Rethinking Revitalization Strategy for Improving Resident’s Well-being in Public Low- cost Housing in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper investigates and asserts the relationship between public housing quality degeneration and residential dissatisfaction as factors that culminate into low levels quality of life (QOL) and well-being in public housing estates. It discusses the relationship’s implications for neighborhood renewal using Gowon Housing Estate, Lagos as case study. It argues that adequate and functional housing represents one of the basic needs of individuals that impacts on his housing aspiration and well-being. It posits that Lagos an emerging megacity that symbolizes the hope for city development in Nigeria has manifested evidences of residential neighborhood degeneration associated with features of urban pathology and housing poverty derived from rapid urbanization with adverse effects on the well-being of inhabitants. It claims that in developed countries, such residential neighborhood condition would have attracted total clearance and redevelopment. Perhaps resource constraints tend to give a developing country like Nigeria no option than an alternative approach for improving the residents’ well-being in the residential neighbourhoods. The paper proposes revitalization strategy for the neighborhood degeneration renewal using a bottom-up approach. The study utilizes residential satisfaction, habitability, liveability, QOL, and well-being as the underlying concepts. Result from data collection obtained through multi-stage systematic sampling technique of 200 respondents, and data analysis exposed Housing Quality Index of 2.54, Residential Satisfaction Index of 2.33, and 85% willingness participation value for revitalization. Conclusively, the paper affirms that revitalization reinforced by integrated participatory approach and driven by public, private, partnership arrangement provides the leeway for an improved resident’s well-being in public low-income housing estate.