Urban Slum and Housing Challenges in Lagos: A Look at The Socio -Economic Lifestyle of The Slum Dwellers

Abstract

The uprising of slums in Lagos has become an issue of concern as a result of the effect it has on the environment and most importantly, the people that live in such slums. The living conditions of the people living in slums is a reflection of the severity of this bedevilling problem. Understanding their living conditions will enable the design of more appropriate models and frameworks for the upgrading and development of slum areas. In this study, the living conditions of the slum dwellers has been investigated as well as their perceived resilience. The study used a quantitative approach to study the phenomenon, and a total
sample of 384 respondents was drawn from the population using convenience sampling. Data for the study was collected using survey method, where questionnaires were administered by the researcher to 394 respondents from different households. Data was analysed descriptively using quantitative methods. The findings of the study revealed that the living conditions were deplorable, with lack of good hospitals, portable water, schools, transport, refuse disposal system, and poor electricity supply. In terms of perceived resilience, the findings showed that Fifthly, with regards, the perceived resilience of the urban slum dwellers, it was found that the four dimensions of resilience investigated in this study were present in the slum communities, but they were lacking in an aspect of connection and caring; the findings showed that the slum dwellers were not committed to the wellbeing of their neighbourhood. Hence, the need for improvement in this aspect. Lastly, it was found that the level of resilience of the slum communities was moderate, implying the need for initiatives and interventions that can help in improving the level of resilience.