Industrial Agglomeration and Environmental Problems Severity Perception, in the Lagos Region, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite all the advantages derived from agglomeration economies, it also has negative effects. This paper therefore underscores the severity of these environmental problems (negative effects) arising as a result of industrial agglomeration.. Data were collected in two different stages; first was the reconnaissance of the study area and second was the questionnaire administration. Information on the severity of agglomeration impact measured through responses was obtained through a questionnaire survey administered to the heads of the household. The choice of heads of household was done through a spatial systematic sampling procedure; on the whole 120 individuals were covered. This sample was chosen to portray the relationship between firms distance and perception of environmental problems resulting from firms.  The paper has found out the negative effects arising from agglomeration of firms, which includes: land pollution, vibration, irritating fumes, heavy traffics, overcrowding, noise pollution, increase in house rent and crime rate. The paper revealed that of the ten impacts indicated by the respondents, air and noise pollution were the most significant. The research also shows that the environmental problems were severe; there is a distant decay effect in the impact. A correlation analysis between the severity of impact and distance resulted in a value of minus 0.641 which is significant at 5% level. It is however recommended that government should invest in the industrial sector and encouraged agglomeration, while the negative impacts of agglomeration also should be adequately curtailed by government, through its laws and regulations which need to be enforced on these firms, so that the immediate environment will not unnecessary suffer the consequences of the actions of these industries.

Keywords:  Industrial agglomeration, Environmental impact, Environmental problems severity, Distance decay,  Lagos region.