THE REBIRTH

REBIRTH OF A SLUM:
SLUM:
FACILITATING THE ARRIVAL FUNCTIONS OF SLUMS: AN URBAN DESIGN PERSPECTIVE

Maryann Ijeoma Nwosu

‘This dissertation is submitted in part fulfilment of the regulations for the MA in Urban Design’

Joint Centre for Urban Design

Oxford Brookes University
August, 2011

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ABSTRACT
Cities are the future of the world; the UN projects that cities would
account for virtually all world population by 2050 (UN report, 2003).
With its promises and illusions of economic success cities attract
millions of rural dwellers all across the world every year resulting in
changes in the spatial and socio-economic settings of the urban fabric.
But this change to the urban landscape has not been without its negative
effects one of which is the increase in slums.
Slums, often associated with poverty and crimes accommodates the
most disadvantaged, misrepresented and marginalized population in the
urban setting especially in the developing world. With its many social,
economic and environmental problems they have gained global
attention, concern and sympathy. This research aims to understand the
dynamics behind slum formation, and examines its often overlooked
role in the growth of cities.
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The research focuses on Saunders (2010) theory of slums as ‘arrival
cities’ as a key to improving the quality of living of slums dwellers, and
also on the role of urban design in the arrival process of slums. The
methodology involves examining and identifying those characters and
dynamics that blocks the path to arrival in slums and applying urban
design principles to the relevant areas through an enquiry by design
approach to test that it facilitates arrival. Ajegunle slum in Lagos,
Nigeria is used as a test site. The use of urban design principles in the
context of slums is a key aspect of this research. While the main goal is
to facilitate arrival function of slums, the research also tests the
adaptability of urban design principles to suite different environments.
Word Count: 19,485
CONTENTS
List of Figures
List of tables
Acknowledgement

Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………..........................................................................11
1.1 Background Information and Purpose of the research…………………………………………………………………………………………...…..12
1.1.1 The meaning of slums.............................................................................................................................................................................................16
1.2 Research Methodology …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..20
1.3 The arrival functions of slums (A review of the arrival function of slums)……………………………………………………………………….....21
1.4 The arrival city of Ajegunle, Lagos……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……24
1.5 Urban design in the renewal of slums……………………………………………………………………………………………………...................27
1.6 Relevance of the research…………………………………………………………………………………………….................................................28
1.7 The Analytical Framework 1………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….29

Chapter 2: Formulating the analytical framework to understand the character and dynamics of slums (using Ajegunle slum as a
case-study)..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................31
2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………32
2.2 A review of the physical dynamics of slum…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...34

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2.2.1 Accessibility and links to surrounding areas……………………………………………………………………………………………………..35
2.2.2 Spatial characteristics of slums……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………39
2.2.3 Hazardous environmental conditions of slums…………………………………………………………………………………………………….41
2.2.4 High density and over-crowding in slums…………………………………………………………………………………………………………44
2.2.5 Building forms in slums……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………46
2.3 A review of the economic dynamics of slums…………………………………………………………………………………………………………47
2.3.1 Informal economy and self-employment in slums…………………………………………………………………………………………………48
2.3.2 Unemployment, poverty & lack of security of tenure in slums……………………………………………………………………………………52
2.4 A review of the social & cultural dynamics of slums………………………………………………………………………………………………….53
2.5 SWOT Analysis of Ajegunle slum…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….56
2.6 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..57

Chapter 3: Urban Design in the Renewal of Slums (A Review of Urban Design Principles)……………………………………………....59
3.1 Introduction (The meaning and relevance of urban design)……………………………………………………………………………………………60
3.2 Urban design in the context of slums…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..61
3.3 Design – Led Urban Regeneration……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..62
3.3.1 Appreciation of the entire site context……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….64
3.3.2 Public Participation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..64
3.4 Review of urban design principles……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..65

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3.4.1 Permeability……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….……66
3.4.2Variety…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….67
3.4.3 Place Identity………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……...68
3.4.4 Personalisation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……69
3.4.5 Safety……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..70
3.5 Combining urban design principles and the dynamics of slums (Developing the second analytical framework)………………………………..……71
3.6 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….….72

Chapter 4: Testing the Principles on Ajegunle Slum................................................................................................................................................73

4.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….74
4.2 Appreciating the entire site context of Ajegunle slum………………………………………………………………………………….………....……75
4.2.1 Connectivity……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………….75
4.2.2 Flood mitigation in Ajegunle……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………........78
4.3 Applying urban design principles to Ajegunle slum……………………………………………………………………………………………….…...79
4.3.1 Permeability…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..79
4.3.2 Safety………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….80
4.3.3 Variety…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….......81
4.3.5 Personalisation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..83
4.4 The Spatial and Socio-Economic Implications of the Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………...85

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4.5 Impact of the Spatial and Socio-Economic Implications on the Arrival Functions of Slums…………………………………………………………86
4.6 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..87

Chapter 5: Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………88
5.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….…89
5.2 Success in Achieving Research Objectives……………………………………………………………………………….……………………….…..89
5.3 Impacts of the Spatial and Socio-Economic Implications on the Arrival Functions of Ajegunle Slum…………………………………………....…90
5.3 Significant Findings of the Research……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……91
5.4 Limitations and Future Study………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......92

Bibliography and References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………93

Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...96

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LIST OF FIGURES
Fig 1.1: Timeline graph of world population – urban and rural 1950-
2050 (Source: UN Dept of economic and social affairs, 2007)
Fig 1.2: Trends in urbanization by region (Source: UN world
urbanization prospects, 2003 revision)
Fig 1.3: Map showing slum population in the developing world
(Source: UN Habitat, 2001)
Fig 1.4: Dharavi slum, Asia’s biggest slum (Source: National
geographic channel, 2007)
Fig 1.5: Slum in Caracas, Bogota (Source: 21stcenturysocialism.com)
th
Fig 1.6: Image of East end London slum in the late 19 century
(Source: London Jewish Museum)
Fig 1.7: Map of Lagos, showing Ajegunle area in red (Source:
Wikipedia)
Fig 1.8: Map of Lagos, showing Ajegunle area in red (Source: Google
earth)
Fig 1.9: Image of a street in Ajegunle (Source: David Simon, Ajegunle
Day; Royal Holloway University of London, 2010)
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Fig 1.10: Image of a street in Ajegunle (Source: David Simon, Ajegunle
Day; Royal Holloway University of London, 2010)
Fig 1.11: Analytical framework 1 (Source: Maryann Nwosu)
Fig 2.1: Framework showing the three categories of slums to be
examined (Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)
Fig 2.1: Ajegunle area in relation to the main city centres in Lagos
(Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)
Fig 2.2: Image of Ajegunle showing the main and secondary roads.
(Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)
Fig 2.3: Unstructured spatial structure of Dharavi slum.
(Source: BBC News, 2007)
Fig 2.4: Chaotic and unstructured spatial layout of Oduduwa area of
Ajegunle (Source: Google maps)
Fig 2.5: Images of the Hazardous location of Kiberia, Nairobi, Kenya
slum (Source; www.flickr.com)
Fig 2.6: Image of Hazardous location of Dharavi slum (Source;
www.flickr.com)
Fig 2.7: Flood map Lagos state showing Ajegunle as a high flood area
(Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)
Fig 2.8: Image of the contaminated river between Apapa and Ajegunle
(Source: Ross Kemp, YouTube, 2009)
Fig 2.9: Image of a street in Ajegunle lined with heaps of garbage
(Source: Lagos metropolitan development and governance project,
2011)
Fig 2.10: View of dense and compact Dharavi (Source: Presentation of
CEPT, Ahmedabad, 2007)
Fig 2.11: A densely populated street in Ajegunle (Source: Welcome to
Lagos, BBC documentary, 2010)
Fig 2.12: Image of a home in Ajegunle made out of scrap materials.
(Source: Welcome to Lagos, BBC Documentary, 2010)
Fig 2.13: Pottery in Dharavi, Main type of informal activity in the slum
(Source: www.flickr.com)
Fig 2.14: Recycling in Ajegunle, popular informal activity in Ajegunle
Source: Welcome to Lagos, BBC documentary, 2010)
Fig 2.15: Petty trading in Ajegunle (Source: David Simon, Royal
Holloway University of London, 2010)
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Fig 2.16: Street hawking in Ajegunle another popular informal activity
(Source: David Simon, Royal Holloway University of London, 2010)
Fig 2.17: Street hawking in Ajegunle, Lagos (Source: Stephanie Giry,
the Boston Globe, 2007)
Fig 2.18: Kumbharwada area in Dharavi famous for its pottery (Source:
www.flickr.com)
Fig 3.1: London Docklands (Source: GeoBytsesGCSE.com)
Fig 3.2: Analytical framework 2 (Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)
Fig 4.1: Hierarchy of needs in Ajegunle slum (Source: Maryann
Nwosu, 2011)
Fig 4.2: Map of Ajegunle showing proposed connections between
Apapa and the Islands. (Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)
Fig 4.3: Example of a Tertiary road in Ajegunle – unpaved and
unlevelled
Source: Source: Lagos metropolitan development and governance
project, 2011
Fig 4.4: Example of a Secondary road in Ajegunle (Kirikiri road,
Ajegunle)
Source: Google Earth
Fig 4.4: Map of Oduduwa area in Ajegunle showing the unstructured
and not permeable road network (Source: Google Map)
Fig 4.5: Map of Oduduwa area in Ajegunle showing the proposed road
networks (Source: Maryann Nwosu)

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: Table showing how the characters of slums has been categorised (Source: Maryann Nwosu)
Table 2.2: SWOT Analysis of Ajegunle slum (Source: Maryann Nwosu)
Table 2.3: Summary of the relationship of the character of slums and its impact on its arrival function (Source: Maryann Nwosu)
Table 4.1: The spatial and socio economic implications of the recommendations (Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)
Table 5.1: Impact of the spatial and socio-economic implications on the arrival function of Ajegunle slum (Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Writing this dissertation has been a very interesting experience even though it hasn’t been without the usual challenges along the way. I would never
have been able to complete it without guidance and support from my tutors, family, and friends and most importantly God to whom I am deeply grateful
for his constant amazing love and grace.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Dr Regina Lim for her words of wisdom, support and constant guidance through out this
dissertation, and also for her patience during my times of confusion especially while developing the research topic – I have learnt so much about slums
and developed a new interest in regeneration because of you. Thank you.
I would like to thank my former bosses in Multi-systems architectural firm Arc. Ibrahim Haruna, and Arc. Kurfi for their inputs and patience

Most importantly I would like to thank my amazing family for their unflagging love and support; most especially my sister Sylvia Nwosu thank you for
your input and my father a true example that arrival is indeed possible.
And Aisha Ibrahim thank you for putting up with me and making it easier.

And finally I would like to thank the local residents of Ajegunle slum for their kind reception, and their constant smile despite the hardships they face
constantly.

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 CHAPTER 1:
1:
INTRODUCTION

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1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION & PURPOSE OF a question of if cities would grow but rather how cities would cope with
THE RESAERCH the changes and problems associated with this dramatic population
growth.

