Patterns and determinants of Neighborhoods Quality of informal Communities in Metropolitan Lagos using Statistical Techniques

Abstract

Metropolitan Lagos in Nigeria is renowned for its numerous informal communities, characterized by a lack of official recognition and residents' land ownership rights, leading to substandard housing and inadequate neighborhood services. These areas, though often contested by migrants and indigenous populations, are integral to the city. Despite previous studies focusing on formal city conditions, informal communities in Lagos remain underexplored. This study aimed to describe the socio-demographic characteristics, housing quality, and neighborhood conditions of these communities. Primary data from 1,600 respondents across fifteen informal communities were collected through structured questionnaires. Analysis included descriptive statistics, factor analysis, ANOVA, generalized linear regression, and spatial autocorrelation techniques. Findings revealed one-room apartments with wooden features as predominant housing types. Principal component analysis summarized 21 residential quality indicators into eight components, with low residential and neighborhood quality but high locational quality indexes. ANOVA indicated significant variations in quality indexes across communities, while spatial autocorrelation analysis showed no significant clustering. Regression analysis highlighted the influence of gender, ethnicity, income, occupation, and homeownership on residential and neighborhood quality. The study concluded by advocating for improved dwellings, increased public services, and collaborative efforts for the renewal of Lagos' informal communities.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24897/acn.64.68.202530011