Urban Issues and Challenges - Lagos Flashcards
Where is Lagos?
Nigeria - western region of Africa
West of South coast of Nigeria
Why is Lagos important internationally?
7th fastest growing city in world
Why is Lagos important nationally?
11th largest economy in Africa
Why is Lagos important regionally?
10% of Nigerias population
Why does natural increase occur in Lagos?
Rural to urban migration
Younger people move for employment
Settle down and start a family
What are three possible issues created from natural increase?
- Waste increases
- Land/Resources become limited
- Unemployment increases
What are three possible benefits of population growth?
- Brings wealth
- Builds the economy
- Facilities improve
Opportunities in Health Care
Better access to clinics, hospitals, doctors than rural areas
Opportunities in Energy
Better access
Although there are frequent power cuts
80% of population rely on diesel generator
Opportunities in Education
Offer state schools
Opportunities with Water supply
Most people dig wells or boreholes or buy from street vendors
Lagos co-proration supply over 12 million with drinking water
Opportunities in transport
Blue Rail Line
Lagos Mainland to Marina
Expected to transport 250,000 passengers daily - reduces congestion
Opportunities in employment
More secondary (factories) and tertiary (teaching) jobs available
What is the informal sector?
Citizens that do not pay tax but still have jobs that earn money
Advantages of Olusosun rubbish dump
500 people work at the dump
Each day the workers sort 3,000 tonnes of waste by hand picking valuable items to sell
Resells items rather than going to waste
Disadvantages of Olusosun rubbish dump
Natural gases build up - when it is dry it leads to fires that are hard to distinguish
Toxic fumes can be breathed in mud workers which is harmful to human health
Lots of workers wear no shoes/gloves = cuts
Opportunities of the informal sector
Offers poor and uneducated people the opportunity to earn money
Afford essentials and support family
Improves quality of life
Challenges of informal sector
People often work in dangerous and hazardous conditions
More likely to bet ill or injure themselves in labour intensive jobs
Can’t afford healthcare so becomes more severe and eventually death
Challenges of waste
Waste is dumped into landfill
Hazardous to human health
Challenges of Traffic congestion
Average commuter spends 3 hours in traffic
Productivity decreases = economy decreases
Challenges of air pollution
Air pollution is five times higher than recommended limit
Challenges of water supply
Uncontrolled disposal of sewage means contaminated water
Only 10% of the city have access to clean water
Challenges in Health care
Long queues
Not always free
Population is growing compared to investments
Challenges in education
Children in poor families work to provide for family
Most secondary schools are private
Challenges in crime
Drugs, vanadalism, theft, assault, kidnapping
Violent outbursts between street gangs = ‘area boys’
Challenges in employment
High unemployment
40% of population work in informal sector
What is urban planning?
Aims to bring about long term change and improvement to an urban area
What strategies are used to reduce traffic congestion?
Bus Rapid transit (BRT)
The Lagos Rail Mass transit - Blue rail line
Advantages and disadvantages of Bus Rapid transit system?
- 220,000 passengers daily
- Average bus wait time = 10 minutes
- Growing population means increased pressure on system
- Only runs from North to South so only covers part of city
What is Makoko?
The worlds biggest floating slum
Wooden shacks stood on stilts
Opportunities of Makoko
Water supply is more reliable than other areas of Nigeria
Job opportunities in the informal sector
Challenges of Makoko
Most homes are constructed from waste materials - unstable housing
15 homes share 1 toilet
Sanitation is poor and healthcare can be unaffordable
Advantages of Makoko Floating school?
Only public space in the area
Vital meeting point for the community
Acts as solution for affordable housing
Rain water collection, local building materials and solar panels
What is Eko Atlantic?
A new city with reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean
Advantages of Eko Atlantic
Bring in new economic investments
Designed to protect Lagos from flooding and storm surge
Green conscious
Disadvantages of Eko Atlantic
Potential risk from sea level rise
Fishing communities forced out