We live in the age of the city. The city is everything to us – it

Over a third of the world’s population is on the move from village to
consumes us, and for that reason we glorify it. (Okome 2002)
cities; the UN statistics reports that everyday about 180,000 rural
dwellers all across the world migrate into cities in search of the
The world is currently experiencing a massive shift of human
proverbial ‘greener pastures’. Presently, about 3.3 billion people more
population from rural settlements into urban areas making the world’s
than half of the worlds population live in cities and it is expected that
population increasingly urbanized at an alarming rate, even faster than
eventually, cities would account for virtually all future world
originally predicted and for the first time in history, urban population
population growth which is expected to peak at about 10 billion in 2050
has outnumbered rural population. The advent of industrialization and
(Davis 2006). The UN reports that by the year 2030 three quarters of
globalisation has put inexorable pressures on the urban environment
the world population will be living in cities and by 2050 the worlds
and produced many negative outcomes, one of which is the main focus
cities would absorb an additional 3.1 billion people and by centuries
of this research.
end the entire world even poor nations like sub Saharan Africa will be
Within the past 50 years, urban population has accelerated at a dramatic
at least three quarters urban. We will end this century as wholly urban
pace, and has brought about so many changes, so much that according
species (Saunders 2010:1)
to migration scholars the urban form will never be the same again.
Studies predict that this increase in urban population is likely to The global proportion of urban population has risen significantly and
continue for at least the next 30 years (UN report 2003). It is no longer steadily within the past 5 decades. According to statistics by the UN -

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In 1800 only 2 percent of world population lived in cities, in 1900 this
increased to 13 percent, and by 1950, 30 percent of the worlds
population was urban. Global urban population continuously increased
and by 2005, over 49 percent of all people lived in cities, the UN
estimates that by 2030 world urban population would have increased to
60 percent.
Fig 1.1: Timeline graph of world population – urban and rural 1950-2050
Source: UN Dept of economic and social affairs, 2007
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This increase in the spatial scale and density of urban settlements is
referred to as urbanization; the UN defines it as the physical growth of
cities and the movement of people from rural to urban areas.
Urbanisation is a process that has occurred or is occurring in nearly
every part of the world that humans live in.
The twenty-first century - dubbed the ‘urban millennium’ or the
‘tipping point’ by migration scholars has witnessed a remarkable
increase in the rate of global urbanization which is why urbanization is
now regarded as the most critical issue of the century that requires
urgent attention in order to avoid future urban disasters.
Rapid urbanization is especially commonplace in developing cities like
Lagos, Mumbai, Mexico City, Seoul, Manila, Jakarta and Dhaka. 95%
of world population growth is happening in the mega cities of third
world countries with the highest growth occurring in Asia and Africa
(International Social Sciences Journal). People and planet reports that
developing countries would absorb nearly all of the world’s population
increases between today and 2030 and by that time, Latin America and
the Caribbean’s will be at least 84% urban and more than half of all
Asians and Africans will live in urban areas. But the reality is that most
of these cities in the developing world do not have the resources to cope
with this relentless growth and are ill equipped to deal with this pace of
change which is only likely to create spatial, social and economic
issues.
Fig 1.2: Trends in urbanization by regio0n
Source: UN world urbanization prospects, 2003 revision
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Urbanization is a result of the natural expansion of existing population,
the shift from a pre industrial society to an industrial society
(Industrialization) and an increase in rural-urban migration.
In spite of its many advantages, the industrialization of agriculture
negatively affected the economy of many rural dwellers most of whom
are small sized farmers, rendering many rural dwellers unemployed and
redundant.
Also unpredictable environmental conditions like drought, famine and
flooding which are common in rural areas, makes it difficult for rural
dwellers to improve their standard of living making survival extremely
challenging.
This inability to earn sufficient incomes as well as other factors like
poverty, environmental degradation, religious strife, political
persecution, insecurity, and lack of basic infrastructure and services
pushes many rural dwellers to migrate into urban areas in search of
economic success. A phenomenon generally referred to as ‘rural flight’.
To the rural migrant, cities offer better economic opportunities, and
other advantages like education, electricity, water, medical services,
shelter, security and food.
Rural-urban migration is actually an improvement and a positive
phenomenon because life in rural areas is no fairy tale and entails
extreme hardship. Rural areas are characterised by poverty, excessive
population growth, limited access to education and health facilities.
Rural living is the largest single killer of humans, the greatest source of
malnutrition, infant mortality and reduced life-spans (Saunders, 2010:
pg23)
Rural-urban migration is responsible for the rapid growth of many cities
like Chicago in the late 19th century, Mumbai, New York, Lima, Lagos,
Cairo, Karachi, Calcutta, Jakarta, Beijing, Manila, Marrakesh, Rio de
Janeiro, Mexico city, Sao Paulo and many other cities.
The impact of urbanization and how cities respond to it differs in every
city, but usually urbanization always greatly affects the spatial and
socio-economic designs of cities. It is a serious global issue that is
bound to affect almost everyone in substantial ways and if it is
neglected, dismissed or mismanaged the effects could be catastrophic to
the urban environment.
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Although urbanization can partly be accredited for modernization,
increase in urban labour force, economic developments and other social
benefits, there is still increasing concern about the effects of expanding
cities (urbanization) on human health, livelihood and the environment.
As the number of urban–rural migrant’s increases, cities all over the
world are finding it more difficult to deal with the spatial and socio-
economic changes involved. The most common problems associated
with mass urbanization includes; insufficient housing, unemployment,
increase in the rate of poverty, environmental degradation, and an
increase in crime rate but the most obvious and serious effect of
urbanization is an increase in the growth of squatter and informal
settlements (slums) all around the rapidly expanding cities of the
developing world.
Slums and the many problems associated with it is the main focus of
this research.
1.1.1 THE MEANING OF SLUMS There are slums in almost every city in the world (developed and
developing cities) all varying in scale, but they are especially common
Rapid global urbanization has resulted in an increase of slums as cities and intense in developing nations like Africa, Mexico, and Asia.
struggle to cope with the infrastructural, social and economic pressures. Presently, about one billion people worldwide live in slums, and this
More than one in every seven human being now lives in an urban slum figure is likely to grow to two billion by 2030 according to reports by
(UN report, 2003). the UN.
Slums generally can be defined as a run down area of a city This staggering statistics of the population of slum dwellers, the
characterized by substandard housing and squalor and lacking in depressing conditions in which they live in, and its general negative
tenure security (UN report 2003.) impacts on the environments has made it a major global concern.
Although slums vary in terms of physical appearance, cultural context
and geographic locations they are generally characterized by the poor
quality of housing, the poverty of the inhabitants, physical
deterioration, the lack of public and private services, and the poor
integration of the inhabitants into the broader community and its
opportunities (UN report, 2003).
People who live in slums are amongst the most disadvantaged in the
city; they have more health problems, limited access to education,
limited access to social services and employment and most have very
Fig 1.3: Map showing slum population in the developing world
low income jobs.
(Source: UN Habitat, 2001)

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Fig 1.4: Dharavi slum, Asia’s biggest slum
(Source: National geographic channel, 2007)
Fig 1.5: Slum in Caracas, Bogota
(Source: 21stcenturysocialism.com)
There have always been many questions and debates surrounding slums
and how they can be improved or eradicated in different parts of the
world. Many policies and strategies have been adopted in the past to
help eradicate or improve the living conditions of slum dwellers. These
policies have ranged from forced evictions, relocations, support from
the government or complete dismissal and neglect by local authorities
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There is a general negative perception of slums, they are considered to
be threats to the urban fabric; a refuge for the destitute, a place for
failed outcasts, a site for conflicts, gang violence, religious extremism
and backwardness. They are not seen as part of the social system but
rather they are normally dismissed as social threats. These
misrepresentations have led to social exclusion, discrimination, hostility
and neglect. It has even caused tensions in the past like the Paris riots in
2005 and the London disturbances in the 1980’s (Saunders 2010).
This misconception of slums has also led to slum clearance policies and
mismanagements especially in places like Africa, Asia, and South
America which put the futures of thousands of people in jeopardy.
While some of these negative perceptions of slums may be true in some
cases, slums are much more than just social and urban problems; they
are a functional, fundamental and integral part of a cities economy,
growth and way of life. Slums provide a number of important services;
they are the dwelling place of much of the labour force in cities, the
melting pots for different racial groups and cultures and are interesting
communities in their own rights (UN report 2003).
But most importantly, slums are the staging ground for rural migrants
who can not afford the high cost of living in the city but whose sole
ambition is to finally become a part of the city. Slums are the places
where they can live cheaply until they can fully establish themselves.
Therefore the main function of slums is arrival; it serves as an
entry mechanism into urban life, and they exist to bring villagers
into the urban sphere, into the centre of social and economic life,
into education and acculturation and belonging, and into
sustainable prosperity (Saunders 2010).
There are the places where rural migrants go to transition from poverty
to middle-class, form rural to urban life.
The current global increase in the population of slum dwellers and the
increasingly depressed and destitute nature of these places especially in
developing countries only indicates that the arrival function of slums
have failed and majority of slum dwellers have become trapped in these
enclaves that were meant to be temporary. This is the situation of many
slums in sub-Saharan Africa like Chad, Ethiopia, and Niger where close
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to 100% of urban residents live in slums that have existed for many
generations. And despite the extreme hardship, poverty and inability to
fully arrive, many slum dwellers do no go back to their originating
villages, and everyday, more migrants are still arriving.
Slums are meant to be a system where there is a constant flow of
migrants who have been transformed into full fledged contributors to
the life of the city, making space for the next wave of arrivals. Most
slums have failed to achieve this flow as a result of the combination of
various factors like the constantly changing economy, lack of support
from the government, and also because of limitations of the physical
design.
This research focuses on how the physical design of slums – the layout
of the streets, the transportation links to the economic and cultural core
of the city, access to the street from buildings, proximity to social
facilities, existence of sufficient high density housing, presence of parks
and neutral spaces and opportunity for home ownership – contributes to
the success or failure of the arrival function of slums.
RESEARCH AIM
The core contribution of this research is to develop urban design
strategies that would facilitate the arrival function of slums and
significantly improve the quality of living of slum dwellers.
This work explores how to enable slums and slum dwellers become an
integral, sustainable, and productive part of the city. This is achieved by
adapting regular urban design principles used in every day formal
settlements to meet the local needs and requirements of informal
settlements.
Although unrealistic to expect that slums and its associated problems
would vanish immediately, this research considers how small but
relevant changes could make a big difference in the life of slum
dwellers. In order to do something big, to think globally and act
globally one starts with something small and one starts where it counts
(Hamdi, 2004).
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The research aims to answer this question: What blocks the path to
arrival in slums and how can urban design principles overcome these
barriers and facilitate the arrival functions of slums?
In order to achieve this aim, and answer the research question, this
research sets up these four main objectives.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
In pursuit of answers to these questions, this research addresses four
main objectives as follows:
1 To develop an analytical framework that identifies generic
characteristics and dynamics of slums at an economic, physical
and social level.
2 To utilize the framework to analyse urban design principles in
relation to the character of slums and to determine how these
principles can be adapted to suit slums.
 3 To apply and test the applicable urban design principles on an
existing area (Ajegunle, Lagos) in order to determine the spatial
and socio-economic implications of these urban design
principles.
4 To develop a framework that highlights the spatial and socio-
economic implications of slums as an important arrival point.
1.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The research methodology is a combination of both the theoretical
approach and the enquiry by design approach but with more focus on
the theoretical aspect of the research.
The theoretical aspect involves drawing on a variety of information
from small, relatively simple and local elements to solve bigger
problems.
The enquiry by design aspects involves using a chosen area (Ajegunle,
Lagos) as a platform to test theories developed in the process of the
research.
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Information concerning the test site (Ajegunle) is gotten primarily
through local knowledge of the area and through site visits by the
author of the research, a Nigerian with past experiences in Ajegunle.
As mentioned earlier, although slums vary in terms of geographic
locations, physical appearance, culture and size there are quite
strikingly similar in their basic set of functions and networks so
choosing one test area would not make the final recommendations less
generic, but the research is still sensitive to the local needs and cultural
traits exhibited in the test area – Ajegunle because every place is
different and the cultural and local contexts affects peoples response to
places.
As the research is based on the regeneration of slums and on Saunders
theory of slums as arrival cities, the first part of the research explains
what arrival means in the context of slums, why the phenomenon is
important and the general relevance of slums in the urban environment.
This is carried out through literature reviews and also a review of past
cases where slums have been transformed into better middle class Majority of the data is gathered through literature reviews and also by
neighbourhoods. reviewing other cases where these same principles have been used.
The next stage involves analysing the dynamics/characteristics of slums
and then examining these generic characters of slums simultaneously 1.3 UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF SLUMS: A
with Ajegunle slum to check how it has manifested itself and its effect REVIEW OF THE ARRIVAL FUNCTIONS OF SLUMS
on the arrival of the people.
This part of the research involves further literature reviews and site To fully understand and achieve the overall aim of this research -
visits of Ajegunle slum. Data is collected from various sources such as facilitating the arrival function of slums - it is important to understand
books, government documents, relevant websites, journals, and map what arrival means in the context of slums and the relevance of slums
surveys. Through this literature review an analytical framework would in the society.
be formed. All around the world, slums are known by many names like- favelas,
This analytical framework is then compared to urban design principles bustees, ashwaiyyat, shantytowns, kampongs, urban villages,
to determine which principles are applicable. The urban design gecekondular, ghettos, immigrant neighbourhoods, informal
principles are then applied to the test site (Ajegunle) in order to settlements, Chinatowns, little Indias, Hispanic quarter, Squatter
determine the spatial and socio-economic implications. housing and low income communities.
Finally a testing framework is developed to check how this spatial and These names often create a stereotypical impression of slums and veil
socio-economic implication facilitates the arrival function of Ajegunle the big role they play in the growth of cities and in the development of
slum. rural areas as well. According to Saunders (2010) much of the problems
in slums is rooted in the lack of understanding of their functions.

