Lagos: Case Study Flashcards
Describe Lagos, Nigeria, population growth patterns and why their population has increased
-Exponential growth from 300k in 1950 to 16 million in 2024. Largest megacity in future with over 70 mil.
-Natural increase, rural-urban migration push/pull.
Describe character of Lagos
-Largest city in Nigeria and Africa.
-25% of country’s GDP.
-Centre of West African finance.
-Crude oil exports (6 ports)
Describe physical environment
-Has coastal areas and islands.
-Lots of brackish, still water ideal for mosquitoes.
-Low-lying region at risk in wet season/to sea levesl/TRS. Lekki peninsular eroding.
-Often domestic water is contaminated so many opt for bottled.
-Very hot and only wealthy can afford air con.
Describe economic and social well-being
-27 Gini.
- GDP per capita 10x less than London.
-2/3 population live on less than a dollar a day (absolute poverty).
-Wealth inequality only worsening with expat communties/fortress developments.
-Rapid Overpopulation, pressure on infrastructure, health/crime issues.
-Ajegunle district informal housing for 3 million.
Describe environmental setting/sustainability
-Lots of air pollution (24k premature deaths) but being adressed by public transport to CBD (train). Effective and used by 250k daily.
-“Clean Lagos” to tackle and restrict incineration has been effective.
-Water scarcity in dry seasons and issues with the quality of water. Rich pay for wells for themselves. Can worsen inequalities.
-Lagos lagoon suffers hazardous sewage from a lack of regulation.
Give 2 contrasting Lagosian views
-Some believe it barely functions now due to traffic/electricty provisions. Can be a boring place for teenagers.
-Some believe the megacity development has reduced hardship and improved transport and access to urban areas.
Describe 2 strategies to manage economic inequality and talk of their effectiveness (could say train for 250k people too)
-Rent-to-buy schemes offer low-middle incomes access to newly built houses. 22k new homes by 2019 but not matched rapid growth. Also, far away from CBD. Transport costs have tripled due to reduced fuel subsidies.
-Social welfare programmes. Cash transfers to vulnerable/health provision. Some free child healthcare. Mostly underfunded, not well spatially distributed and are inefficient with their distribution.
Describe cultural diversity
-Cultural capital of Lagos. Predominanlty indigenous. Lots of immigrants from neighboruing counties. Nollywood.
Give 2 ways to manage diveristy here and state whether they’ve been effective
-Interfaith councils (political) promote understanding between religious groups. Eased some tensions but conflicts have still been evident.
-Promote festivals like Lagos Carnival. Fosters unity. But, benefits usually concentrated in affluent, urban areas not outskirts.
