Predictors of future travel intentions to Lagos megacity: Exploring the crime-risk perceptions

The issue of crime risk associated with travel has been receiving increased attention, yet this has scarcely been studied in African contexts. Besides, how travel intention is influenced by the interactions of perceived crime risk and socio-economic characteristics has scarcely been investigated. This study examines whether perceived crime-risk factors and socio-economic characteristics help to explain future travel intentions to megacities using Lagos, Nigeria as a case study. Self-administered questionnaires were used to gather information from a sample of travellers who arrived in Lagos in 2019. Frequency counts, percentages, mean and Ordinary Least Squares Regression (OLS) were used to analyse and interpret the data. The findings show that respondents were not certain about their safety in Lagos. Likewise, they were uncertain about their future travel to the city. Though partially mediated by travellers’ socio-economic characteristics, the findings show that perceived crime risk significantly predicts future travel intentions. Implications of these findings to travel and security management are discussed

Perceptions on corruption and compliance in the administration of town planning laws: The experience from Lagos Metropolitan Area, Nigeria

This article examines corruption in town planning practices and how this affects the reputation of local planning authority and residents’ compliance with planning laws. This was examined using a sample of 362 participants from a systematic sampling survey conducted in Lagos metropolitan area, Nigeria. Findings show that the conduct of planning officers significantly influences residents’ compliance with planning laws. Results also reveal that the use of procedural justice (fairness) in dealing with the public is extremely significant in building local town planning authority’s reputation (legitimacy). The survey found that, if town planning officers act corruptly (in discharging their duties), the public will be disrespectful of planning laws and town planning authority. The structural equation model results show that certain socio-economic characteristics of residents significantly predict compliance with planning laws, independent of planning officials’ corrupt behaviour. Specifically, compared to less educated residents, the more educated residents respect planning laws and view local planning authority as more legitimate. The article concludes that people are more satisfied with local planning authority or are more likely to voluntarily defer to planning laws when they view planning institutions as legitimate. A key component of this legitimacy is the use of procedural justice with the residents. The article suggests, inter alia, that local town planning authority and its officials need to become a democratically accountable institution, serving the public in a procedurally fair manner and without graft and bribery. Anti-corruption measures should be built into all planning systems as part of their structure. This article will contribute to urban and regional planning reform in Nigeria, with specific consideration for local planning authority, planning officials’ accountability, and improvement of the relationship between town planning authority and the public.&nbsp

Perceived constraints to public participation in contemporary Nigerian land-use planning

Public participation (PP) has become a major feature of land-use planning, sanctioned by national and international laws as a platform for state, civil societies and citizens’ engagement. However, there is a dearth of information regarding ethnic minorities and marginalised groups about their interests and limitations in participatory planning. This article examines the level of citizens’ involvement and the constraints to participation in land-use planning. It analyses whether these constraints hinder some society groups more than their counterparts. These were examined using sampled participants in Nigeria. To test for the conceptual variance, factor analysis was used, while the likelihood of being hindered as against respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics was examined, using logistics regression. Findings show a low level of PP and yield a four-factor solution explaining 66.42% of the variance in PP. More hindrances to PP were perceived by ethnic minorities, the aged, females, tenants and rural dwellers compared to their counterparts. This gap between these community groups in PP was due to individual, community, and institutional factors. The article concludes that the structure of the Nigerian society still favours specific socio-demographic groups, even though the democratic transition and the subsequent constitutional amendments give all residents equal rights to political participation. There is the need for public policies, community and private investment to remove these constraints and make the PP programme truly public and attractive to all. The government and town-planning agencies may use the results in this article to help enhance their understanding of the hindrances to PP

Victim Travel–To-Crime Areas: The Experience from Nigerian International Tourist Attraction Site

The study examined the socio-economic characteristics and types of criminal activities experienced by tourists during festive and non-festive period at Ikogusi Warm and Cold Spring, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected through administration of questionnaire. Systematic sampling method was adopted in selecting respondents for this study. It was revealed that 24% of the tourists were female and 59.3% were between 19-36 years. Furthermore, approximately 89% of the tourists were from places within Nigeria while the remaining 12% came from places outside Nigeria. Rate of criminal activities was measured through an index of 5 and tagged “Crime Occurrence Index” reveled pick pocketing as crime type with highest magnitude of threat (COI= 4.86 and 4.35) during festive and non-festive period respectively. Origin of tourist (β=0.781) was found to have highest correlation value with prevailing crime. Next to this was gender of the tourists (β=0.781). This further revealed that the odd of a woman being a victim of prevalent crime was approximately 4(3.61) times higher than that of a man while the odds of non-Nigerian being a victim of the prevalent crime was approximately 5(5.41) times higher than those who were Nigerians. Similarly, that of Nigerian who came from outside the locality was approximately 2(2.35) times that of those who resides within this locality. The study concluded therefore that rate of victimization differ significantly as reflected by the socio-economic characteristics of the tourists and that the approach to make tourists feel more secured should be guided by those variation