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Although the living conditions in slums (especially in third world
countries) may seem completely desolate and hopeless, there is a bigger
agenda in play that motivates and pushes the residents.
The sole ambition of a slum dweller is to become full fledged urban
citizens, the inhabitants are all willing to endure the extreme hardships,
the filth, and the many sacrifices in the hope of one day realising this
dream.
The draw of financial gain brings the poor from rural areas into cities
and on arrival into cities, they often find that they are not enough jobs
or affordable housing available and are forced to eke out a living in
informal settlements. This move is supposed to allow them earn enough
money to finally live in the city while still sending money back to the
villages to support the people left behind.
Hence, slums can be described as an in-between place, the place
between rural and urban life, a place of arrival or as a place of transition
from poverty to middle class. A good example is the case of East End
th
London a slum in the late 19 century which was described by a group
22
of scholars as the traditional waiting room for admission into British
society. The arrival function of slums basically involves transforming
rural migrants into full urban citizens with social, economic and
political futures in the city (Saunders, 2010).
By enabling this transition from poverty to middle class, slums aids the
reduction of urban poverty, reduces inequality and serves as an
integration tool that unites the slum dweller with the city. It takes
people in, provides cheap housing and low cost of living and also
allows the opportunities of informal jobs. It also enables inhabitants
forge lasting relationships and networks with other migrants who are
just like them – new arrivals in the city. They also serve as an urban
establishment platform that provides informal resources which allows
the village migrant after saving to eventually purchase a house, start a
small business and the opportunity to reach out to the larger city for
higher education or to assume a position of political leadership –
genuine urban citizenship.
Since rural-urban migration is inevitable, it is almost impossible to
imagine what cities or rural areas would look like in the absence of
slums - cities would be crawling with poor people living on the streets,
there would be no hierarchy or order in the urban setting and there
would be even higher levels of crime than there is today, and not to
mention the negative impact on the economy.
The theory of slums as arrival cities (Saunders 2010) best describes
slums because slums are largely populated with new arrivals (migrants)
from villages, and because all the important and diverse activities in
slums aim to propel rural migrants into the urban sphere.
A good example is the case of East end London, England which in the
late 19th century was a slum that was extremely overcrowded and
concentrated with poor people and immigrants, but today after several
regeneration schemes have been successfully transformed into a
desirable neighbourhood with middle class families although there are
still some parts that contains some of the worst poverty in Britain.

Although there are many cases where the arrival functions of slums
have failed, because the path to arrival was blocked or interrupted like
the African American ghettos of the twentieth century, Vancouver’s
downtown Eastside, San Francisco’s Tenderloin, and Detroit’s
Highland park– there are still many successful cases of where slums
have been successfully transformed into desirable neighbourhoods, like
in New York, London, Paris, Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, and Istanbul,
Fig 1.6: Image of East end London slum in the late 19th century
places that all started off as arrival cities and due to proper management
(Source: London Jewish Museum)
and support were transformed to the places they are today.

23
Slums (arrival cities) are the starting point for a new dynamic middle more and more people look for work and opportunities in Lagos;
class, economic growth and positive change if they are properly Nigeria’s biggest and sprawling commercial capital.
supported and allowed to flourish in the right direction but they are also
bound to be sites of conflicts, violence and catastrophic urban disaster if
they are not supported or managed properly.

1.4 THE ARRIVAL CITY OF AJEGUNLE LAGOS

To ensure that any recommendation or strategy developed at the end of

this research is reliable and realistic, it is important to have a foundation
or medium to lay and test all the research work on. The medium used
here to analyse, and test the objectives is Ajegunle slum in Lagos,
Nigeria.
Ajegunle, located in the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area,
south of Lagos is the largest and most notorious slum in Lagos, and has
also grown a reputation as one of the world’s biggest mega slums with
a massive population of over 3million people. For several decades
Ajegunle has drawn a steady flow of newcomers from all over Africa as Fig 1.7: Map of Lagos, showing Ajegunle area in red
(Source: Wikipedia)

24
Nigeria, often seen as West Africa’s oil rich economic power house or Every week more and more people arrive into the city in search of work
as the giant of Africa attracts many migrants from all parts of the even though the city does not have the infrastructure or resources to
continent, and most of them end up in Lagos. Up until 1991 Lagos was cope with this large amount of people. This has put massive pressures
the capital of Nigeria and even though this has changed it is still the on land and has resulted in people living in the most squalid of
unofficial capital of the country and a hub of many commercial and landscapes.
social activities.
The population of the Lagos city has grown continuously for many
decades now. In 1950, Lagos had a population of just 300,000 people,
by 2004 it had increased to over 13.4 million people and today the
population is now well over 17million people (United Nations report).
According to reports by the UN at its present growth rate, Lagos is
likely to become the third largest mega city in the world behind Tokyo
and Mumbai by 2015. As the cities population rises by 8percent every
year, the number of slums and their associated problems are also
growing. Government statistics reports that two out of three Lagos
residents live in a slum with no reliable access to clean drinking water,
medical facilities, electricity, education, waste disposals and even
roads. Fig 1.8: Map of Lagos, showing Ajegunle area in red
(Source: Google earth)

25
The World Bank has identified nine of Lagos largest slums; Agege,
Ajegunle, Badia, Bariga, Ijeshatedo, Itire, Ilaje, Iwaya, and Makoko.
But Ajegunle has been identified as the largest of them all and poses the
most threat to the city.
It was chosen for this research because of its notoriety and size, local
knowledge of the area by the author of the research and also because
the recently elected government is now carrying out various renewal
schemes in Ajegunle. Millions of naira has already been spent
exploring ways of improving the area but there is still little positive
outcome. This research hopes to be a contribution towards this ongoing
project.
Originally a fishing community, Ajegunle is commonly referred to as
the ‘Jungle city’ by the local residents. Like most other slums in
developing countries, the residents of Ajegunle are extremely poor,
have limited access to water, health facilities, electricity and other basic
facilities, the living condition is extremely unhygienic, there is high
levels of pollution especially in the air. Majority of the residents are
illegal’s and most do own their homes. Majority of the local residents
26
do not have regular work, some are self employed and others
unemployed. The slum has a very high rate of corruption due to the
levels of poverty and is considered to be a haven for criminals. There is
hardly ever any police presence in the slum or even access to police
stations and security facilities. The residents live in constant fear of
eviction by local authorities.
Despite this much negativity there are still many success stories of
Ajegunle residents who were able to establish themselves and
transitioned from poverty into middle class. Music, arts, entertainments
and sports are very popular in Ajegunle and much of the social life
revolves around this. Many successful musicians and football stars in
the country started out in Ajegunle.
Ajegunle is an interesting community, where the residents are resilient
and often optimistic and hopeful that tomorrow would be better. They
are constantly calculating, budgeting, saving and sending money back
home with an eye for improvement and looking for the next opportunity
to propel them into urban life.

Fig 1.9: Nimosu Street in Ajegunle
Source: David Simon, Royal Holloway University of London, 2010
Fig 1.10: Image of a street in Ajegunle
Source: David Simon, Royal Holloway University of London, 2010
1.5 URBAN DESIGN IN THE RENEWAL OF SLUMS
Urban design is the art of shaping the interaction between people and
places, environment and urban form, nature and built fabric and
27
influencing the process which lead to successful villages, towns and
cities (Campbell and Cowan, 1999).
A key aspect of this research is the use of urban design principles to
solve problems. This research showcases the flexibility and dynamic
nature of urban design and how it can be adapted to suit different needs
and situations.
Urban design in a broad sense is place making (Carmona et al, 1992). It
is basically concerned with creating places that are healthy, safe,
attractive and sustainable for people of all ages to live and flourish.
Slums are a big part of the city even if they are not often treated that
way, and a good city is one where all the benefits and opportunities are
easily available and accessible to all members of the society. This is
where urban design comes in – to bridge the gap between slums and
cities. Urban design is especially relevant in this study because the
physical design of slums also contributes to the failure of slums. And
aside from the physical design, urban design is also instrumental in
solving economic and social designs of places. It draws together the
many strands of place making – environmental responsibility, social
equity and economic viability (Urban Design Compendium)
Design led urban regeneration schemes are not so popular especially in
the renewal of slums and in most developing countries like Nigeria,
because most regeneration schemes are concerned with the economic
and development aspects, hence this paper develops and explores a
critical perspective on the ways design led urban regeneration can be
undertaken in slums.
This research combines the key aspects of urban design – places for
people, enriching the existing, making connections, working with the
landscape, mix uses and forms, designing for change and management
of investments – with the economic, social and developmental aspects
of regeneration. This is further explored in chapter 3.
1.6 RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCH
In this age of sustainability, economic changes, urbanization, and
information technology, there is increased awareness of the plight of
slum dwellers. The extreme unhygienic living conditions, the high
28
levels of pollution, the increase in crime rate and the high mortality rate
– every year in slums over two million children die from water borne
diseases and other health related issues (BBC Documentary) – have
made slums a major global concern. The condition and scale of slums
are considered to be serious global issues and without deliberate
intervention, the proportion of slum dwellers would drastically increase
which is why any research on the topic of slums are relevant.
In the past and even present times slums were generally seen as threats
to the city, and most slum renewal schemes has involved negative
policies such as forced evictions, involuntary resettlements, clearance
policies and benign neglect; this only created social and political unrest,
distanced slum dwellers from their source of livelihood and destroyed
whatever progress the residents has made towards arrival.
But presently slums are gradually been accepted as important parts of
the city and various proposals and strategies have been put forward on
how to handle the issues of slums and improve living conditions of the
inhabitants. Various humanitarian organizations - both government and
non-governmental – like United Nations (UN), World Health
Organization (WHO), Practical Action and many others have invested
large amounts of money in various renewal projects.
Various positive policies like self-help schemes, in-situ upgrading and
rights based policies have been set up to alleviate poverty in slums.
While most of these schemes have been focused on developments,
economic and social issues, this research explores a different approach
to slum renewal through the use of urban design and promotes design as
a motor for economic and social regeneration.
A crucial and relevant aspect of the research is that priority is placed on
the transition from poverty to middle class of the residents rather than
29
on developments therefore the research is particularly sensitive to the
needs of the slum residents and avoids any changes or development that
would dislodge them from their homes or further distance them from
their jobs which have proved ineffective in the past.
1.7 THE ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK 1
The framework outlines the chosen approach to achieving the research
aim and connects all aspects of the study. It also highlights what
methodology is adopted in the two stages of the research – the
theoretical and the enquiry by design stages.
Fig 1.11: Analytical framework 1
Source: Maryann Nwosu

30
 CHAPTER 2:
FORMULATING THE ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK TO UNDERSTAND
THE CHARACTER AND DYNAMICS OF SLUMS

31
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Slums are diverse, complex and multidimensional entities - what is
considered as a slum in one city will be regarded as adequate in another
city, even in the same country (UN-Habitat, 2003). Hence the
characteristics, dynamics and politics of slums vary from place to place;
it varies in terms of the physical, spatial, social, economic, and cultural
context.
Despite this diversities and differences there are also many similarities
in the basic set of functions and dynamics. And understanding this
dynamics – how and why it works - is the first step to successfully
addressing the problems prevalent in slums.
Unlike cities which normally undergo various planning processes and
considerations, slums generally evolve organically in their physical
form – they are hardly ever design led or planned (Roger Zetter and
Rodney White, 2002). Basically, slum areas are incremental and
unstructured in nature. The main driving force in slums is survival and
this drive to survive shapes and influences almost everything in slums;
32
location, shape, structure, and economy. Although this organic and
haphazard nature of slums also affects its sustainability and contributes
to its many problems, it does not mean that slums are beyond renewal.
Urban design is especially ideal for this reason – its flexibility to be
employed in environments that have already evolved in form.
Slums in different parts of the world can be generalised in different
ways- some are known for the strong informal economic activities like
Dharavi popular for the leather work, cottage industries and pottery.
Some slums are known for the illegal activities, and high rates of
corruption like Ajegunle, Rio de Janeiro and many other favelas in
Latin America, and some slums are also known for the strong social
community networks.
But generally, some of the generic characteristics that separates
informal settlements from formal settlements as reported by the UN
includes; High density, lack of spatial order, lack of access to public
facilities, hazardous locations, unemployment, informal employment,
exclusion from the main city, connections to originating villages, urban
decay, high rates of poverty and illiteracy, high crime rates, poor
structural quality of housing, low socio-economic status and high rate
of diseases and mortality especially amongst children due to the
unsanitary conditions, malnutrition and lack of basic health care.

The research will have indirect implications on many of these issues

even though the research does not deal directly with some of these
specific slum characters. This is explained further in chapter 4.

For the sake of this research and for the sake of clarity, these basic
characteristics have been grouped into three main categories: Physical,
Economic and Social.
It is important to mention that these three categories are all inter-related
and do not act independently and that these characteristics changes
according to local context and cultural traits.

Fig 2.1: Framework showing the three categories of slums to be examined

(Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)

33
 2.2 THE PHYSICAL DYNAMICS
The physical appearance and environmental quality of cities and
neighbourhoods are highly potent symbols of their prosperity and of
the quality of life and confidence of their enterprises and citizens
(Jeffrey and Pounder, 2000)
Physical forms and environmental conditions are very important aspect
of place making. Although the physical context of a place is complex
and constantly evolving (especially in slums) it is still the first visible
impression of what a place is all about and a large part of the identity of
a place is built on its physical form. In slums, the run-down housing,
the congested streets and the general decay of the environment are
obvious visible faces of poverty and economic decline. Basically the
physical appearance can damage or strengthen the functioning and
reputation of a place.
A good part of the success or failure of an arrival city has to do with its
Table 2.1: Table showing how the characters of slums has been categorised
physical form (Saunders, 2010) – Physical form here refers to the
Source: Maryann Nwosu
transportation links, access, built form, streets, neutral public spaces
and the other many elements that makeup a place.

