Housing Quality in Informal Settlements and Urban Upgrading in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examines the causes and characteristics of informal settlements in the assessment of housing quality. The paper identifies the problems that have aided informal settlements to: urbanization, poverty, growth of informal sector, non-affordability of land and housing shortage. The paper asserts that the informal settlements have serious adverse effects on the people’s health, their built environment and housing quality. The secondary data was obtained from books, journals and seminar papers while the primary data relating to housing quality were obtained by means of structured questionnaire.

The paper argues that, although the urban upgrading possesses great potential for improving housing quality in informal settlements, there is a need to rethink and repackage the upgrading exercise so that majority can benefit from it. It is necessary to incorporate community participation into the urban upgrading in order to assist the very poor that cannot take care of their housing consumption needs. Therefore, government is encouraged to see informal settlements as a solution to new city planning rather than problem to the urban areas.

This paper suggests the implementation of policies and planning, physical infrastructural development, social economic improvement, environment and health improvement. Government, private and communities interventions on informal settlements are required in order to check and prevent further decay for sustainable development.

Key Words: Housing Quality, Quality of life, Informal Settlements, Urban Upgrading