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Effects Of Urban Renewal On Women's Role
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Africa
has the highest levels of urbanization but the least urbanized when
compared with other regions of the world. In 2009, almost 40% of African
population lived in urban areas (UN¬HABITAT, 2010). By 2050, the
Africa's urban population is estimated to triple to over one billion
(UN-HABITAT, 2010). In most countries, a high rate of urbanization
combined with consistent economic decline over the last two decades has
resulted in a rapid increase in the number of urban poor. In sub-Saharan
African countries, it is estimated that more than 40% of urban
residents are living in poverty (Aluko and Amidu, 2006). These factors
contribute to the increasing informal developments in African cities;
Nigeria inclusive.
Currently, about 43% of Nigerians live in urban
centres. Modem urbanization in Nigeria has been dominated by the growth
of a single primate city, the political and commercial hub of the
nation, Lagos. Rural - urban migration from other parts of the country
into Lagos has been the major determinant for this high rate of urban
population growth resulting in proliferation of slums and squatter
settlements, high rate of unemployment, etc. It is estimated that
between 20 and 80% of urban growth 'in developing countries is informal,
usually inhabited by the low income people (Aluko and Amidu, 2006).
In
view of the above background, this study examines the effects of urban
renewal on women's role in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos
State. In recent times, Lagos state government in south- western Nigeria
embarked on urban renewal development programme with the aim of making
the state one of the mega cities in the world. The process of urban
renewal witnessed the demolition of market stalls, illegal spaces, and
structures all around the city. Some group of people selling on the
streets, sidewalk had been forcefully evicted from their selling points.
Women were mostly affected by the recent demolitions and destructions
of market spaces in the city. The study views that those affected are
likely to be vulnerable to many challenges as they are confronted with
this new development.
Lagos Road construction project - sponsored
by the world Bank in conjunction with the Lagos State Government
housing projects on the Island, (Lekki and Victoria Island etc.) and
vacant lots as the outcome of incomplete projects. Urban renewal's
effect on actual revitalization is a subject of intense debate. It has
been seen by proponents as an economic engine and a reform mechanism and
by opponents as a regressive mechanism for enriching the wealthy at the
expense of tax payers and the poor. It carries a higher cost to
existing communities and in many cases resulted in the destruction of
vibrant neighborhoods (UN, 2008).
Urban renewal in its original form
has been called a failure by many urban planners and civic leaders and
has since been reformulated with a focus on redevelopment of existing
communities. However, many cities link ~e revitalization of the central
business district and gentrification of residential neighborhoods to
earlier urban renewal programs. Over time urban renewal evolved into a
policy based less on destruction wore on renovation and investment and
today is an integral part of many local governments, often combined with
small and big business incentives. But even in this adapted form, urban
renewal projects are widely accused of abuse and corruption. Lagos
State (PDP) People Democratic Party members petitioned the (EFCC)
Economic and Financial Crime Commission to probe the Lagos State
Government under the leadership of (SAN) Babatunde Raji Fashola for the
numerous ongoing construction projects in Lagos State on the grounds of
corruption. ( Guardian Newspapers (March 10,2010).
Urban renewal can
be traced conceptually back to the earliest days of urban development
and often stems from a paternalistic style of governance, albeit one
which often uses utilitarian rhetoric. Its potential value as a process
was noted by those who witnessed the inhumane and overcrowded conditions
of 19th century London, New York, Paris and other major cities of the
developed world affected by the industrial revolution. From this a slum
reform agenda grew by which advocates and reformers, using a doctrine of
environmental determinism, argued that reforming a degraded environment
would reform its residents. Such reform could be argued on religious,
national security, compassionate, economic and many other grounds.
(Guardian Newspapers March 10, 2010).
Meanwhile, the pertinent
question now is how has urban renewal affected women roles in Lagos
State? Starting from Ajaegbu (2006), the role of a woman in the society,
nation and in the family may be explained in different categories
depending on the status and circumstances. In the family for example,
the natural role of a woman does not only end in the kitchen fetching
daily meals for the husband and children but includes procreation -
which cannot be avoided either consciously or unconsciously. However in
recent time due to proliferation in the practice and acceptance of
civilization in our society, the distributions of responsibilities in
the family are now shared between married couples. The roles of the man
in recent time have been taken over by the woman. The emergences of
economic depression and inflationary exigencies have compelled an
inevitable change negatively on family role of women, (Nigerian Daily
Times, Thursday 21, 2010).
In any society therefore, where these
changes have occurred, there is always an attendant effect on the
society and its people, This study therefor, investigates the impact of
this kind of change ¬urban renewal on the family role of women in Amuwo
Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State. Nonetheless, the
observation of the outgoing reconstruction and construction exercises in
Lagos State is a programme; of development which is intended to benefit
the residents of Lagos State under a well structure and planned road
network, housing, electrification project, pipe borne ¬water,
transportation and many more This however requires an investigation as
to how these developmental exercise impact on the family especially on
the role of a woman.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This project work is aimed at finding out the extent to which the family role of women isaffected by the newest innovation - urban renewal in our contemporary society today especially in Lagos State - as one of the fastest growing cities in the world Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area was chosen because of its metropolitan nature of the area. Based on the information obtained through personal interview and questionnaire the conclusiondrawn is that, the urban life is saturated by availability of ... Continue reading---
