Taibat Lawanson is an Associate Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She is a proud recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Academic Residency, as well as a 2013 World Social Science fellow of the International Social Science Council. She has conducted extensive research and published articles on issues relating to urban informality, environmental justice and pro-poor development. She is interested in how formal and informal systems can synthesize in the emerging African city
Urbanization is transforming the human and political geography of Africa. While a growing body of... more Urbanization is transforming the human and political geography of Africa. While a growing body of research explores the urban dimensions of clientelism, contentious action, and social mobilization, there has been less attention given to the ways in which this demographic megatrend is influencing political change more broadly. We argue that the political implications of African urbanization are contingent on local conditions and experiences; there are no deterministic associations between urbanization and political change. To better understand the mechanisms linking urbanization to politics, we argue that a place-based approach is needed. We illustrate this by reviewing and highlighting how urbanization may affect (i) the nature and balance of citizen preferences; (ii) the composition, interests, and influence of elite actors; (iii) forms of political mobilization; (iv) shifting gender roles; (v) the role of civil society in political processes; and (vi) the likelihood and manifestat...
In this conversation RHJ Editors Solange and Ana met with the Argentine researchers and organiser... more In this conversation RHJ Editors Solange and Ana met with the Argentine researchers and organisers, Lucia Cavallero, Verónica Gago and Florencia Presta to learn about the increase in housing violence and struggles for housing and home in Argentina during the pandemic. They describe the intensification of ‘landlord violence’ and land seizures as well as an ‘implosion of home’ as a result of accelerated indebtedness and impoverishment. We tackle issues of feminist spatiality and femicide in the pandemic including how housing and feminist struggles intersect.
Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation, May 1, 2013
This paper attempts to conceptualize the liveable African City using indices of liveability as ad... more This paper attempts to conceptualize the liveable African City using indices of liveability as advanced by Africans. The concepts of City Liveability and the City as a living system are used as the theoretical underpinnings to the study. A purposive online questionnaire survey of 453 Africans, living both in Africa and the Diaspora was conducted to elicit their perspectives on what they consider the most important indices for a Liveable African City. The data was disaggregated on locational basis. This was done to determine whether ones location i.e. living at home or in the Diaspora contributes significantly to one’s opinion on the identified issues. Issues investigated include governance, safety and security, culture and global identity, environmental indices and infrastructure. Furthermore, the inherent contradictions between western and African concepts of liveability were examined. The study revealed that 67% of all respondents consider governance to be the most important determinant of city liveability. Cultural heritage and city image were considered the least important indices of urban liveability. In determining the choice of where to live, 82.2% of respondents consider quality of life, while few differentials existed based on location, safety and security, particularly violent crime and the threat of terror were considered extremely important by respondents living in the Diaspora. The study concludes by recommending the application of broad based urban management strategies combined with good urban governance mechanisms to improve city liveability across the continent.
Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation, Jun 1, 2015
Although many studies have shown strong evidence of a direct relationship between the human envir... more Although many studies have shown strong evidence of a direct relationship between the human environment and health, they have been too generic in nature, concentrating on community patterns and largely ignore the link between environmental health outcomes and specific socioeconomic indices manifesting at the household level. This study, therefore, seeks to understand the interface between household socioeconomic indices and the urban environment in six informal coastal settlements of Port Harcourt Nigeria. It further examined how these interactions affect environmental health. It questions the extant belief that living in a deprived neighbour-hood is bad for one's health, hence the focus on the households level. Issues examined include housing and environmental conditions like sources of water, sanitation methods, drainage conditions and quality of toilet and kitchen facilities as well as socio-economic characteristics such as age, gender, income and household size. Health seeking behaviour and recent self-reported illnesses associated with poor environmental conditions were also considered. Data collection was by mixed methods integrating simple random sampling on household heads as well as focus group discussion with community leaders in Andoni, Bundu, Captain Amangala, Emenike, Marine Base and Rex Lawson communities respectively. Data analysis was by simple descriptive statistics as well as chi square test of relationships.
In a bid to actualise the vision of transforming Lagos into Africa’s model megacity and global ec... more In a bid to actualise the vision of transforming Lagos into Africa’s model megacity and global economic and financial hub, the state government has embarked on and/or supported various urban development projects. Drawing on the theoretical underpinnings of neoliberalism, we argue that governance practices in Lagos are transforming the city in a manner that is paradoxical to the intents of the city’s development plan. This paper, therefore, explores how government practices have shaped the city, and the socio-spatial consequences of the recent Lagos state government-supported developments. Of interest are projects from the Lagos State Development plan (2012–2025) which have resulted in significant spatial displacements – hence the selected case studies of Lekki Free Trade Zone and Badia-East Housing Estate. The study reveals that the Lagos state development policy results in creative destruction largely due to the uncritical embrace of market logic over social logic, thereby entrench...
