Author: L. Sanni and M.A. Gbadebo
Volume: 53 Issue No:1 Year:2011
Abstract: This study examined the perceived challenges to the adoption of urban renewal as a strategy for improving housing quality in indigenous African cities, using Akure, Nigeria as a case study. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Relevant secondary data were obtained from previous publications and research. Primary data were obtained through pre-tested questionnaire randomly administered to 236 households selected from 7,850 buildings in Akure. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data collected. The results showed that 65.5 per cent of the respondents accepted urban renewal as a strategy for improving housing quality in the study area. With regard to the preferred urban renewal strategy, more than two-thirds (68.1%) preferred upgrading, 20.4 per cent favoured rehabilitation, and 11.5 per cent favoured total clearance. The respondents identified eight main challenges to the strategy of upgrading housing in Akure with economic stress, psychological trauma and security as the top three challenges.