Assessment of the Characteristics of Slum in the Core of Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the characteristics of slum in the core of Akure, Nigeria, with a view to suggesting means of correcting the abnormalities caused by the slum environment. A sample size of 350 households amounting to 5% of the household population was randomly selected across eight selected neighbourhoods in the study area for questionnaire administration. Personal interview was conducted with the residents while field observation was made on the condition of the environment. Google Earth imagery was digitized to ascertain the number of buildings in the environment. Secondary data were collected from relevant journals, articles and textbooks. Data collected using the questionnaire was coded into the IBM Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23, where it was analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentage. The results of the analysis were presented in Tables. Findings revealed that majority of the houses in the study area were informal. Majority of the buildings were old and dilapidated. Residents of the study area mostly use poorly maintained shared pit latrine as means of convenience. Residents engage in dumping wastes in open spaces and drains. Majority of the buildings in the study area were in an extreme poor condition. The study therefore proposed urban renewal exercise to take place in the slum environment; constant sanitation routine checks, legislation by the State House of Assembly to guide urban sanitation and public enlightenment of the residents to be aware of the need to ensure a safe and clean environment.