Yaba housing scheme and the colonial ‘re-planning’ of Lagos, 1917–1952

Abstract

ABSTRACT The paper is a discussion of the urban renewal strategy of the colonial government of Lagos between 1917 and 1952, against the backdrop of 'slum dwelling', 'overcrowding', and 'insanitary conditions' on the Lagos Island and the plan to develop Yaba Estate for the housing of those displaced on the Island. The paper argues that even though from the colonial government's perception, it was 'very urgent' to embark on serious urban renewal policy to ameliorate the 'terrible condition' on the Lagos Island, the method employed by the colonial government for the re-housing of people at Yaba failed initially because of colonial government's policy of leasehold. This made it impossible for the displaced people to take up residence at Yaba with serious spatial implications for the urban development of Lagos. As they looked elsewhere for abode, they replicated the same problems that the colonial government was trying to abate on the Lagos Island.