This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The stud... more This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The study considers the socio-economic characteristics as well as the livelihood patterns and strategies employed in the absence of formal social security systems. The research adopts a purposive sampling of 396 household heads in 31 low-income residential neighbourhoods in the Lagos metropolis. Data were obtained by the administration of structured questionnaires, and analysis was done by both parametric and non-parametric methods. The research revealed that most of the respondents were involved in informal trade enterprises and were living below the national poverty line, as mode household monthly income was between $50 and $125. The importance of informal social networks – especially rotating credit and ethnic alliances as social security and insurance mechanisms of the respondents – was highlighted. The study concludes by recommending measures for building on the identifi ed strengths of the...
This study examines the housing satisfaction of occupants of public and private medium density re... more This study examines the housing satisfaction of occupants of public and private medium density residential estates in Lekki, an emerging suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. Abraham Adesanya Estate (public) and Mayfair Gardens (private) were purposively selected. The study employed a conceptual model which identified three housing components consisting of the dwelling, neighbourhood and management subsystems as being of highest relevance to user satisfaction. Indicators arising from theses subsystems include socioeconomic condition of the occupants, land use, infrastructure and environmental condition, building quality and estate management. Data collation was by the administration of structured questionnaires. 50% of all inhabited dwelling units were sampled. 554 questionnaires were administered using systematic random sampling technique. There was a 79% response rate as 438 questionnaires (203 in Mayfair and 235 in Abraham Adesanya) were retrieved and acceptable for further analysis. Data an...
This paper critically examines Home Based Enterprises (HBE‘s) in residential areas of the Lagos M... more This paper critically examines Home Based Enterprises (HBE‘s) in residential areas of the Lagos Metropolis in order to determine their major characteristics as well as the effects their activities have on Urban Planning. Data was obtained by the administration of structured questionnaires on HBE owners in buildings with more than one informal economic activity. 929 questionnaires were administered in 5, 18 and 31 low, medium ann high density residential neighbourhoods respectively. 712(76%) were fully completed and thus fit for analysis. Analysis was by simple descriptive statistics as well as chi square among others.The research revealed the importance of informal activities, particularly home based enterprises, as a major source of employment, income and services in urban areas. It was discovered that about 45% of the respondents rely solely on their home enterprises and would otherwise have been destitiute. 29.7% of respondents earn between N7,500 and N15,000 monthly from their h...
This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The stud... more This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The study considers the socio-economic characteristics as well as the livelihood patterns and strategies employed in the absence of formal social security systems. The research adopts a purposive sampling of 396 household heads in 31 low-income residential neighbourhoods in the Lagos metropolis. Data were obtained by the administration of structured questionnaires, and analysis was done by both parametric and non-parametric methods. The research revealed that most of the respondents were involved in informal trade enterprises and were living below the national poverty line, as mode household monthly income was between $50 and $125. The importance of informal social networks – especially rotating credit and ethnic alliances as social security and insurance mechanisms of the respondents – was highlighted. The study concludes by recommending measures for building on the identifi ed strengths of the...
This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The stud... more This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The study considers the socio-economic characteristics as well as the livelihood patterns and strategies employed in the absence of formal social security systems. The research adopts a purposive sampling of 396 household heads in 31 low-income residential neighbourhoods in the Lagos metropolis. Data were obtained by the administration of structured questionnaires, and analysis was done by both parametric and non-parametric methods. The research revealed that most of the respondents were involved in informal trade enterprises and were living below the national poverty line, as mode household monthly income was between $50 and $125. The importance of informal social networks – especially rotating credit and ethnic alliances as social security and insurance mechanisms of the respondents – was highlighted. The study concludes by recommending measures for building on the identifi ed strengths of the...
Urbanization is transforming the human and political geography of Africa. While a growing body of... more Urbanization is transforming the human and political geography of Africa. While a growing body of research explores the urban dimensions of clientelism, contentious action, and social mobilization, there has been less attention given to the ways in which this demographic megatrend is influencing political change more broadly. We argue that the political implications of African urbanization are contingent on local conditions and experiences; there are no deterministic associations between urbanization and political change. To better understand the mechanisms linking urbanization to politics, we argue that a place-based approach is needed. We illustrate this by reviewing and highlighting how urbanization may affect (i) the nature and balance of citizen preferences; (ii) the composition, interests, and influence of elite actors; (iii) forms of political mobilization; (iv) shifting gender roles; (v) the role of civil society in political processes; and (vi) the likelihood and manifestat...
