Spatial Dichotomy in Incidence and Impacts of Abandoned Structures on Residents in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined the spatial variation in the incidence, causes and impacts of abandoned structures in Ilorin, Nigeria. Primary data was collected through questionnaire from 581 residents in selected localities in urban and rural areas. Direct observation and physical counting were carried out to determine the incidence of abandoned structures in the study area. Data on incidence, prevalence and categories of abandoned structures in the study area were summarized using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square was used to test the differences between incidence and causes of abandoned structures in urban and rural areas. Z-score was used to analyze the physical counting of the abandoned buildings and compared the relative raw scores from different localities in the study area on categories of abandonment. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine urban-rural variations in the incidence, causes and impacts of abandoned structures in the study area. Four indices were developed: Causes of Abandoned Structures Index’ (CASI), Environmental Impact of Abandonment Index (EIAI), Psycho-Social Impact of Abandoned Structures Index (PSIASI) and Economic Impact of Abandonment Index (EcIAI). CASI, EIAI and PSIASI were employed respectively to measure causes, environmental and psycho – social impacts of abandonment in Ilorin. It is established that there is significant variation in the incidence and causes of abandoned structures between urban and rural areas of Ilorin. The most pronounced psychosocial effect of abandonment in the study area is ‘theft’ (PSIASI = 4.38). Prominent economic variables of abandonment in the study area range from ‘affecting communal development levy’ (EcIAI = 3.88) to ‘property value decline’ (EcIAI = 3.61) to property vandalization’ (EcIAI = 3.60). The study concluded that environmental impacts of abandonment in the study area varied spatially.  The study therefore suggests that abandoned structure should be identified and compiled by Town Planning Authorities after which the owners could be contacted and mandated to work on the structures based on the level of negative impacts associated with such structures. Some of the government owned abandoned properties could be auctioned or donated to the respective community for better usage.

Keywords: Abandonment, Development, Environmental Impacts, Residents

DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/58-09

Publication date:September 30^th 2019