34
Therefore, understanding the physical conditions of slums – the
constraints and potentials of the existing physical character - is
fundamental in speeding up the arrival functions of slums.
There are various ways of reviewing the physical conditions of a place
but this research chooses the following themes; spatial organization,
location, density, housing, and accessibility to facilities, because of
their relevance in the arrival function of slums. Ajegunle slum is then
analysed based on each of these characteristics as evidence that they
exist and to explore how this characteristics are manifested in the slum.
2.2.1 ACCESSIBILITY AND LINKS TO SURROUNDING
AREAS
The location of slums obviously differs from place to place and may
seem like the most varied characteristic which cannot be used to
generalise slums. But there are common patterns like; proximity,
accessibility and links to the city which are very relevant to its arrival
functions. Some slums are located on the periphery of the city while
35
others are located right in the middle of the city but despite its
proximity to the city, slums are usually isolated from the city by
physical barriers like limited access, lack of transportation, and lack of
roads and links.
There are two very important links which is vital to the arrival function
of slums and which is lacking in most slums – links to the established
cities and links to its originating villages
Links to the city is important because it allows access to the economic
and social core, access to the political institutions, business
relationships and social transactions in the city; it is the first stage in the
arrival process and the first step to connectedness and acceptability for
the new village migrants and their children.
Also links to the originating villages although not as important at the
links to the established cities is important because the success of an
arrival city is measured by the amount of people who are transformed
into contributors to both urban and rural areas. Links to the villages are
used to send people, money and knowledge back and forth, paving the
way for the next wave of arrivals and supporting improvements and
development of rural areas.
Limited accessibility and links is one of the most important physical
characteristics of slums which have a major direct impact and indirect
impact on its arrival function. This lack of access and links gives rise to
other problems like social exclusions, limited access to education,
improper waste disposal methods, and fire hazards as there is little or
no access for fire or waste management services.
Addressing this problem of connectivity will help integrate slums with
the city.
ACCESSIBILITY AND LINKS OF AJEGUNLE TO
SURROUNDING AREAS
Ajegunle is located in the south of Lagos state, just on the outskirts of
the city and it is bordered on the West by ‘Apapa Wharf’ and ‘Tincan’
two of Nigeria’s biggest sea ports from where over seventy percent of
36
imported goods come into the country. This strategic location is what
attracts many migrants into Ajegunle in search of employment.
To better understand the lack of access and connections of Ajegunle to
its surrounding areas, it is important to understand the layout of Lagos
in a broader context and the relationship in terms of connectivity of
Ajegunle slum with the main city centres.
The city of Lagos lies in South-western Nigeria, on the Atlantic coast
and it is divided into the main land and the islands. Like most Nigerian
states, it does not have a central city centre but rather have various city
centres in different areas, all with its own standing and functions.
Majority of the population and most of the industrial and commercial
activities can be found on the main-land. Although there are many
districts and areas that make up the main-land the areas considered to
be the social, political, and economic core and the main city centres are
Surulere (known as the social centre of the city), Ikeja (the capital of
Lagos state), Yaba (the educational core of the city) and Mushin.
The three regions within the island considered as city centres and
commercial centre are Lagos Island, Ikoyi Island and Victoria Island.
Fig 2.1: Ajegunle area in relation to the main city centres in Lagos
Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011
37
Lagos Island contains the central business district and contains two of
the largest markets in the state – Balogun and Idumota markets. Ikoyi
also contains many commercial activities and political and government
buildings. Victoria Island is also one of the social cores of the city and
boasts of several sizeable shopping districts.
These areas are the main areas of focus in the city but presently
Ajegunle has limited access to these areas in terms of roads, public
transportation, and the high cost of travelling. From Fig 2.1 and Fig 2.2
it can be seen that the road networks are not permeable and does not
encourage walking but encourages use of cars for transportation and
most Ajegunle residents cannot afford cars which further limits
accessibility to this areas.
Furthermore, from Fig 2.2 it can be seen that there are only a few
number of secondary roads within Ajegunle and majority of the public
transport runs on the secondary roads which means that residents have
to walk a long distance to access buses which further limits
accessibility to other areas.
 One of the most fundamental factors that limit access and connectivity
in Ajegunle is the geographic location of the slum. As mentioned
earlier, Lagos is located on the Atlantic coast which means that the city
is divided by water in many areas. Within the entire city there are only
three bridges that connect the main-lands to the island: Third main-land
Bridge, Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge. These bridges are highlighted in
Fig 2.2 and it shows that Ajegunle has very limited access to this
bridge, hence limited access and routes to the islands which is the
centre of many economic and social activities including the two biggest
markets in the city – Balogun and Idumota markets.

Ajegunle is also separated from Apapa area by a river as shown in Fig

Fig 2.2: Image of Ajegunle showing the main and secondary roads.
Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011
2.2 with no connections between. Residents depend on local canoes
(which is not very efficient) to travel across the river in order to access
the closest road that connects to the island.
Also, some areas within the slum are separated by rivers and there are
no proper connections across which further limits accessibility.

38
2.2.2 SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SLUMS
Spatial characteristics and form is very important in place making and it
constitutes a large part of urban design. It influences people’s responses
and interaction with the environment and it also determines the general
quality of the environment – the value of a city lies in the spatial
characteristics (Lynch, 1981)
The spatial characteristic of places varies from region to region, city to
city and even within the same city (UN report, 2003) this is mainly
because spatial characteristics are influenced by the different cultural
traits exhibited by the local residents. Despites this diversities and
different forms they are common criteria’s used to measure the spatial
character of places, this includes the plots pattern, perimeter blocks,
land use, growth pattern, circulation, built form, and the general
arrangement, size and structure of a settlement.
Informal settlements are obviously different from formal settlements
especially in terms of spatial characteristics. While most formal
settlements and cities are planned, slums usually develop gradually and
39
organically over a period of time and hardly ever undergo any planning
process and even if they do at the beginning they eventually fail due to
poverty and minimum maintenance
The spatial structure of slums is generally chaotic and unstructured in
nature and do not comply with building regulations and standards as
they are usually illegal settlements. This chaotic spatial structure of
slums is further reinforced by congestion, poverty and the general
unhygienic conditions of slums.
The growth pattern in slums is incremental; growing as the need of the
residents increases and as more people arrive into slums.
The plot arrangements are basically clustered due to a combination of
space deficit, and high density. There is no structured or organized
block pattern and houses are built haphazardly on any available piece of
land.
This clustered nature and lack of a structured grid pattern affects
permeability, circulation, and surveillance resulting in restrictions in
movement, limited public spaces especially neutral public spaces like
parks and squares, extremely narrow and uncomfortable streets and lack
of a clear distinction between public and private spaces.
These unstructured spatial forms of slums is by extension also
responsible for other problems like high crime rate, limited access to
facilities, and health related problems which are caused by congestion
and improper planning.
Fig 2.3: Unstructured spatial structure of Dharavi slum.
Source: BBC News, 2007
40
SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF AJEGUNLE
The spatial form of Ajegunle like most other slums is disorganized and
chaotic. There is no structured design or growth pattern. The houses are
clustered and tightly packed such that the streets are also extremely
narrow restricting access, movement and ventilation.
A visual survey of the slum showed that the streets are lined with
garbage, open sewers and gutters because the spatial organization of the
place does not allow access for proper waste disposal services and
maintenance. There is no space without activity or people and there are
also no neutral green public spaces or squares in sight; the closest
neutral green space is in Apapa area which is more than the preferred
600m walking radius which most people are willing to walk.
The haphazard arrangements of plots means that there is no clear
distinction between public and private spaces; the back of a house faces
the front of another house a system locally known as ‘face me I face
you’ which reduces privacy.

Fig 2.4: Chaotic and unstructured spatial layout of Oduduwa area of Ajegunle
Source: Google maps
The spatial form of Ajegunle is especially dynamic and constantly
evolving and changing; spaces are multi-functional and can be used for
41
more than one activity; a residential space can be transformed into
commercial or social space in a day. Due to the limited space and high
density there is optimum utilization of living space. Living spaces are
not static but grow as the need of the residents/family grows –
incremental growth pattern.
2.2.3 HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF
SLUMS
Slums mushroom in parts of urbanizing areas with minimum
administrative control – areas that provides them with maximum
freedom to build (Chauhan, 1996).
This illegal nature of informal settlements means that slums are usually
located in the most undesirable parts of the city. The locations are
usually in the most hazardous and unhygienic parts of the city which
makes it vulnerable to natural and man made disasters. Marginal and
unsafe land – dump sites, railways, canal easements, landfills, under
bridges, cemeteries, unstable hillsides, behind chemical factories, flood
plains, and industrial areas are some examples of the dangerous and
environmentally unsafe locations of slums.
For example in Kiberia, Nairobi Kenya majority of the residents live on
a pile of garbage, and also in Dharavi, one of the largest slums in the
world, the residents live alongside the rail tracks and refuse dump sites.

This unhealthy environmental condition in slums is further heightened

by other factors like poverty, overcrowding, and a lack of proper waste
Fig 2.5: Images of the hazardous location of Kiberia, Nairobi, Kenya slum
disposal methods.
Source; www.flickr.com
This insalubrious environmental condition of slums and the resulting
health problems is often a setback and distraction from the arrival
function of slums as people are forced to spend the little money they
have on health issues.

Fig 2.6: Image of hazardous location of Dharavi slum

Source; www.flickr.com

42
HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (AJEGUNLE)

Many parts of Lagos city is vulnerable to flooding due to its geographic

location in close proximity to the Atlantic coast. But flooding in
Ajegunle is even more serious especially during the rainy season
because the slum lies on a low-lying part of the city that is considered
to be a flood plain. The slum has been described by some as reclaimed
swampy land.
The residents live in constant fear of flooding as their homes are not
designed to withstand this climatic condition. Many homes are usually
destroyed during the rainy season which affects whatever progress the
residents has made towards arrival and further distances them from
achieving their goal. It also poses the risk of loss of life, property and
Fig 2.7: Flood map Lagos state showing Ajegunle as a high flood area
businesses.
Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011
The environmental condition of flooding in Ajegunle slum is a very
major issue which by proxy is responsible for many other problems.
Aside from the flooding issues, water surrounding Ajegunle which was
originally an active fishing ground is now extremely contaminated and
a main cause of cholera and typhoid and other water borne diseases.

43
According to most residents there are no more fishes to be found in the
water due to the extreme pollution.
Fig 2.8: Image of the contaminated river between Apapa and Ajegunle
Source: Ross Kemp, YouTube, 2009
Also, Ajegunle slum like most other slums especially in developing
cities is extremely filthy; the streets are lined with heaps of garbage and
open sewers. This is as a result of inaccessibility of the slums by waste
disposal services.
44
Fig 2.9: Image of a street in Ajegunle lined with heaps of garbage
Source: Lagos metropolitan development and governance project, 2011
2.2.4 HIGH DENSITY AND OVERCROWDING
High density is a word synonymous with slums; Millions of people
arrive every year into slums in different parts of the world joining the
already existing high population of slum dwellers who are waiting to
transition into the city. This is as a result of the affordable cost of living
in slums.
Although high density is common in cities and slums alike, their But this is a character that cannot be altered but its impact can be only
impacts are worse and more obvious in slums because they are managed because it is one of the underlying functions and attractions of
heightened by the lack of infrastructural and economic facilities needed slums; its ability to take millions of people in.
to meet the requirements of the many slum residents.