In this conversation RHJ Editors Solange and Ana met with the Argentine researchers and organiser... more In this conversation RHJ Editors Solange and Ana met with the Argentine researchers and organisers, Lucia Cavallero, Verónica Gago and Florencia Presta to learn about the increase in housing violence and struggles for housing and home in Argentina during the pandemic. They describe the intensification of ‘landlord violence’ and land seizures as well as an ‘implosion of home’ as a result of accelerated indebtedness and impoverishment. We tackle issues of feminist spatiality and femicide in the pandemic including how housing and feminist struggles intersect.
Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation, May 1, 2013
This paper attempts to conceptualize the liveable African City using indices of liveability as ad... more This paper attempts to conceptualize the liveable African City using indices of liveability as advanced by Africans. The concepts of City Liveability and the City as a living system are used as the theoretical underpinnings to the study. A purposive online questionnaire survey of 453 Africans, living both in Africa and the Diaspora was conducted to elicit their perspectives on what they consider the most important indices for a Liveable African City. The data was disaggregated on locational basis. This was done to determine whether ones location i.e. living at home or in the Diaspora contributes significantly to one’s opinion on the identified issues. Issues investigated include governance, safety and security, culture and global identity, environmental indices and infrastructure. Furthermore, the inherent contradictions between western and African concepts of liveability were examined. The study revealed that 67% of all respondents consider governance to be the most important determinant of city liveability. Cultural heritage and city image were considered the least important indices of urban liveability. In determining the choice of where to live, 82.2% of respondents consider quality of life, while few differentials existed based on location, safety and security, particularly violent crime and the threat of terror were considered extremely important by respondents living in the Diaspora. The study concludes by recommending the application of broad based urban management strategies combined with good urban governance mechanisms to improve city liveability across the continent.
Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation, Jun 1, 2015
Although many studies have shown strong evidence of a direct relationship between the human envir... more Although many studies have shown strong evidence of a direct relationship between the human environment and health, they have been too generic in nature, concentrating on community patterns and largely ignore the link between environmental health outcomes and specific socioeconomic indices manifesting at the household level. This study, therefore, seeks to understand the interface between household socioeconomic indices and the urban environment in six informal coastal settlements of Port Harcourt Nigeria. It further examined how these interactions affect environmental health. It questions the extant belief that living in a deprived neighbour-hood is bad for one's health, hence the focus on the households level. Issues examined include housing and environmental conditions like sources of water, sanitation methods, drainage conditions and quality of toilet and kitchen facilities as well as socio-economic characteristics such as age, gender, income and household size. Health seeking behaviour and recent self-reported illnesses associated with poor environmental conditions were also considered. Data collection was by mixed methods integrating simple random sampling on household heads as well as focus group discussion with community leaders in Andoni, Bundu, Captain Amangala, Emenike, Marine Base and Rex Lawson communities respectively. Data analysis was by simple descriptive statistics as well as chi square test of relationships.
In a bid to actualise the vision of transforming Lagos into Africa’s model megacity and global ec... more In a bid to actualise the vision of transforming Lagos into Africa’s model megacity and global economic and financial hub, the state government has embarked on and/or supported various urban development projects. Drawing on the theoretical underpinnings of neoliberalism, we argue that governance practices in Lagos are transforming the city in a manner that is paradoxical to the intents of the city’s development plan. This paper, therefore, explores how government practices have shaped the city, and the socio-spatial consequences of the recent Lagos state government-supported developments. Of interest are projects from the Lagos State Development plan (2012–2025) which have resulted in significant spatial displacements – hence the selected case studies of Lekki Free Trade Zone and Badia-East Housing Estate. The study reveals that the Lagos state development policy results in creative destruction largely due to the uncritical embrace of market logic over social logic, thereby entrench...
This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The stud... more This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The study considers the socio-economic characteristics as well as the livelihood patterns and strategies employed in the absence of formal social security systems. The research adopts a purposive sampling of 396 household heads in 31 low-income residential neighbourhoods in the Lagos metropolis. Data were obtained by the administration of structured questionnaires, and analysis was done by both parametric and non-parametric methods. The research revealed that most of the respondents were involved in informal trade enterprises and were living below the national poverty line, as mode household monthly income was between $50 and $125. The importance of informal social networks – especially rotating credit and ethnic alliances as social security and insurance mechanisms of the respondents – was highlighted. The study concludes by recommending measures for building on the identifi ed strengths of the...
This study examines the housing satisfaction of occupants of public and private medium density re... more This study examines the housing satisfaction of occupants of public and private medium density residential estates in Lekki, an emerging suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. Abraham Adesanya Estate (public) and Mayfair Gardens (private) were purposively selected. The study employed a conceptual model which identified three housing components consisting of the dwelling, neighbourhood and management subsystems as being of highest relevance to user satisfaction. Indicators arising from theses subsystems include socioeconomic condition of the occupants, land use, infrastructure and environmental condition, building quality and estate management. Data collation was by the administration of structured questionnaires. 50% of all inhabited dwelling units were sampled. 554 questionnaires were administered using systematic random sampling technique. There was a 79% response rate as 438 questionnaires (203 in Mayfair and 235 in Abraham Adesanya) were retrieved and acceptable for further analysis. Data an...
