Variability of sense of place in Nigerian coastal communities

Abstract

AbstractThis study gathered residents' perceptual data to explore the variability of sense of place in coastal communities in Lagos, Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to respondents from one in every 10 buildings using a systematic random sampling technique. Each respondent (preferably the oldest family member) was surveyed in the chosen residential buildings. In total, 265 questionnaires were completed and submitted for analysis. The findings revealed that residents' satisfaction levels with living in a coastal community were directly and positively proportional to the coastline's distance. In addition to this insight, the residents' satisfaction levels during the dry season differed significantly from that shown during the wet season. The results indicated a significant spatiotemporal relationship between satisfaction with safety, maintenance of streets, vehicular circulation, traffic density, and recreational facilities, altogether with a sense of place. It was established that sense of place was, at times, spatially heterogeneous and showed seasonal variability in coastal communities of Nigeria.