Overcrowding is associated with low space per person, co-habitation

with other families and high occupancy rates. Many slum areas are
overcrowded with five and more persons sharing a one room unit used
for cooking, sleeping and living (UN report, 2003). High density and
over-crowding can lead to psychological trauma, reduces privacy and
increases susceptibility to infectious diseases and domestic violence,
generally reducing the quality of living.
Fig 2.10: View of dense and compact Dharavi
Source: Presentation of CEPT, Ahmedabad, 2007
This over-crowded and dense character of slums means that people
have to compete for the little jobs, spaces and resources available and it HIGH DENSITY AND OVERCROWDING IN AJEGUNLE
also increases pollution, and crime. High density combined with the
unstructured spatial form of slums and the lack of sufficient high Ajegunle is noted as the most populated slum in Nigeria. In 1972 it
density buildings is the root of majority of the problems experienced by contained ninety thousand people on 8square kilometres of swampy
slum dwellers. land, today the population has increased dramatically to about 3million

45
people on an only slightly larger surface area (Davis, 2006). The
situation in Ajegunle is such that most of the houses have 5-6 families
with an average family size of 8 who share toilet facilities mostly
designed as outhouses along side bathrooms and kitchens (Lagos
Metropolitan Development and Governance Project, 2011).
High density coupled with the other issues like poverty, and
unemployment is indirectly responsible for the increase in crime rate,
diseases and the chaotic spatial structure of the slum. It is also an
indicator that the arrival function of Ajegunle is failing as fewer people
are making the transition into middle class.
Fig 2.11: A densely populated street in Ajegunle
Source: Welcome to Lagos, BBC Documentary, 2010
46
2.2.5 BUILDINGS FORMS
The housing structures in most slum areas are usually of substandard
quality that normally doesn’t comply with the minimum legal building
requirements. The illegal nature of slums and the lack of security of
tenure mean that slum dwellers live in constant fear of eviction and this
discourages them in investing and improving the quality of their own
homes.
Houses in slums are normally built with non-permanent materials that
are unsuitable for housing given local condition of climate and location.
Building materials in slums are usually local scrap materials that are
immediately available and easy to come by, they range from corrugated
iron, mud, thatch, patched rags, paper card, timber scraps, plastic
sheeting, cloths and other recycled materials (Hamdi, 2004).
BUILDINGS FORMS IN AJEGUNLE
Living spaces in Ajegunle are usually built with minimum, inexpensive
and temporary local building materials as the residents are too poor to
afford anything better. The materials used are usually old and recycled
materials like plastic sheets, timber rafters, mud, old tin sheets and
corrugated zincs which are put up in their best creative ways given the
minimum technical expertise available.
The constant threat of eviction by local authorities and the swampy
location of Ajegunle which leads to flooding further discourage people
from investing in their homes. Majority of the residence do not own
their homes and are not willing to spend money on the buildings since it
does not belong to them.
Fig 2.12: Image of a home in Ajegunle made out of scrap materials.
Source: Welcome to Lagos, BBC Documentary, 2010
47
Houses in Ajegunle are constantly evolving depending on the needs of
the residents; they are also multi-functional spaces with over-lapping
living, family and commercial interactions. The limited building spaces
are utilized to the maximum for social, economic and living purposes.
2.3 THE ECONOMIC DYNAMICS OF SLUMS
‘The principal reason for cities to form in the first place is the
generation of wealth and income, and their economic opportunities
are why they continue to attract redundant agricultural labour away
from rural areas’ (UN report, 2003, p96)
The economy is one of the most important foundation on which any
city is built on and it is a major indicator of either urban growth or
decline.
In any economy there are two economic sectors; the formal and
informal sectors. The formal sector is often considered to be the main
engine of city growth but it is largely supported and backed by the
informal sector which employs both skilled and unskilled workers and a
large percentage of the labour force of the informal sector reside in
slums.
Recent global changes like industrialization, and urbanization, have put
massive pressures on the economy of most cities and have resulted in a
decline in the economic status of cities leaving many people
unemployed or engaged in the informal sector of the economy.
Slums are to a large extent a consequence of economic disadvantage
and this economic situation of slums is central to the characteristics of
slum areas. Economic inequality, poverty, unemployment, low incomes
and income generation are significant factors in the formation of slums.
Economic success means everything to the slum dweller; it is the
primary reason why rural migrants migrate to urban areas in the first
place, it is the lack of economic stability that keeps slum dwellers away
from the city and the dream of achieving economic success is a key
motivation for any slum dweller.
Economic regeneration is a vital part of any urban regeneration scheme
both in formal or informal settlement. Therefore it is important to
48
understand the economic dynamics of slums – its potentials and
constraints - the existing economic situation and how they affect the
arrival function of slums.
To understand the economic dynamic of slums these three major
themes which are prevalent in slums are examined - informal
employment, poverty/unemployment and lack of security of tenure.
2.3.1 INFORMAL ECONOMY/SELF EMPLOYMENT IN SLUMS
The informal sector creates many jobs needed by the growing work
force and compensates for much of the formal sectors failure to
provide goods and services (UN report, 2003)
The informal economy is a sector of the economy that is not taxed,
monitored by any form of government, or follows any legal
requirements (Wikipedia).
In most countries especially in developing countries a large percentage
of the working population earn their living from the informal sector.
They are usually small scale industries and commercial activities that $650million per year (Wikipedia) and in Nigeria where the informal
are not registered enterprises but provide large amount of products and sector accounts for between 40% and 45% of gross domestic product
services that people use every day. (BBC News – business, 2001).

Income generation rather than comfort is a priority in slums; majority

of the dwelling space is devoted to home based enterprises. In every left
over space people put up small kiosks for selling goods and services.
Informal employment is a norm in slums and they form the epicentre or
principal source of a cities informal labour force (UN Report 2003)

The informal economy is beneficial to both the rich and poor alike; it
has a significant role in employment and survival within slums -
without the opportunity of self employment most slum dwellers will be
destitute. The informal economy also has a significant role in
established cities because it supports the formal sector and makes up
Fig 2.12: Pottery in Dharavi, Main type of informal activity in the slum
majority of a city’s labour force.
Source: www.flickr.com
It also contributes significantly to national economy especially in
developing countries. A good example is Dharavi where the total
informal turnover is estimated to be between $500million and over

49
Informal economic activities in slums are located within or outside
slum areas but majority are carried out in the same spaces used for
living.
The informal economic activities within slums is dynamic and vibrant
and composes of various diverse activities such as street vending,
domestic work, recycling of solid waste, pottery industries, mini-bus
drivers, security guards, petty trading, garment industries and other self
employed jobs like hair dressing, shoe makers, furniture makers and
even includes illegal activities like drug dealing, and prostitution.
The informal economy of slums have many advantages and positive
aspects – it is an important instrument in the transition from poverty to
middle class (arrival function) and many people who successfully made
this transition did it because of the informal economic activities. Other
advantages of the informal sector of slums includes few entry barriers
in terms of skill requirements and initial capital, it allows the use of
local materials and a minimum of imported inputs, provides work and
support for those living within the same neighbourhoods, it strengthens
50
creativity and to an extents it promotes sustainability in terms of living
and working within the same space.
But it also has a number of negative aspects as well such as a
considerably less and unstable income, lack of access to basic
protection and services such as work benefits and legal rights and this
leads to exploitation of labour by employers. Informal businesses also
lack the potential for growth, trapping employees in menial jobs for a
long period of time.
INFORMAL ECONOMY/SELF EMPLOYMENT IN AJEGUNLE
The informal economy of Ajegunle is quite similar to most slums in the
developing world. It is vibrant and wide ranging and includes many
diverse activities.
Although there is little or no data available on the informal economic
sector of Ajegunle or an estimate of the annual informal turnover, a
visual survey of the slum clearly shows the importance and depth of the
informal activities of the residents.
From a visual survey of the slum one can clearly feel the sense of
urgency in the diverse and bustling economic activities. Everyone is
involved ranging from very young children hawking various
miscellaneous items on the busy streets to the very old people. The
common mantra among its many residents can literally be translated to
mean ‘time is money’ and this urgency pushes the residents to be
creative and industrious in the most unique and ingenious ways. The
residents have learnt to be smart and resourceful, nothing is wasted and
everything is seen as an opportunity.
Majority of the informal activities takes place in the same space used
for living. Spaces used for selling and other commercial activities in the
day are converted into living spaces at night. During the day the streets
are active and vibrant with small businesses facing onto the streets from
almost all the home, this is useful in creating vibrant streets, mixed
uses, and living and working in the same place promoting
sustainability.

Some of the popular informal economic activities include street

vending, petty trading, domestic work, public transport, and most
commonly recycling; Recycling forms one of the back-bones of the
informal sector of Ajegunle slum, everything and anything that can be
used again is sold for reprocessing. Refuse in Ajegunle is expertly
filtered by hand everyday for recycling keeping more than 5000 people
in regular employment (Welcome to Lagos - BBC Documentary, 2010)
Fig 2.14: Recycling in Ajegunle, popular informal activity in Ajegunle
Source: Welcome to Lagos, BBC documentary, 2010

51
 Fig 2.17: Street hawking in Ajegunle, Lagos
Source: Stephanie Giry, the Boston Globe, 2007

2.3.2 UNEMPLOYMENT, POVERTY & LACK OF SECURITY

OF TENURE IN SLUMS

Slums and poverty are closely related but these relationships are
Fig 2.15: Petty trading in Ajegunle
complex and not often direct (UN Report, 2003)
Source: David Simon, Royal Holloway University of London, 2010

Slum dwellers are not a homogenous population; People of varying

incomes live in slums. Not all people who live in slums are poor some
of the residents actually have thriving and reasonably successful
businesses but still choose to live there either for sentimental reasons or
because of its low cost of living or proximity to source of livelihood.

But in terms of poverty slum areas have the most visible concentration
Fig 2.16: Street hawking in Ajegunle another popular informal activity
of poor people; they are to a large extent the physical and spatial
Source: David Simon, Royal Holloway University of London, 2010
manifestation of urban poverty (UN-HABITAT report, 2008)

52
Despite the success and depth of the informal economic sector of slums
there is still a large population without employments and living in
abject poverty. This characteristic of poverty is manifested in the way
of life of the residents and it is this lack of funds that is responsible for
many slum problems like high crime rate, poor quality of living and the
failure to arrive.
Tenure security and the provision of services are two very important
problems associated with informal and illegal settlements. Tenure
involves different bundles of rights over land or structure. It also
involves access to services and facilities like water, electricity, and
waste disposal. Providers of these services are less willing to invest in
pipes and providing these services to slum areas because of their illegal
status and the likelihood of eviction.
Lack of housing security makes it very difficult for people in slums to
participate in society, to establish roots and their networks (UN report,
2003)
Insecure tenure is one of the hall marks of the informal sector and
gaining security can be the most important improvements for residents.
53
Without resolving issues in security of tenure, slum dwellers would
never be recognized as being urban citizens at all.
2.4 THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DYNAMICS OF SLUMS
The social and cultural contexts of slums like most of the other
characteristics of slums are very complex and diverse. There are no two
slums alike and every slum has its own different and unique culture and
social characters.
This diversity in social dynamics is the same for any type of settlement;
formal or informal but in slums it is even more prominent because of
the constantly evolving nature of slums. The social diversity of slum
areas is further reinforced by the broad range of people that live in
slums; people from different cultures and religions, people of different
age range and genders and people of different economic status - not
every one who live in slums are poor, there exist within slums an
economic stratification that also affects the social system of slums, a
hierarchical structure in which some people have more wealth than
others, which makes them act different from others putting them in a neighbourhood; an over–crowded and uncomfortable slum whose
different social class. residents felt the brunt of the government and were dissatisfied with the
Generally, certain factors shape and influences slum social dynamics. ruling party, and were willing to risk their life to be heard. (Wall Street
These factors include: Journal Blogs; Saunders, 2011)
• Cultural traits And fourthly slums helps in fostering and creating strong and resilient
• Historical context community networks; as people who have a lot in common, similar
• Local context backgrounds, threats, fears and dreams form a strong community
• Economy structure and are willing to defend each other and provide support in

• Politics terms of jobs. In most cases they elect a community leader to represent

Slums generally have a number of common social functions and social them.

problems.
The main social functions of slums include firstly the accommodation The main social problems associated with slums include; exclusion and

of low-cost labour – it allows low income and informal jobs to flourish. segregation from the city – this exclusion is both physically in terms of

Secondly, the absorption of migrants – it allows migrants, opportunities the spatial arrangement, location and access to public facilities and

to establish themselves and become full urban citizens. subconsciously in terms of people’s perception and attitude towards

Thirdly, the mobilization of political power – a good example is the slums.

case of Cairo and the January 25th 2011 uprising against Hosni Other social problems commonly associated with slums include health

Mubarak in Tahir Square, Egypt. The majority of the protesters were problems – due to the poor environmental conditions, density and

not just individuals but rather residents of the Bulaq al Dakrour poverty prevalent in slums. And high levels of crime which is a result

