3.4/3.5 Flashcards
Where is Lagos located in the world and what is its situation?
Lagos is a megacity located in West Africa in Nigeria, next to the Atlantic Ocean - it is also the richest country in Africa, but not a capital.
How does Lagos’ site affect its economic growth?
Because Lagos has a sheltered port it protects the coastal population from storms. Furthermore, the nearby lagoon is a good source of fresh water and attracts migrants because of its high amount of natural resources. Lagos also experiences a high rate of growth because it used to be the capital of Nigeria, and it still has a large industry with decent paying jobs, which attracts foreign skilled workers who are looking to earn more money.
Why are the slums only around the RUF?
Lagos used to have slums in what is now the inner city because it used to be the RUF. However Lagos’ development of the inner city has driven most of the slum occupants to the suburban areas, building multi-storey high class apartments for the upper class that can afford to live closer to the CBD (where they work).
How has changes in migration caused changes in Lagos’ structure?
Increased migration due to Lagos’ high rate of economic growth caused several skilled and unskilled workers to arrive in Lagos. An increase in skilled workers can fill vacancies in high end jobs and will increase the amount of people living in the inner city (can afford it with high end job) and causes further expansion in the inner city to accommodate for the increased upper class population. Unskilled works who cannot afford to live in the inner city must live in the RUF in the slums - increasing inequality.
Based on Lagos’ history, why are so many people moving to Lagos?
The British colonisation of Lagos, several merchants and traders were attracted to the city. Furthermore, after the British colonisation of Lagos, many ex-slaves moved to Lagos once slavery was abolished. The growing population caused high rates of natural increase which further provided the government with enough money to finance construction and development, which created more jobs, further attracting more people.
How has Lagos expanded, how will it expand, and why?
Lagos has a very large RUF which is largely made up of slums, which is roughly the equivalent size of the highly developed inner city and CBD put together, which shows the vast inequality. In future, the Lagos government are hoping to expand into the slums and drive out the poor families because they are set up on desirable water front locations, which can be developed into high class multi-storey housing blocks for the upper class.
Where are Lagos’ oldest buildings, what is the role of this land and how valuable is it? How does this contrast with the newest buildings?
The oldest parts of Lagos are located on Lagos island, which is currently the CBD, and several of these old buildings have been redeveloped into high rise office blocks and luxury shops. Consequently, the land in Lagos Island is very valuable. However, the RUF is built on low value land on the outskirts of Lagos, although they have expanded so much that they now form part of the main urban Lagos.
Use your cultural, ethnic and religious context about Lagos to explain reasons for high rates of growth…
Religious conflict within northern states has caused high levels of poverty, and as a result people want to migrate to the south to an area where they and their family will be safe. Furthermore, they will be able to work interrupted by the conflict and possibly for more money they would have earned in their old state, providing another benefit.
