Assessment of Street Trading Activities in Public Spaces (Ikorodu Motor Garage), Ikorodu, Lagos

Abstract

The present study examined socio-economic characteristics of commuters patronizing street traders, assessed factors responsible for patronizing street trader, investigated the perceived environmental hazard and assessed perceived spatial implications of street trading in Ikorodu motor park, Lagos State, Nigeria. The experimental survey research design was employed to first determine the average daily carrying capacity of the motor park (15,830 persons per day), while the sample size was 100, based on the Taro Yemane sample size formula. The 100 sets of questionnaires were used as the data collection instrument and it was administered to the patronizers of street traders. The purposive non-probability sampling technique was used. Data analysis adopted both descriptive (tables, Likert Scale) and Inferential (Factor analysis). The study established a preponderance of males over females and the majority of respondents had attained secondary education and were single (unmarried). Affordability, availability and location were revealed by the 5-point Likert scale output as factors most responsible for street trading patronage. Results of factor analysis for factors responsible for patronage of street revealed a K.M.O. value of 0.735, at Bartlett’s test significance level of 0.000. The communality of values revealed attractiveness (47.1%) as the least and availability (77.7%) as the highest. There was a cumulative total of 64.74% with a variance of 5.35% and 8.51 “at” and “after” extraction. It was also revealed that noise pollution, air pollution, and violence were the major perceived environmental hazards, while congestion, waste disposal, and obstruction of drainage systems were the perceived spatial implication of street trading activities in Ikorodu garage. The study concluded that street trading is properly included in the formal urban setting to enhance effectiveness, functionality and aesthetics.