54
of the combination of various issues like poverty, unemployment, and
disenchantment.
Also, the social identity of some slums are based and built on their
economic context or main employment base a good example is Dharavi
slum in India where pottery is a part of the social dynamics of the slum.
Fig 2.18: Kumbharwada area in Dharavi famous for its pottery
Source: www.flickr.com
55
THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIMENSION OF AJEGUNLE
Ajegunle have attracted migrants from all over West Africa over a long
period of time making the population of Ajegunle more ethnically and
socially diverse than any other part of Lagos. The community is made
up of people with different cultures, languages, and religions and all
this have contributed in the evolution and character of the slum.
This ethnically diverse character of the slum is quite fundamental and
unique considering the many religious and ethnic riots and tensions in
many parts of Nigeria but here in Ajegunle people from different tribes
and backgrounds have learnt to co-exist and respect each others cultures
and beliefs. In many parts of the slum, Mosques and Churches are in
close proximity to each other without the usual religious feuds which is
common in many Nigerian cities.
Religion is also a big part of the social and cultural identity of the slum,
with many churches and mosques scattered all around the slum.
Furthermore, the slum is popular for many of its successful small scale
enterprises and industries especially the recycling industry, petty
trading and street hawking which have helped many people transition
into middle class.
Ajegunle is also becoming increasingly popular for the number of
successful footballers, musicians and artists that originated from the
slum. With limited access to education many youths turn to sports and
athletics and many youths have gone on to attain national and
international success. Also, many successful musicians in the country
came from Ajegunle and were inspired and motivated by the hardships
and sufferings which they often write and sing about. (NPR-Ofeibea
Quist Arcton, 2007)
Ajegunle is also known for its strong community ties and presence. The
residents often unite together to demonstrate against the government
and police, and the residents are often willing to help each other out.
56
Despite this many positive social aspects of Ajegunle, the slum is still
most popularly known for its high crime rate. There is limited police
and security presence within the slum and this often leads to increase in
crime rate, youth violence, drugs, gangs, and disturbances. The slum is
run by youth gangs locally known as ‘area boys’ who extort money
from people passing through the slum. This further discourages
integration with the city and increases social discrimination and
exclusion from city life. These gangs are made up of people who
initially came to the slum for the purpose of joining the city but failed
and have resorted to crime and violence.
2.5 SWOT ANALYSIS OF AJEGUNLE SLUM
As mentioned earlier no two slums are alike and as such every slum has
different strengths and weaknesses based on local and cultural traits.
This research has paid particular attention to the character of Ajegunle
slum as a testing platform and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats outlined in Table 2.2 below, were identified through the
analysis of the slum.
 SWOT ANALYSIS OF AJEGUNLE SLUM
Table 2.2: SWOT Analysis of Ajegunle slum
Source: Maryann Nwosu
57
2.6 CONCLUSION
Every problem has within itself the seeds of its own problem solution;
therefore, learning from slums is an important step forward in
resolving these unprecedented human and social issues (Chauhan,
1996).
In order to achieve the aim of the research – facilitating the arrival
function of slums – it was necessary to learn critical lessons from the
existing reality of slums and to determine what those factors were that
blocks the path to arrival. This chapter has been able to achieve that
through the analysis carried out and has been able to identify the
strengths, weakness, threats and areas of opportunities of Ajegunle
slum which is the area of focus of this research.
The next step towards achieving the aim of the research involves
reviewing urban design principles and combining the results with this
analysis.
Table 2.3 below gives a comprehensive summary of the examined slum
characters and how they affect the arrival function of slums.
SUMMARY OF THE CHARACTER OF SLUMS AND ITS IMPPACT ON THE ARRIVAL FUNCTION OF SLUMS

Table 2.3: Summary of the relationship of character of slums and its impact on its arrival function
Source: Maryann Nwosu

58
 CHAPTER 3:
URBAN DESIGN IN THE RENEWAL OF SLUMS
(A REVIEW OF URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES)

59
3.1 INTRODUCTION
A key aspect of this research is the application of urban design
principles and theories in improving the quality and conditions of
informal settlements but before this can be successfully achieved it is
necessary and important to first understand the meaning of urban
design, its relevance and role in formal settlements and why it is
applicable to slum renewal.
In recent times urban design has gained more prominence in academic,
public and professional settings and has received widespread
recognition of its values across public and private sectors around the
world, there is increasing demand for urban design as more people are
getting interested in the quality of the public realm.
Defining urban design is quite challenging because urban design is
relatively ambiguous; it is a term used differently by different groups in
different circumstances (Carmona & Tiesdell, 2007) but generally
60
urban design is the art of making better places for people (Carmona et
al, 2003).
Urban design is primarily concerned with the quality of the public
realm – both physical and socio-culturally – and the making and
managing of meaningful places for people to enjoy and use (Carmona
& Tiesdell, 2007). It involves the physical design and planning of the
built environment in relation to the natural physical landscape.
The relevance of urban design lies in its ability in creating places that
are successful socially, economically and physically. Urban design is
also key in creating responsive environments – that is environments that
provides its users with an essentially democratic setting that enriches
their opportunities by maximising the degree of choices available to
them (Bentley et al, 1985).
It is important to understand that urban design is a process and problem
solving activity where objectives and constraints are weighed in order
to achieve results. It is a very flexible and dynamic subject that can be
adapted to suite different needs and requirements. One of its most
unique aspects is that it is not only relevant in designing cities and
places from scratch but can also be applied to places that have already
evolved in form therefore it is important to apply the right urban design
principles to the relevant areas for it to be functional.
It is also important to mention that while urban design is a broad
subject that considers economic, cultural and environmental conditions,
it is not a single entity nor is it the only answer and it requires support
and dialogues with the residents, the developers, architects, planners,
local council and other parties concerned with the making of places.
3.2 URBAN DESIGN IN THE CONTEXT OF SLUMS
Having established that urban design is very relevant and important in
creating a responsive, functional and aesthetic urban environment
(formal settlements) this part of the research aims to prove that urban
design is also relevant, and applicable in slums (informal settlements)
even though they are obviously different from formal settlements. The
question is why are urban design principles suitable and applicable to
slum areas?
61
Firstly, because urban design is primarily concerned with the making of
better places for people – socially, economically and physically - and
slums despite all its poor and dysfunctional qualities are still places
with people in it.
Secondly because slums (informal settlements) are a part of the city
even though they are often isolated and excluded from city life and one
of the principles of good urban design is creating an environment where
everyone can access and benefit from the full range of opportunities
available to members of the society (PPS1).
Thirdly, because despite the diversities and complexities associated
with slums, they have some common needs with formal settlements that
can be addressed through urban design. These needs include - Identity,
Sense of belonging, security, strong communities, economic security,
and ease of movement.
Fourthly because of the adaptable and dynamic nature of urban design;
urban design recognizes that every place is different and that the
different cultural traits, historical contexts, economy, landscape, politics
and social dynamics dictate and influences the design of places.
Therefore urban design principles can be adapted to suite slums taking
into considerations all these factors.
Furthermore, urban design has proved to be an instrument in the
reduction of crime and anti-social behaviours which is very relevant to
the case of slums because slums are often associated with high levels of
crime.
3.3 DESIGN-LED URBAN REGENERATION
Since this research is concerned with making changes to certain aspects
of slums to facilitate arrival, it could also be viewed as a regeneration
project.
This part of the research focuses on the role of urban design in
regeneration schemes and how they can be applied in slums by taking
lessons from relevant case-studies. But first it is important to define
urban regeneration.
Urban regeneration is defined as a comprehensive and integrated
vision and action which leads to the resolution of urban problems and
which seeks to bring about a lasting improvement in the economic,
62
physical, social and environmental condition of an area that has been
subject to change (Roberts & Sykes, 2000).
The regeneration of a place (formal or informal) is a response to the
opportunities and challenges which are presented by environmental and
urban degradation in a particular place at a specific moment. It is
important to note that urban regeneration is not only applicable to
places that have deteriorated over a period of time as a result of change
but is also applicable to places that may have started out originally in a
degraded and poor form – which is the case of many slums.
Majority of past urban regeneration strategies were aimed at economic
and social regeneration but in recent times Design – led regeneration
has been increasingly promoted with varying degree of success all
across Europe. Design–led regeneration draws together the many
strands of urban design –environmental responsibility, social equity and
economic viability- and emphasis is placed on improvement and
renewal of existing structures as opposed to clearance and demolition
which has been the plight of many slums whose residents live in
constant fear of eviction and which only creates further problems as
mentioned in the previous chapters.

There have been few Design - led regeneration schemes carried out in
slum areas especially in developing countries and although regeneration
schemes are usually tailor-fit and site specific to the cultural and local
context of a particular place there are still general principles of good
practice that can be identified and applied from past regeneration
schemes carried out in formal settlements. These principles can be
Fig 3.1: London Docklands
adapted to suite the requirements of slum areas.
Source: GeoBytsesGCSE.com

Some of the urban regeneration case-studies reviewed for this research

From the literature reviews, key finding suggest that the main lessons
includes: the regeneration of London Docklands in the 1980’s, and the
that can be learnt from urban regeneration schemes in formal
regeneration of Salford Quays districts, Manchester.
settlements which can be applied in the case of slums and in this
research are:
• Appreciation of the entire site context
• Public participation
This would be combined with the urban design principles

63
3.3.1 APPRECIATION OF THE ENTIRE SITE CONTEXT
A thorough appreciation of the overall site context is the starting
point for designing a distinct place (urban design compendium).
This is crucial for the success of any regeneration scheme. It involves
understanding and considering the existing characters and settings of
the site in question in this case Ajegunle slum; Context here refers to
the character and setting of the area within which a projected scheme
will sit on.
It includes the forms of the settlements, buildings and spaces, its
location, the routes that pass through it and the general identity of the
settlement. They also include the people and individuals living in the
area.
This is important because it allows whatever changes and design
decisions proposed to be cohesive, inclusive and integrated with the
surrounding areas. This also strengthens local communities and
maximises the sites assets and resources. Appreciation of slum contexts
64
has been covered in chapter two and would further be used in the next
chapters.
3.3.2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only
because and only when they are created by everybody (Jacobs, 1961)
The user of a place holds more knowledge of how an existing area
works; the pressing local needs and the possibilities. Involving the local
residents in the design process would help draw attention to local
concerns and would ensure that any design decision made reinforces
rather than undermines the local residents thus preventing or reducing
any possible antagonism from local authorities to change. Involving the
public would also allow people to gain control of their environment.
Urban regeneration is very much local, it’s about the community and
the people living in it and without their support and insight the project
has a higher possibility of failure.
Also by involving the local residents in the design decision making,
people feel more responsible for the community and are likely to work
positively towards community growth.
Public participation is important to both the designer and the residents.
It is particularly crucial in slums because slums have strong community
networks and people are interested in the community.
3.4 REVIEW OF URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Having understood the dynamics of slums – the limitations, strengths
and opportunities - from chapter 2, this part of the research examines
relevant urban design principles based on these dynamics of slums.
There are various principles and aspects of urban design based on
different professionals, documents and books such as the design and
theory principles of the Princes’ Foundation for the Built Environment
(PFBE), the key aspects of urban design based on the Urban Design
Compendium, Responsive Environment design principles and the PPS1
principles of good design. These different urban design principles are
65
all similar, sharing similar directions and objectives but have different
emphasis.
This research draws on these different urban design principles and
theories which are relevant to the study. Principles used includes
• Permeability
• Variety
• Personalisation
• Safety
• Sense of place identity
While all these principles are important, not all of them are applicable
in this case (slums). Therefore the principles which are further
examined are those that would have direct or indirect impacts on the
arrival function of slums. It is also important to note that these urban
design principles do not work independently and that they have impacts
on each other and can also have impacts on more than one slum
character.
3.4.1 PERMEABILITY
The quality of permeability in urban design refers to the extent to which
an environment allows people a choice of access and alternative routes
through it (Bentley et l 1985). It is an urban design quality that offers
choice of movement and it is a fundamental criterion for achieving a
responsive environment.
Permeability allows ease of movement and accessibility of places, it is
also an important asset in the integration of places with the existing
urban form and the natural and built environment – this is essential to
slums. It has to do with connections, access, movement, surveillance,
integration, and transportation.
Basically, permeability addresses the connections between people and
places by considering the needs of people to access jobs and key
services.
Although permeability is a physical quality it has vast impacts on the
economic and social conditions of a place.
66
Permeable networks allow services into places like fire services, waste
disposal services, and water supply.
There are two areas of permeability that are of interest in this research:
the physical permeability and visual permeability.
Visual permeability is important because if these alternative routes and
different choice of access are not visible then people can not take
advantage of them. Visual permeability increases people’s awareness of
the choices available.
Physical permeability is also very important because they are the
physical connections and points of access to places and they play a
crucial role in the distinction between public and private spaces.
Without this distinction everywhere would be accessible to everybody
and there would be no privacy.
A clear distinction between public and private spaces can be further
achieved through perimeter block development with the backs of
buildings facing onto the private space and the fronts of buildings
facing onto the public space. This further contributes in the richness and
character of the public space and also increases surveillance and safety.
Although the use of perimeter blocks is not possible in some cases, the
principle behind it can be applied, that is permeability, distinction
between public and private spaces, surveillance and safety.
The quality of permeability is also dependent on the spatial division and
arrangement of places and by the size of blocks - smaller blocks
increase physical and visual permeability.
While considering permeability it is important to take note of the
existing surrounding areas and the existing links.
3.4.2 VARIETY
The quality of variety refers to the mixed uses and diversity of activities
in a place. This quality of urban design is closely linked to permeability
as accessible places are only valuable if they offer quality choices.
67
According to the urban design compendium a more vibrant and
sustainable form results from blurring the distinction between uses.
There are different levels and measures of variety; variety in terms of
building types and forms, variety in terms of the mix of people who are
attracted to a place for varied reasons and variety in terms of the
different meanings and interpretations attached to places as a result of
the different activities, forms and people (Bentley et al, 1985).
A successful and sustainable neighbourhood is a product of the
distances people have to travel to access daily facilities and the
presence of a sufficient range of such facilities to support local needs
and spaces where a variety of activities can take place (Urban design
compendium).
There are various benefits attached to variety and mixed use
developments, they include;
• More convenient access to facilities
• Promotes social interaction
 • Minimises travel to work congestion
• Encourages and engenders socially diverse communities
• Increases support of local and small businesses
• Increase urban vitality and street life
• It allows more efficient use of space and buildings.
The quality of variety as an urban design principle is one that can be
closely related to slums because slums are popularly known for their
diverse and multi-functional spaces. This is further explained in chapter
4.
For the purpose of this research, variety is examined as a tool for
promoting social interaction.
3.4.3 PLACE IDENTITY
The concept of identity is one that arises in our every day life. There is
a general need to group things, people, places and even nations together
based on their similarities or differences.
68
Place identity has to do with the influence of the physical environment
on identity and also on how our experience and perception of places
could be influenced by the identity assigned to the place.
Every place has unique qualities that separate it from other places,
qualities that give it personality, individuality and character; in these
distinctive qualities lies the identity of the place.
Kevin Lynch (1960) defined the identity of a place as that which
provides its individuality or distinction from other places and serves as
a basis for its recognition as a separable entity.
This quality of place identity is very crucial because it affects people’s
response and attitude to places – positive or negative.
Place identity is neither static nor unchangeable but changes according
to circumstances and attitudes.
According to Ian Nairn (1965) identity lies in the experience, eye, mind
and intention of the beholder as much as in the physical appearance of
the city or landscape.
It is a relative concept with different meanings to different people; we
often assign individual identities on places consciously or
unconsciously based on different factors like the natural landscape and
topography, historical context of a place, sensory experience, physical
form and appearance, economic functions or social activities of a place.
In the context of this research place identity comprises of:
• Enriching the existing
• Public participation
• Activities and functions
This research focuses on the group identity of a place based on
common/shared characteristics and it examines how this shared identity
can foster sense of community and sense of belonging. And also how
negative identities of slums lead to social exclusion and isolation.
The research also explores how reinforcing the concept of place identity
in slums would boost social interactions, increase support of local
businesses and encourage people to take personal responsibility and
pride in their communities.
3.4.4 PERSONALISATION
Personalisation involves the freedom and ability of the users of a space
to personalise and put their mark on their environment and homes in a
most effective way. Personalisation is encouraged because it promotes
peoples interest and involvement in their living space and this makes
people take positive responsibility of their homes. It occurs at both
private and public levels.
There are two main reasons why people personalise the image of a
place: as an affirmation of their own tastes and values - affirmative
personalisation - and because they perceive that the existing image is
inappropriate - remedial personalisation (Bentley et al, 1985)
Generally, there are three factors that limit personalisation in formal
settlements: tenure, building type and technology. But in slums,
although these factors also limit personalisation, there are other
pressing factors like lack of funds, lack of space, lack of security of
tenure and illegal status which strongly limits personalisation.

