Differentials in Metropolitanisation Trends in Lagos Peri-Urban Settlements

Abstract

This paper examines the differential in the metropolitanisation of Lagos peri-urban settlements and the policy implication on locational quality of the emerging settlements. Two case studies of Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu were selected to represent the peri-urban settlements outside Lagos metropolitan regions. Using purposive sampling, thirty four settlements were selected which comprise sixteen and eighteen in Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu respectively. Data was sourced primarily through administration of 370 and 384 questionnaires to household heads in the selected settlements in Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu. Secondary data was sourced by conversion of analogue spatial images, the land use maps and satellite images of the study area to digital format. Spatial images from 1980 through 2016 were acquired for this study. Acquired satellite images from Google Earth archive were brought into ArcGIS environment for geo-referencing. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed using time series and satellite image analysis. Findings show a differential in transformation of the two cases due to varying demographic characteristics of residents, the locational convenience, level of linkages and the regional government housing policy. It is recommended that the regional planning should create a balance between the pace of development and infrastructural provision in the peri-urban to limit the disparity in development in Lagos peri-urban settlements.