Spatial Preference of Urban Residential Location in Osogbo, Osun State

ABSTRACT

This study examined the spatial preference of urban residential location in Osogbo. It identified the types and qualities of residential housing units in Osogbo; described the spatial pattern of residential neighbourhood in Osogbo; and examined the factors influencing the choice of residential location in Osogbo.

            The data obtained for this work were derived from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained through field observation and with the use of well-structured questionnaires in the study area, 412 questionnaires were administered to cut across three blocks (strata) tagged A, B, and C. While Block ‘A’ represents the old core of the settlements where the oldest buildings are found, Blocks ‘B’ and ‘C’ are the latter developed parts and the outskirts, respectively. In view of the observed inequalities in the number and density of buildings in the study area and for easy identification of sample points, each of the blocks was further divided into ten quadrants of equal sizes based on the current Township maps prepared by Planning Division of Osogbo or, and, Olorunda Local Government Areas. The secondary data includes maps and other relevant journals. Lastly, the different models of urban land use were used to explain the pattern and growth in the study area. The data generated were analysed using statistical packages for social sciences, charts and tables.

            Results showed that the study area was characterised by bungalow (38.5%), storey buildings (29.8%), multi-flat (18.8%), traditional compound (8.0%) and Duplex (4.9%). In addition, the results indicated that most of the residential buildings in the study area were built of high quality and modern materials as 73.5% of the houses were constructed with cement blocks; 52.8% used tiles, marble or terrazzo as flooring materials; 73.6% used asbestos for ceiling; and 63.9% used iron sheets for roofing. Moreover, the study found that house ownership (t-values = 8.106), cost of land (t-values = 6.525) and nearness to service centres (t-values = 6.382) were the most important factors influencing choice of residential location in Osogbo. Average income of the respondents, house type and level of education were found to be less significant among the thirteen variables considered. Principal Component Analysis confirmed further that all the thirteen factors were important residential location variables in Osogbo but house ownership (eigenvalue = 11.55) and nearness to place of work (eigenvalue = 1.45) are the first two principal components.

            The study concluded that the concentric zone model as identified by Burgess in 1925 exist in Osogbo and this account for the variation in the choice of residential location in the city

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                                            i

Certification                                                                                                                        ii

Dedication                                                                                                                           iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                                              iv

Table of Contents                                                                                                               v

List of Tables                                                                                                                     viii

List of Figures                                                                                                                    ix

List of Appendices                                                                                                             x

Abstract                                                                                                                              xi

 

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1       Background to the Study                                                                                       1

1.2       Statement of Research Problem                                                                             3

1.3       Aim and Objectives of the Study                                                                          4

1.4       Justification of the study                                                                                        5

1.5       The Study Area                                                                                                      6

            1.5.1    The People and Population Characteristics                                                8

      1.5.2    Historical Background of Osogbo                                                              9

      1.5.3    Climate, Vegetation and Soil                                                                      10

      1.5.4    Socio-Economic Activities in Osogbo                                                        10

 

Chapter Two: Theoretical Framework and Literature Review

2.1       Theoretical framework                                                                                        13

       2.1.1    The Nature of Housing Output                                                                       13

       2.1.2    The Concept of Social Distance                                                                      14

       2.1.3    Urban Ecological Models                                                                                16

 

2.1.3.1      Concentric Zone Theory                                                                 16

2.1.3.2      Sector Theory                                                                                  18

2.1.3.3      Multi Nuclei Theory                                                                       20

2.1.3.4      Residential Location Theory                                                           22

 

2.2       Literature Review                                                                                                 26            2.2.1    The Urban Area                                                                                          26

            2.2.2    Residential Housing                                                                                    28

            2.2.3    Factors Influencing Residential Housing Location Decision                     30

            2.2.4    Patterns of Residential Neighbourhood                                                      35

 

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.1       Sources and Collection of Data                                                                              38

            3.1.1    Primary Data                                                                                               38

                        3.1.1.1   Sample Frame                                                                               39

                        3.1.1.2   Sample Size                                                                                  39

                        3.1.1.3   Sampling Procedure                                                                      39

            3.1.2    Secondary Data                                                                                           40

3.2.    Data Analysis                                                                                                            41

            3.2.1    Land Cover Classification Scheme                                                             41

 

Chapter Four: Results and Discussion

4.1       Socio-Economic Characteristics of Respondents                                                   43

4.2       Residential Housing Units in Osogbo                                                                     47

            4.2.1    Types of Residential Housing in Osogbo                                                   47

            4.2.2    Qualities and Characteristics of Residential Housing in Osogbo               48

                                    4.2.2.1 Qualities of Residential Housing in Osogbo                      48

                                    4.2.2.2 Characteristics of Residential Housing in Osogbo             51

            4.2.3    Occupancy Nature of Residential Housing in Osogbo                               54

4.3       Factors Influencing the Choice of Residential Housing Units in Osogbo              58

4.4       Spatial Pattern of Residential Houses in Osogbo                                                   65

 

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1       Summary                                                                                                                 69

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                              71

5.3       Recommendation                                                                                                    72

                       

References                                                                                                                          73

 

Appendix                                                                                                                            79.