Assessment of Housing Environment Sustainability in the Peri-Urban Precincts of Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in Nigeria has resulted in cities expanding into the surrounding rural areas. This has led to the formation of peri-urban settlements characterized by rapid population growth, increasing housing demand and pressure on housing environment systems. Peri-urban areas are strategically important for accommodating urban growth but are often associated with weak development control, environmental degradation and unsustainable housing outcomes.
This study assessed the housing environment in the peri-urban areas of Ibadan, Nigeria, with a view to promoting urban sustainability. Specifically, the study identified the peri-urban areas and their characteristics, assessed the socio-economic characteristics of the residents, evaluated housing environment challenges via a set of indicators and evaluated housing environment sustainability.
The research design was based on survey method. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to residents in selected peri-urban communities in six Local Government Areas (Akinyele, Egbeda, Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole and Ona Ara).
For data analysis, descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, Chi-square test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used.
The findings revealed that the sustainability of housing environment in peri-urban areas of Ibadan is shaped by a complex interaction of physical, socio-economic, institutional and governance factors. The ANOVA results showed significant spatial differences in housing environment sustainability among the six Local Government Areas; reflecting uneven peri-urban development patterns.
The study revealed that inadequate infrastructure, ineffective development control implementation and environmental management challenges in the peri-urban settlements of Ibadan have been constraining sustainable urban outcomes. It recommends strengthening development control institutions, prioritizing investment in infrastructure for peri-urban communities and enhancing community participation in environmental management. The study provides a framework for assessing housing environment sustainability in peri-urban areas, and defining empirical relationships between socio-economic characteristics, housing environment indicators / challenges and housing environment sustainability