LAND USE MIX IN THE CLASSIFIED RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF LAGOS METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

 The struggle for space in Lagos has resulted in the overlapping of the various land uses. The pressure on the existing buildings has resulted in regular change of use in major corridor, especially in the study area. This paper presents the mix of informal commercial activities with the residential building in residential areas of the Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. The study relied largely on primary survey to elicit information from 975 residents in the classified residential areas of the Lagos metropolis, using disproportionate sampling technique. Data from existing literature were adopted in appropriate instances to enrich the study. Analysis of data was carried out with the use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the degree of mix of commercial activities with residential building of the study area. The study found out that land use mix characterized the entire landscape of Lagos Metropolis though in varied proportion. Minor, medium and major conversions characterized the low, medium and high residential density areas respectively. The study recommends that at regular interval of residential plots, provision should be made for informal commercial activities to cater for the minor needs of the community in a way to enhance the cityscape.