Lagos - Urban issues and challenges
What is urbanisation?
The increase in the proportion of the world's population who live in cities.
What is urbanisation the result of?
What is urban growth?
The increase in the area covered by cities.
Describe the proportions of people living in cities around the world.
- Rich countries = 60%
- South and South-East Asia = 50%
- Most of Africa = 20%
Describe the trends that occur in urban populations.
- NEEs like India, China and Nigeria will account for 1/3 of the world's projected urban population in the future.
- The rate of urbanisation is highest in LICs and NEEs; whereas counter-urbanisation is occuring in HICs.
Why do cities grow?
- Natural increase -->When the birth rate is higher than the death rate; and the population increases.
- Rural-urban migration --> The movement of people from the countryside into towns and cities.
What are the push factors for rural-urban migration?
- Farming is hard and poorly paid
- Limited access to healthcare and basic education
- Poor infrastructure results in isolation
What are the pull factors for rural-urban migration?
- More well paid jobs
- Range of entertainment
- Better infrastructure such as transport, healthcare and education
- Higher standard of living
What are megacities?
Cities with a population of over 10 million.
What are the three types of megacities?
- Slow-growing
- Growing
- Rapid-growing
Where is Lagos located?
South-West Coast of Nigeria
What is the estimated population by the state government?
17.5 million
What is the regional importance of Lagos?
Transportation hub with an airport
What is the national importance of Lagos?
Nigeria's trade and commerce hub
What is international importance of Lagos?
Hosts major international events like African Cup of Nations
How has urbanisation helped Nigeria to develop?
Life expectancy and wealth have significantly improved.
How has urban growth created social opportunities in Lagos?
Access to services
- Great access to doctors, clinics and hospitals
- All children are offered a basic education by the Lagos State Government for their first 9 years.
- There are over 10 universities in Lagos
Access to resources:
- The Lagos Water Corporation supplies over 12 million people with water
How has urban growth created economic opportunities in Lagos?
Industrial areas:
- The Port of Lagos is one of Africa's largest and busiest ports. The industrial zone is critical for Nigeria's imports and exports, attracting foreign investment.
- Agbara Industrial Estate has modern infrastructure and many TNCs. It draws in foreign investment, and advances technological growth within the region.
What are the impacts of industrial growth in Lagos?
- Manufacturing and other industries have created hundreds of thousands of jobs.
- High income levels in Lagos create strong demand for services and retail.
- The workforce is becoming more skilled and educated, improving the productivity of the workforce.
What percent of the population of Lagos live in squatter settlements?
Over 60%
How much do the people of Makoko earn from working in the informal economy per day?
$1.5
How many people live in Makoko?
250,000 people
What do most residents do for work?
Work in the informal economy or fishing
What are the challenges of Makoko?
- 1 toilet per 15 homes
- Poor sanitation lowers life expectancy
- Air pollution from industries cause respiratory problems in residents
- Lack of access to safe water and sanitation causes infectious diseases to spread
What was the Makoko floating school built on?
A floating platform supported by 250 recycled plastic barrels, allowing it to rise and fall with water levels. This design enabled it to withstand flooding.
What was the Makoko floating school constructed out of?
Locally sourced wood and bamboo, making it cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
How is the Makoko floating school energy efficient?
- Solar panels generate electricity from solar power, which is renewable
- Natural ventilation and shading reduced the need for artificial cooling.
How does the Makoko floating school obtain water?
Through an integrated rainwater harvesting system.
How does the Makoko floating school manage waste in an eco-friendly way?
Composting toilets
What does the population of Lagos rely on for water?
Wells and boreholes to reach underground water supplies or street vendors.
Why is the water in the Lagos Lagoon unsuitable for drinking?
Because it is salty and polluted.
What are the challenges of sanitation in Lagos?
- Diseases --> Cases of dysentery and cholera are rising in Lagos due to polluted drinking water.
- Groundwater Contamination --> Industrial pollutants contaminate wells and boreholes.
- Unsafe street water --> Water sold by vendors is often contaminated.
- Dense squatter settlements make sanitation improvements difficult.
What are the challenges of energy?
- Poor energy infrastructure
- Relies on fossil fuels, causing air pollution.
- Residents frequently experience power outages
What are the issues of providing access to healthcare?
- Lagos healthcare is not free and involves long waits.
- Vaccination is available for children but often requires payment.
- Healthcare investment is failing to keep up with Lagos' rapid growth
What are the issues of providing access to education?
- Many children have to work to support their families.
- Secondary school education is limited and mostly private.
- Limited number of schools in non-central Lagos.
What are the issues with unemployment?
- There are no unemployment benefits, forcing people to find work
- 40% of the workforce work in the informal economy. These jobs are unregulated, low paid and often dangerous.
What are the issues with crime?
- Street gangs recruit young children, and commit crimes
- Risk of kidnapping, especially for foreigners.
- Risk of cyber fraud and scams, affecting Lagos' financial sector.
What are the issues with waste?
- 10,000 tonnes of waste produced daily, but only 40% is collected
- Uncollected waste accumulates, especially in poorer areas, worsening sanitation and environmental issues
What are the issues with pollution?
- Air pollution is 5 times higher than the international recommended limit
- Air pollution is mainly caused by poorly maintained, unregulated vehicles
- Water pollution occurs due to industrial waste and domestic sewage contaminating water sources
What are the issues with traffic congestion?
- Lagos accounts for 40% of Nigeria's cars
- Commuters spend an average of 3 hours in traffic a day
- Causes severe air pollution
- Traffic congestion causes delays, which lowers the productivity of the workforce
What are the solutions to traffic congestion in Lagos?
Bus Rapid Transit:
- Dedicated bus lanes to improve traffic flow
- 200,000 commuters transported daily to Lagos Island's Central Business District
Lagos Rail Mass Transit:
- Blue line carries 7 times more passengers than BRT
- Integrated transport systems
What is Eko Atlantic?
A planned smart city which aims to become Africa's finnacial hub and relieve congestion in Lagos.
What are the key features of Eko Atlantic?
- 10km^2 of reclaimed land
- Will house 250,000 residents and provide jobs for 150,000 people
- High-rise buildings, luxury apartments and business districts
- It is attracting international businesses and investors
- The Great Wall of Lagos improves flood protection, which is a social benefit