69
Applying and encouraging the quality of personalisation in slums
would encourage people to take personal responsibility of their living
space and invest in their homes thus improve the environmental
conditions of their homes and surroundings. But to achieve this, it is
first necessary to tackle those factors mentioned earlier that limits
personalisation in slums.
3.4.5 SAFETY
Safety and security is of paramount importance in the design of any
place. All the previously mentioned qualities would be irrelevant if a
place is not safe to live in. We feel confident and secure using areas
where there is good visibility and effective lightning, where we feel we
can be seen and heard by other people (Urban Design Compendium).
Safety is especially important in slums where crime is a common
phenomenon and its reputation as breeding grounds of crime
contributes to its social isolation and issues.
70
Jane Jacobs (1961) in her book the Death and Life of Great American
Cities describes three ways of increasing safety or a perceived sense of
safety in a place:
• A clear demarcation between public and private space – this
can be achieved through the spatial design of a place with
fronts facing front.
• There must be eyes upon the streets belonging to those called
the natural proprietors of the street to insure safety of both
residents and stranger – increased surveillance which can also
be achieved through the spatial layout with active fronts and
use of street lightning and neutral public spaces.
• Presence of people on the street – vibrant and active streets.
Also safety can be increased by reinforcing community involvement –
when people view a space as theirs they tend to take responsibility for it
and defend it. Involving the community will foster sense of ownership,
belonging and mutual protection.
3.5 COMBINING URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND THE
DYNAMICS OF SLUMS

Having analysed the different dimensions and dynamic of slums in

chapter 2 and reviewed relevant urban design principles in this chapter,
this part of the research assigns the urban design principles to address
the identified slum issues and to enhance areas of opportunities and
strengths. The urban design principles like the character of slums are
interrelated and do not act dependently but can address more than one
issue.
The combination of these two aspects of the research - urban design
principles and the character of slums - forms the first stage of the
analytical framework. The second stage involves assigning relevant
urban design principles and theories to each of the perceived characters
that blocks the path to arrival.

Fig 3.1: Analytical framework

Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011

71
3.6 CONCLUSION ASSIGNING URBAN PRINCIPLES TO SLUM CHARACTERS

In this chapter the relevant urban design principles necessary to achieve

the research aim were identified and then they were applied to the
analysis of the character of slums in order to generate the second
analytical framework of the research.

As mentioned previously in chapter 2, addressing a specific character or

dimension of slums can indirectly affect another slum character. Thus
resulting in the direct and indirect impact relationship used in Table 3.1

*Table 3.1 shows that not all the urban design principles have direct
impacts on all the slum characters. The perceived/expected impacts of
these urban design principles on these slum characters and on the
arrival function of slums are outlined in Table 3.2 below

Table 3.1: Analytical framework

Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011

72
 CHAPTER 4:
TESTING THE PRINCIPLES ON AJEGUNLE SLUM

73
4.1 INTRODUCTION would only make the slum too valuable and expensive for the original
residents which would dislodge them from their homes and foil the

Having developed the analytical framework based on the analysis of original function of the slum.

slum characters in chapter 2 and the review of urban design principles

in chapter 3, this chapter is concerned with testing the feasibility of the RESPECTING THE HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

analytical framework which has been developed in chapter 3 above and

to check that the assigned urban design principles would actually
facilitate the arrival function of slums.
This would be achieved through an enquiry by design approach where
each of the proposed urban design solution is tested directly on
Ajegunle slum to determine the spatial and socio economic implications
of this changes and recommendations. The urban design principles and
theories which are used are adapted to suite the local context of
Ajegunle slum.

In this chapter it is important to note that there is a hierarchy of needs

and a hierarchy of problem solving in slums.
Without this hierarchy and order of solving and addressing problems Fig 4.1: Hierarchy of needs in Ajegunle slum
there is the risk of injecting efforts, money and time into areas that Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011

74
Informal settlements (slums) obviously have different priorities from
formal settlements, for instance; housing, security and connections are
much more important and higher in terms of priority than electricity,
green spaces and privacy in slums. The goal therefore is to achieve a
balance between solving the problems and maintaining the arrival
function of the slum and to avoid implementing changes that would
dislodge the residents or disrupt their arrival process.
At the end of the chapter a testing framework which clearly outlines
the spatial and socio-economic implications in relation to the arrival
function of slums would be developed.
4.2 APPRECIATING THE ENTIRE SITE CONTEXT OF
AJEGUNLE SLUM
Before any of the urban design principles outlined in the analytical
framework is tested on Ajegunle slum, it is important to start from a
wider perspective and to apply the first step in any urban regeneration
75
scheme which is appreciating the entire site context and its surrounding
areas.
As mentioned in chapter 3 above, understanding and considering
existing characters and settings is crucial to the success of any urban
regeneration scheme. It involves solving problems from a wider
perspective and examining the site in question in relation to its
surrounding areas and characters.
This urban design approach to urban renewal is applied and tested in
the context of Ajegunle slum to address issues of connectivity and
flooding which is a problem that is not only specific to the slum but to
other parts of the city as well.
Also the issues of connectivity and flooding are addressed firstly
because of its high levels of priority in the table of hierarchy of
problems that blocks arrival in Ajegunle slum.
4.2.1 CONNECTIVITY
The issue of inaccessibility and limited connectivity is one of the
fundamental causes of the failure of Ajegunle slum which does not only
restrict physical access to jobs, schools, facilities, resources and
opportunities available in the city, but also by proxy leads to other
social, political and economic problems. From the analysis carried out
in chapter 2 it was established that Ajegunle slum is isolated from the
city and has limited access to the main city centres. Addressing this
problem of limited connectivity would not only make the city and all it
offers more accessible to the slum dwellers but would also make the
slum accessible to people or organizations who are interested in
developing and improving the area and attract more businesses into the
area.
From chapter 2 it was established that that the city of Lagos is divided
into the main-land and islands due to its geographic location and that
these two main parts of the city are connected by three bridges (Carter
bridge, Third main-land bridge and Eko Bridge) which at the moment is
76
not only insufficient for the entire city but also completely isolated and
inaccessible to Ajegunle residents which means that transportation and
access to the island which contain majority of the city’s economic and
social activities is very limited.
• Research proposal
Having understood the entire site context of Ajegunle in terms of
connectivity and in relation to its surrounding areas, the research
proposes that firstly, a new connection or bridge between Apapa district
(which lies just next to Ajegunle slum) and the islands is necessary to
facilitate ease of movement and to allow the residents of Ajegunle have
access to the opportunities and resources available in the urban areas of
the city. This is shown in Fig 4.2 below.
 Introducing this new bridge would not only be beneficial to Ajegunle
residents, but would also be beneficial to the entire city as it would
considerable lessen traffic congestion on the existing over-used three
bridges.

Secondly, in terms of improving connectivity with the surrounding

areas the research recommends a connection or bridge between
Ajegunle and Apapa as shown in Fig 4.2 above. This is necessary
because presently the slum is separated from Apapa by a river and
transportation across the river is only though local canoes which are not
very sufficient.

Introducing these new connections – between Apapa and the Islands

and between Ajegunle and Apapa would extensively integrate the slum
with other parts of the city and increase accessibility to jobs, health
services, schools and other public services, it would also attract jobs
Fig 4.2: Map of Ajegunle showing proposed connections between Apapa and and businesses into the slum; basically facilitating arrival
the Islands.
(Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)

77
4.2.2 FLOOD MITIGATION IN AJEGUNLE
Also in terms of appreciating the entire site context and characters of
the surrounding area, this part of the research examines how the
environmental character of flooding of the entire city affects the arrival
function of Ajegunle slum.
From the analysis of the environmental condition of Ajegunle slum in
chapter 2 above, it was established that the geographic location of the
city close to the Atlantic coast makes the entire city vulnerable to
flooding, but Ajegunle is particularly vulnerable to this environmental
threat because of its location on a flood plain on the southern part of the
city.
With limited funds and sub-standard quality of housing, the effect of
flooding in Ajegunle is usually catastrophic and it puts the lives and
businesses of the local residents in jeopardy. Flooding amongst other
factors is at the core of the failure of Ajegunle slum. Aside from the
obvious effects of flooding such as risk of loss of life and properties
and the traumatic effects, the constant threat of flooding further
78
discourages residents from buying their homes or investing in the
quality of their homes or environment.
• Research proposal
Since flooding to the area is unavoidable due to its location, and
relocating the slum residents would only create more problems, this
research recommends that positive actions should be taken towards
flood mitigation in the area by the government and the local authorities
as it would go a long way in the improvement of the general
environmental condition of the slum, it would reduce risk to local
businesses, encourage people to invest in their homes and
fundamentally facilitate and increase the arrival function of the slum.
Although this might seem expensive, its positive impact on the arrival
functions of slums cannot be overlooked.
Flood mitigation involves managing the effects of flooding. There are
many methods of flood mitigation adopted in different parts of the
world ranging from redirecting flood run-off, introduction of canals,
protection of individual properties, introducing levees and
embankments, straightening channels to increase speed of flow, land
use zoning and widening and deepening of channels to allow it hold
more water thereby reducing the occurrence of flooding.
A possible and cheaper method that can be adopted by the government
to reduce flooding in the area is the widening of the many rivers around
the slum which would allow it hold more water thus reducing flooding.
4.3 APPLYING URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES IN AJEGUNLE
Having started from a wider perspective the next step involves zooming
into the more local characters of the slums and applying the urban
design principles outlined in the Analytical framework in chapter 3
above.
4.3.1 PERMEABILITY
Permeability as described in chapter 3 is an urban design quality that
has to do with the number and choices of alternative routes through an
environment.
79
From the analytical framework in chapter 3, permeability is linked to
the physical, economic and social characters of slums.
• Research proposal
To increase permeability within Ajegunle slum, the primary, secondary
and tertiary roads are considered. For this research this roads have been
generally grouped based on their functions, size and capacities into
primary, secondary and tertiary roads.
As stated in Chapter 2, a visual survey of Ajegunle slum indicates that
majority of the public transport and buses runs through the secondary
roads, this is mainly because the primary and secondary roads are the
only roads within the slums that are paved or levelled but presently as
can be seen in Fig 4.2 above, the number of secondary roads within the
slum is limited and the available secondary roads are not even
permeable. This highly affects availability of buses.

