolution of the theory of spatial inequality or uneven spatial development. In spite of this, only few studies on residential polarization in African megacities have been reported. Consequently, the patterns and bases of housing polarization in African cities remain inadequately explained. This study therefore explores the spatial variations of housing quality in an African leading megacity, Lagos, with a view to determining their underlying bases and practical implications. Using a stratified systematic random sampling, data were collected through an extensive housing survey carried out on 1485 household residences in 56 electoral wards within 12 administrative units in Lagos megacity. The megacity was stratified into three residential density neighbourhoods: low residential density (LRD), medium residential density (MRD) and high residential density (HRD) areas. Techniques of principal component analysis (PCA) and geographic information systems were used to depict spatial variations in the residential quality in the study area. Findings indicate a polarization of residential quality in Lagos along three residential density areas. The multiunit housing type dominates the HRD, while flats dominate the MRD and LRD areas. The PCA exploratory analysis shows that the residential polarization that exists in the three neighbourhoods is based on location, dwelling facility, interior quality, exterior quality, neighbourhood integrity, social bond, barrier to entry and security. The practical implications of this polarization for housing and urban development are explicitly given.