This paper critically examines Home Based Enterprises (HBE‘s) in residential areas of the Lagos M... more This paper critically examines Home Based Enterprises (HBE‘s) in residential areas of the Lagos Metropolis in order to determine their major characteristics as well as the effects their activities have on Urban Planning. Data was obtained by the administration of structured questionnaires on HBE owners in buildings with more than one informal economic activity. 929 questionnaires were administered in 5, 18 and 31 low, medium ann high density residential neighbourhoods respectively. 712(76%) were fully completed and thus fit for analysis. Analysis was by simple descriptive statistics as well as chi square among others.The research revealed the importance of informal activities, particularly home based enterprises, as a major source of employment, income and services in urban areas. It was discovered that about 45% of the respondents rely solely on their home enterprises and would otherwise have been destitiute. 29.7% of respondents earn between N7,500 and N15,000 monthly from their h...
This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The stud... more This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The study considers the socio-economic characteristics as well as the livelihood patterns and strategies employed in the absence of formal social security systems. The research adopts a purposive sampling of 396 household heads in 31 low-income residential neighbourhoods in the Lagos metropolis. Data were obtained by the administration of structured questionnaires, and analysis was done by both parametric and non-parametric methods. The research revealed that most of the respondents were involved in informal trade enterprises and were living below the national poverty line, as mode household monthly income was between $50 and $125. The importance of informal social networks – especially rotating credit and ethnic alliances as social security and insurance mechanisms of the respondents – was highlighted. The study concludes by recommending measures for building on the identifi ed strengths of the...
This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The stud... more This article investigates the survival strategies of the urban poor in Lagos metropolis. The study considers the socio-economic characteristics as well as the livelihood patterns and strategies employed in the absence of formal social security systems. The research adopts a purposive sampling of 396 household heads in 31 low-income residential neighbourhoods in the Lagos metropolis. Data were obtained by the administration of structured questionnaires, and analysis was done by both parametric and non-parametric methods. The research revealed that most of the respondents were involved in informal trade enterprises and were living below the national poverty line, as mode household monthly income was between $50 and $125. The importance of informal social networks – especially rotating credit and ethnic alliances as social security and insurance mechanisms of the respondents – was highlighted. The study concludes by recommending measures for building on the identifi ed strengths of the...
Residents in Lagos are often stunned by developments in their city: new residential estates are s... more Residents in Lagos are often stunned by developments in their city: new residential estates are springing up without tarred access roads and appropriate drainage canals for flood water. Riverine areas along the lagoon used as fishing ground for the local communities are converted into tank farms attracting hundreds of tankers crossing residential areas. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has developed model city plans for all the local government areas in Lagos, but they are all too often ignored by economic and political interests. Instead, projects with immense negative social, ecological and economic consequences are imposed on residents and business owners. This study had a closer look at the areas of, housing, slums and informal settlements, urban mobility and transportation, solid waste management and urban mega projects to examine the existing laws, instruments and policies and how they have been applied to the four analyzed case studies. For example the research teams discovered that the development plan for the Lekki Free Zone was designed by the Chinese investors based on Chinese urban planning laws before it was later included into the existing Lekki master plan.Another example is the slum regeneration process in Olaleye-Iponri community implemented in two phases. Yet, 31 years after the commencement, there has been no significant improvement for the community. A few housing units have recently been completed and are now sold to prices which are not affordable for the original residents. All the case study reports vigorously ask for the revival of the local government administrations in Lagos which have been sidelined over the recent years for several reasons. The current top-down and ad-hoc approach will most likely fail in providing much needed infrastructure and a livable environment in times of a global increase in the influx into the cities.
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Accra, Ghana, 12-14 August 2013
Editors
A/Prof Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dr Sena A. Agyepong, Ashesi University College, Ghana
First published 2013
ISBN 978-0-9566060-7-5
Published by
West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference
C/o Samuel Laryea
University of the Witwatersrand
School of Construction Economics and Management
1 Jan Smuts Avenue
Johannesburg
PO Box 20
Wits 2050
Tel: +27 11 717-7657
Fax: +27 11 339-8175
Email: samuel.laryea@wits.ac.za
© The copyright for papers in this publication belongs to authors of the papers.
Correspondence
All correspondence relating to the WABER Conference should be addressed to:
Dr Sena A. Agyepong
Ashesi University College
Accra, Ghana
Email: senaagbodjah@yahoo.com
Please visit www.waberconference.com for more information
The full report is available for download at http://ng.boell.org/2016/02/12/urban-planning-processes-lagos