Fig 4.3: Example of a Tertiary road in Ajegunle – unpaved and unlevelled
Source: Source: Lagos metropolitan development and governance project,
2011
Fig 4.4: Example of a Secondary road in Ajegunle (Kirikiri road, Ajegunle)
Source: Google Earth
The unpaved and unlevelled nature of the tertiary roads discourages
buses which limits buses to the few paved secondary and primary roads
‘Affordable and regular bus services into slum neighbourhoods is
often the key difference between a thriving enclave and a destitute
ghetto’ (Saunders, 2010: pg310)
80
Increasing the permeability of the secondary and tertiary roads would
not only increase choice of travel routes, ease of movement and access
to the primary roads but would also increase the number of buses and
public transportation available within the slums (which is very
important and a top priority in the table of hierarchy of needs)- This
would considerably reduce the distance residents have to travel to get to
buses thus increasing accessibility - And also improving permeability
would at some level improve the chaotic spatial structure. (Compare
Fig 4.3 and Fig 4.4)
Therefore permeability of the secondary and tertiary roads in Ajegunle
slum can be achieved by converting some tertiary roads (smaller roads)
into secondary roads by increasing its capacity, making the roads
defined, tarred, paved and levelled thereby allowing buses access to the
tertiary roads and also by connecting the roads such that they are not
dead-ends. It is important that any new roads or changes made would
not dislodge residents.
Fig 4.3 shows the existing spatial structure of Oduduwa area in
Ajegunle slum.
Fig 4.5: Map of Oduduwa area in Ajegunle showing the unstructured and not
permeable road network Fig 4.6: Map of Oduduwa area in Ajegunle showing the proposed road
(Source: Google Map networks.

As can be seen in Fig 4.3, the road networks are not permeable but Source: Maryann Nwosu

terminate randomly creating unnecessary dead ends.

81
4.3.2 SAFETY
Safety is an essential urban design principle that has a direct or indirect
impact on almost every aspect of the characters of slums as outlined in
the analytical framework in chapter 3 and it is also a quality that can be
linked to all the other urban design qualities.
Applying the principle of safety would make a substantial difference to
both to both security and property value.
• Research proposal
Therefore, safety or the perceived sense of safety can be increased and
applied in Ajegunle by:
• Increasing permeability which would allow the presence of
more people on the streets, thus increasing surveillance.
• Safety can also be increased in Ajegunle through the use of
street lightning; due to space deficit in Ajegunle slum, the
streets are extremely narrow and do not allow natural sun light
to filter in making the streets dark alleys that are breeding
grounds for crime and extremely dangerous to walk especially
82
at night time. Introducing street lights is an effective and
cheaper method of discouraging crime and increasing security
and surveillance.
• Involving the public is also instrumental in increasing safety of
the streets and discouraging crime amongst people. It would
increase a sense of ownership and people taking responsibility
of their environments. Involving the public can be carried out
through workshops, interviews, support from government and
use of local labour.
• In general increasing the arrival functions of Ajegunle slum and
addressing problems like unemployment, poverty, social
discrimination and inaccessibility would highly reduce the
frustrations and disenchantments of the residents who turn to
crime as a result of all these problems.
4.3.3 VARIETY
Variety is an urban design quality that involves mixed uses and
diversity of activities. It increases safety and the vitality and vibrancy of
places and also reduces the need to travel long distances thereby
increasing walk-able neighbourhoods.
It is a quality which to an extent is already existent in slums; as
mentioned in the previous chapters slums are dynamic and diverse
entities, made of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, diverse
economic status and diverse social and commercial activities.
The goal is to maximise and utilise the diverse and mixed use character
of slums.
From the analytical framework, variety has been linked to
inaccessibility, informal economy, and high crime rates.
• Research proposal
Variety can be applied in Ajegunle slum through the following means:
• Home ownership – Encouraging home ownership would allow
the residents set up diverse functions and uses of their home
especially in terms of informal economic activities. This would
not only allow local enterprises to flourish but would also
increase variety and vitality of the slum.
83
• Support from local authorities and house owners – In the
absence of home homeownership, allowing residents the
freedom and ability to open up businesses and shops in front of
their homes and adding rooms to their dwellings would
increase the variety of activities in the slums while also giving
the residents a source of income. This support from the local
government can be in the form of loans, financial aids, or
developing a system where residents can pay for their homes
over a period of time with reduced interest rates.
• Increasing permeability - This would allow access to the
variety of activities, because without access these diverse
functions would be useless. Increasing permeability in
Ajegunle slum has been dealt with earlier in the chapter.
4.3.4 PLACE IDENTITY
Place identity as described in chapter 3 has to do with those characters
and features that separate a place from others; that which gives it
individuality and distinction.
• Research proposal
In terms of building and fostering identity of Ajegunle slum, the
research recommends:
Enriching the existing – This involves maximising existing strengths,
characters and opportunities of Ajegunle slums and also making use of
existing resources.
• This quality is applied by extending, renewing and making use
of existing roads and routes as opposed to creating completely
new ones.
• Also in terms of enriching the existing the research
recommends that any changes that would require dislodging the
residents or result in the demolition of homes and businesses
should be avoided.
84
Use of Local Labour and Resources – Making use of local labour and
resources in the application of these recommendations would showcase
and improve the skills of the residents, allow social interaction of
residents, earn them money, and also foster a sense of belonging and
ownership and a sense of responsibility for the environment, these are
all essential in creating strong communities.
Public Participation – As mentioned in chapter 3, public participation
and support from local residents is very important in any renewal
scheme to avoid possible antagonism from the residents and also
because the residents have more knowledge of the place and the
existing problems.
Therefore the research recommends involving local residents in the
decision making process to enable them feel empowered and in control
which further encourages responsibility and ownership of their
environment.
4.3.5 PERSONALISATION
Personalisation involves the freedom and ability of the users of a space
to personalise and put their mark on their environment and homes in a
most effective way.
• Research proposal
Housing and land in slums is a constant dilemma. This is due to lack of
funds to own properties and the illegal status of slums. In slums,
personalisation is highly limited by these issues of lack of home
ownership and the illegal status of the slums. Therefore, encouraging
personalisation would involve addressing issues of home ownership and
land.
Converting illegal self built housing into legal and sustainable housing
is quite expensive but the key is to find ways of using the increase in
land value to support the project and in the long run it would have
considerable positive impacts on the physical, social, and economic
status of the slum.
4.4 THE SPATIAL AND SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS
OF THESE RECOMMNEDATIONS
This part of the research gives a comprehensive summary of the
implications – spatial and socio economic – in Ajegunle.

Homeownership in Ajegunle can be encouraged by giving the residents

the opportunity to buy rights to their homes and lands at affordable
prices and to have the option to resell it or rent it out after improvement
at higher values. To do this, support from the government and banking
institutions in terms of loans and low interest rates are necessary.

85
 (Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011)

4.6 CONCLUSION

This chapter draws to an end the research methodology and it ties

together the different strands of the research – analysis of Ajegunle and
the application of the urban design principles – in order to determine
the possible positive spatial and socio-economic implications of
applying these recommendations in Ajegunle.

Although the application of these recommendations in Ajegunle might

seem expensive, it is a gradual process and changes could be carried out
in an incremental fashion starting out with the higher priorities as stated
in the hierarchy of needs. Also, the expected positive outcomes in terms
Table 4.1: The spatial and socio economic implications of the
of facilitating arrival and the increase in land value as a result of these
recommendations
changes would in the long run make the project worth it

86
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION

87
5.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter draws to an end the research process and presents a
conclusion of the research based on the aims and objectives set at the
beginning. The goal is to determine the overall success in achieving the
research aims and to reflect on the key findings, significant features,
methodology, limitations and possible future research work.
5.2 SUCCESS IN ACHIEVING RESEARCH AIM
To determine the success in answering the research question and
achieving the research aim it is first necessary to review the research
aims, objectives and methodology.
As described in chapter 1, rural – urban migration is inevitable,
therefore increase in slum population is also inevitable.
This dissertation has examined and analysed the relevance of slums and
how living conditions can be improved by applying urban design
principles and focusing on their important but often overlooked
function - arrival.
88
To achieve this, four objectives were set up, this objectives were key in
the development of the research methodology which is particularly
crucial in this research.
The first stage to achieving the research aim involved learning from the
existing reality of slums through evaluation and analysis of the
physical, economic and social dynamics of slums to determine their
potentials and constraints with particular focus on Ajegunle slum. This
analysis formed the first part of the methodology.
The second stage involved reviewing those urban design principles that
could address the constraints identified in the first stage or maximise
the potentials discovered.
The third stage involved applying the urban design principles on
Ajegunle slum (the test site) to determine the implications and the
impact of the implications on the arrival function of the slum.
At the end of this stage of the research it was established that the
application of these urban design principles would indeed have a
positive impact on the arrival functions of Ajegunle slum.
 5.3 IMPACT OF THE SPATIAL & SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS ON THE ARRIVAL FUNCTION OF SLUM

Table 5.1: Impact of the spatial and socio-economic implications on the arrival function of Ajegunle slum
Source: Maryann Nwosu, 2011

89
5.3 SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH
There are a number of key findings of the research which are important
to note and mention:
The first significant and important finding of the research is that there
are no two slums alike; slums are highly diverse entities that are shaped
and influenced by the cultural and local traits. Therefore the results,
analysis and implications of this research is specifically tailor fit to
facilitate the arrival function of Ajegunle slum and cannot be applied to
fit a different slum. But the generic aspect of the research lies in its
methodology. So for the renewal of any other slum, it is imperative that
a detailed analysis of the slum is carried out to determine the hierarchy
of needs and how the local contexts and characters affect arrival.
The second significant findings of the research which is important to
note is that although some of the recommendations presented to
facilitate arrival may seem benign and small, the goal is to make
changes that would trigger and have bigger and obvious impacts. As
90
Nabeel Hamdi (2004) in his book Small Change rightly puts it ‘in order
to do something big, to think globally and act globally, one starts with
something small and one start where it counts’. Therefore it is not the
size but the impact of the change that matters.
The third finding of the research which is important to mention is that
the goal is not to renew slums such that they become too expensive for
the people it was originally meant for (new arrivals). Making slums too
valuable and better serviced would attract middle class people from the
city and while this to an extent would be beneficial in terms of social
mixing, and attracting businesses it would in the long run make the
slums less accessible to future migrants, and too expensive for the local
residents thus obscuring the original purpose of the slum.
Therefore, it is important to maintain a balance which can only be
achieved by carefully analysing and examining the slum in question and
understanding what the pressing needs are and tackling the problems
based on their order of priority.
And finally it is important to mention that these changes cannot be
carried out at once. It is a gradual process which can be done in an
incremental fashion tackling problems based on there levels of priority.
5.4 LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE STUDY
During the course of this research limitations were faced in terms of
time and availability of resources, data and statistics on Ajegunle slum,
and the inability to interview local residents of the slum to gauge their
reactions and thoughts towards the recommendations.
Also, the research was to an extent limited by the inability to physically
apply and test the research recommendations directly on Ajegunle slum
to determine actual responses and impacts of the recommendations. The
outcome of the research is to an extent a prediction since it is
impossible to test these theories on the slum. That not withstanding,
people’s response and behaviour to change and regeneration are to an
extent predictable and can be gauged based on past cases.
91
Nigerian cities including Lagos can generally be seen as gated
communities, with the rich completely segregated and isolated from the
poor. Convincing developers or the government to allow integration of
the rich and the poor which this research clearly recommends as one of
the means to facilitate arrival might be challenging.
But to an extent, the political, social, physical and economic problems
prevalent in Lagos and in Nigeria as a whole can be traced to this
segregation and lack of interaction between the rich and the poor.
It would be interesting and a step forward for this research to explore
further how unlocking this rift between the rich and the poor would
extensively improve these social, political, and economic problems of
the country.
The next step also for this research would be to apply this changes to
Ajegunle slum, and to communicate with the local residents to get their
reactions to the changes.
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WEBSITES
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governance project) accessed on 30th June 2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk (Welcome to Lagos Documentary 2010) accessed
on 25th June 2011
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APPENDIX:
APPENDIX

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Data on world slum population

’
1. Total urban estimated slum population by major region, 2001

96
2. Slum population by region 2001

97
3. Proportion of slum dwellers in urban population by region, 2001

98
4. Statistics on World Security of Tenure (Source: UN Report 2003)

99
5. Housing Tenure Statistics, 1998 (Source: UN Report, 2003)

100
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