ABSTRACT

This study examined the Impact of Urbanisation in Housing Development in Lagos State. The population of the study was made up of residents of Akoka suburb of Lagos Mainland Local Area of Lagos State. Survey research technique was used for this study. Questionnaires was the major tool for data collection and data so collected were analyzed using the statistical tools of frequency counts, simple percentage and inferential statistics of t-test was used to test the stated hypotheses in order to reveal the relationship between the dependents and independents variables in each hypothesis with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0). A total of 200 copies of questionnaire were administered to respondents during the study, while 164 copies were properly filled and returned for the analysis. Data analysis was undertaken at five percent (5%) level of significance. The highlight of the study showed that there is a significant a change in building footprint in Akoka area from 2006 to 2013, there is a significant effect of rural-urban migration on the affordability of housing in Akoka area of Lagos State, and urbanization is a leading cause of overcrowding in residential areas in Akoka area of Lagos State. The study recommended that there should be a regular integrity check on housing and its foundations in Akoka area of Lagos State.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

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Many communities in Nigeria suffer lack of amenities for good living such as provision of quality and affordable houses, electricity, good water supply, good road networks and other developmental infrastructures. People in these communities often feel disgusted with their condition of living. They therefore, leave their villages for cities like Lagos State. The artisans leave their homes for the cities. The rural areas are depopulated while the cities are overpopulated. The able-bodied men and women who are energetic and who could stay in their villages to produce food for their aged parents are no more at home. This in effect has compounded the problems of urbanization and housing provision in Lagos State.

Urbanization is placing pressure on limited appropriate housing, resulting in increases in the numbers of urban residents now found to reside in informal housing. This presents a range of health and development challenges to governments, including access to water, sanitation, quality housing, and adequate health services in Lagos State.

In Nigeria, most of the available studies on urbanization such as Oyeleye (2013), Uma, Eboh and Obidike (2013), Bello-Bravo (2016), Osita-Njoku and Chikere (2015) were focusing on the causal factors which give rise to urbanization. These researches were also theoretical studies whose findings were subjectively based on researchers’ personal opinions. It is noted that the past studies did not give adequate attention to the environment consequences of urbanization in Nigeria, as well as highlighting effective strategy that can stimulate better urban development in Nigeria. Hence, the undertaking of this research work will fill in the gap by critically exploring the impact of urbanisation in housing development in Lagos State with a particular reference to Akoka suburb of Lagos Mainland Local Area of Lagos State.

1.3       Objectives of the Study

The aim is to evaluate housing conditions in Akoka area of Lagos State in view of increasing urbanization.

1)     To examine changes in building footprint in Akoka area from 2006 to 2013.

2)     To determine the affordability of housing in Akoka area of Lagos State.

3)     To assess the housing conditions in Akoka area of Lagos State.

1.4       Research Questions

This study will be conducted with the following research questions:

        i.            What is the change in building footprint in Akoka area from 2006 to 2013?

     ii.            How does rural-urban migration affect the affordability of housing in Akoka area of Lagos State?

   iii.            What is the housing condition in Akoka area of Lagos State?

1.5    Research Hypotheses

The following formulated hypotheses will be tested in the course of the study;

Hypothesis One

Ho:     There is no significant change in building footprint in Akoka area from 2006 to 2013.

Hi:      There is a significant a change in building footprint in Akoka area from 2006 to 2013.

Hypothesis Two

Ho:     There is a significant effect of rural-urban migration on the affordability of            housing in Akoka area of Lagos State.

Hi:      There is no significant effect of rural-urban migration on the affordability of housing in Akoka area of Lagos State.

Hypothesis Three

Ho:     Urbanization is not a leading cause of overcrowding in residential areas in Akoka area of Lagos State

Hi:      Urbanization is a leading cause of overcrowding in residential areas in Akoka area of Lagos State.

1.6      Significance of the Study

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