article · Journal of Urban Management
In Lagos, urban transformation policies aim to create an African model megacity and global economic hub intended to alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable development. However, an examination of these policies through the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework shows a major disconnection between municipal ambitions and the realities of the urban poor. State government actions contradict sustainable development and poverty alleviation goals, resulting in increased hardship, reduced livelihood opportunities, and outright loss of livelihoods for vulnerable populations. Using mixed methods including household surveys, interviews, direct observation, and policy document analysis, the research evaluates the policies, institutions, and processes driving urban change. The findings demonstrate that current urban development projects actively undermine informal communities, highlighting the need for an inclusive policy framework that protects livelihood opportunities and asset accumulation for the urban poor.
Rapid megacity development often prioritises modern infrastructure and global economic status at the expense of vulnerable communities. Understanding how urban planning policies directly affect the livelihoods of informal settlement dwellers is essential for creating equitable cities, preventing displacement, and ensuring economic progress does not come at the cost of deepening urban poverty.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Similar to many other cities in sub-Saharan African countries, the struggle between urban development policies and the livelihoods of the urban poor is one of the urban development challenges facing Lagos. This paper examines the realities of the Lagos urban development policies and intiatives on the livelihoods of the urban poor. The state government embarked on series of what it calls sustainable urban transformation policies towards making Lagos 'an African model megacity' and a global economic and financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive, with a view to achieving poverty alleviation and sustainable development. This paper, through the lens of theoretical and analytical underpinnings of Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, however, argues that the actions of the state government contradict the whole essence of sustainable urban development and poverty alleviation, but reflect an agenda deliberately targeted to further impoverish the poor. While the Sustainable Livelihood was used as the theoretical and analytical framework, this paper essentially focuses on the Policies, Institutions and Processes component of the framework. This provides a unique entry point for understanding the implications of the Lagos urban development aspirations on the livelihoods of the urban poor. The research uses mixed methods research design with a broad range of data-collection methods, including household surveys, interviews, direct observation and photography, documentary review and policy document analysis. The study reveals that there is a disconnection between urban development policies and realities of the poor. The implementation of urban development projects and policies works against the urban poor and resulted in more hardship, through reduction in livelihood opportunities or complete loss of livelihoods. This study, therefore, suggests that one important element in reducing poverty in Lagos' informal settlements is a policy framework that guarantees inclusive urban development, provision of livelihoods opportunities and accumulation of assets for the urban poor.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jum.2018.03.001
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
