University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria Urbanization and Environmental Degradation in Coastal Zones: Lagos City Case Study Julius I. Agboola, PhD University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos from world view
Lagos State (City) Coastline Maritime shoreline of about 180km
Lagos City Profile Situated within latitudes 6̊ 23′N and 6̊ 41′N and longitudes 2̊ 42′E and 3̊ 42′E Located within the flat lying coastal plain of south western Nigeria Hub of business and economic development in Nigeria, housing around 65 per cent of the country’s industrial establishments, more than 65 per cent of all commercial activities and around 60 per cent of Nigeria’s non-oil economy A classic example of a modern city, having transformed from a small farming and fishing village in the fifteenth century to a burgeoning megacity in 2010.
Lagos City Profile Changing land cover in the Lagos coastal area (residential, industrial, commercial, transportation and other use) 1986- 85.4 square kilometers (43.36 per cent) 2002- 111.9 square kilometers (56.8 per cent) Natural vegetation cover (including mangrove and swamp thicket) 1986- 59.2 square kilometers (30.1 per cent) 2002- 38.3 square kilometers (19.4 per cent) Naturally occurring water bodies (including the ocean, lagoons and streams) 1986- 52.4 square kilometres (26.6 per cent) 2002- 46.9 square kilometres (23.8 per cent)
Administrative Classification: Lagos state Lagos State- Capital: Ikeja Five divisions: Lagos, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Epe, and Badagry. 1991: Subdivisions into 20 Local Government Areas 2006: 37 Local Government Council Areas.
Overview of Population Growth
Population Growth-2 Grew from 305,000 inhabitants in 1950 to 5.3 million in 1991 and 9.1 million in 2006 The rate of population growth is about 600,000 per annum with a population density of about 4,193 persons per sq. km. In the built-up areas of Metropolitan Lagos, the average density is over 20,000 persons per km2 The population density in the (Ajeromi, Ifelodun Local Government Area) of 60,204 per km2
Lagos City Development (1984-2010)
Classification of Income levels
Growth of metropolitan Lagos (1900–present) and location of coastal slum communities Adapted from Gandy, M (2005)
Hazards and Vulnerability
Flood History Lagos metropolis recorded the first flood in early 1970s and till date, floods (both river and coastal floods) have become perennial event in the state. October 2010- about 700 inhabitants of settlements along the River Ogun in Lagos state were evacuated to refugee/relief camp by the Lagos State Emergence Management Agency after a devastating flood July 2011 flood in Lagos June 2012 flood in Lagos Statistics confirms that between 2011 and 2012, more than 150 billion naira (about $1 billion) was lost in Lagos
Storm Surge- Severe Coastal Erosion
Elevation of Lagos State above Sea Level Source: Triple “E” System Inc. 2010
Issues/Problems Disconnection between urban infrastructure and the populace Lagos urban city planned before the establishment of regional town planning and urban development The urban infrastructural decay such as poor road network, lack of portable water supply, bad drainages and canals, poor housing and poor waste management systems Inadequate urban renewal policies as well as poor action plans on urban regeneration projects Urban settlers lack the willingness to accept urban renewal projects in Nigeria as a result of poor communication amongst stakeholders and concerned residents. Lack of urban planning.
Historical Transformation- 1 Had first urban slum renewal implemented in 1951 with a slum area of about 28.34 hectares (70 acres) in central Lagos Comprehensive Urban Renewal Programme was launched in 2001 covering 750 hectares of largely swampy terrain. . Slum Redevelopment in Lagos Megacity, Before and After. Source: Lagos State Government, Ministry of Information and Information and Strategy, 2010.
New Governance- Transformation Drive The face of Lagos is changing as a result of a series of transformations effected by a new style of governance (Democratic) adopted from 1999. The current government of Lagos State made it mandatory to establish regeneration projects within the built environment The general concern is how to adapt into the government urban renewal plans without imposing further poverty, particularly those living in urban slums. Lagos emphasizes the adoption of public-private partnership (PPP) projects as a mechanism for infrastructure delivery
New Governance- Transformation Drive Knowledge-based approach to critical reforms Promoting sustainable development Budget Reform and Linkage with Government Activities Institutional Reform for Efficient Service Delivery Partnership Building with Popular Participation and Private-Sector Involvement
New Governance- Transformation Drive Emergence of Eko Atlantic City ( from 2008---till date) Constructions Design 2 Decades ago