Exploring Spatial Pattern of Residential Property Value around Cultural Heritage Sites in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Cities in both developed and developing economies are characterised by various cultural heritage sites. Such sites can impact the value of residential properties around them either positively or negatively. In view of this, this study explores the spatial pattern of residential property values around cultural heritage sites in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. One (1) cultural heritage site each was purposively selected in the core and sub-urban areas of Ile-Ife. Furthermore, systematic sampling technique was used to select one of every twenty (20) buildings within different radii (1-300, 301-600 and 601-900 meters) of the selected cultural heritage sites. A total of two hundred and twenty-three (223) buildings were selected. Hence, 223 questionnaires were administered on the residents of the buildings. Interview was also conducted on ten (10) real estate practitioners in the study area to optimally provide answers rental values of residential properties around the cultural heritage sites. The extracted data were analysed using multiple regression and rent differential technique. Findings showed that as distance increases from the cultural heritage sites, the average rental value of residential properties was also on the increase in the core and sub-urban areas of Ile-Ife. It was therefore established that there exists a positive relationship between the distance from cultural heritage sites and rental values of residential properties. The study further revealed that cultural heritage sites had a negative impact on the rental values of proximate residential properties in the study area. The study however concluded that the rental values of residential properties reflect distance to cultural heritage sites. It is recommended that property investors should give adequate attention to location to make accurate and dependable decisions on the supply of residential properties, especially in cities where there are cultural heritage sites

Exploring Spatial Pattern of Residential Property Value around Cultural Heritage Sites in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Cities in both developed and developing economies are characterised by various cultural heritage sites. Such sites can impact the value of residential properties around them either positively or negatively. In view of this, this study explores the spatial pattern of residential property values around cultural heritage sites in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. One (1) cultural heritage site each was purposively selected in the core and sub-urban areas of Ile-Ife. Furthermore, systematic sampling technique was used to select one of every twenty (20) buildings within different radii (1-300, 301-600 and 601-900 meters) of the selected cultural heritage sites. A total of two hundred and twenty-three (223) buildings were selected. Hence, 223 questionnaires were administered on the residents of the buildings. Interview was also conducted on ten (10) real estate practitioners in the study area to optimally provide answers rental values of residential properties around the cultural heritage sites. The extracted data were analysed using multiple regression and rent differential technique. Findings showed that as distance increases from the cultural heritage sites, the average rental value of residential properties was also on the increase in the core and sub-urban areas of Ile-Ife. It was therefore established that there exists a positive relationship between the distance from cultural heritage sites and rental values of residential properties. The study further revealed that cultural heritage sites had a negative impact on the rental values of proximate residential properties in the study area. The study however concluded that the rental values of residential properties reflect distance to cultural heritage sites. It is recommended that property investors should give adequate attention to location to make accurate and dependable decisions on the supply of residential properties, especially in cities where there are cultural heritage sites

Safety and Security Assessment of Tourist Destinations: A Field Study in A Nigerian Geopark

In the travel industry, safety and security are imperative and any attraction sites which ignore these tasks stand to lose out on the intense competition for tourists. One way to ensure that safety and security are satisfactorily provided is to regularly assess and seek the perceptions of stakeholders. Studies that make such an attempt, particularly in a Nigerian Geopark are relatively underrepresented in the literature. This study therefore evaluates safety and security situations at a large geopark and one of the most visited tourist destinations in Nigeria. Through direct observation, an on-site assessment of safety and security measures was undertaken by experts. The assessment instrument was designed using an empirical adaptation of standards which have been suggested in the literature. In addition, members of the site management were interviewed on various outcomes of the field study. Generally, the safety and security architecture in the study area appeared to be insufficient as the management seemed restrained to be too proactive for fear of scaring wildlife and visitors. Besides, the management did not consider the site to be under any serious threat as no major accident and/or crime has been recorded in the last decade. The study concludes that safety and security approaches in the study area do not reflect standard measures but rather cautious approach and an overly dependence on a supposed good past record. The result of this study can facilitate standard practice for safety and security in tourist destinations. This study fills the knowledge gap by providing information on the Nigerian experience regarding safety and security of Geopark in the Global South

Perceived constraints to public participation in contemporary Nigerian land-use planning

Public participation (PP) has become a major feature of land-use planning, sanctioned by national and international laws as a platform for state, civil societies and citizens’ engagement. However, there is a dearth of information regarding ethnic minorities and marginalised groups about their interests and limitations in participatory planning. This article examines the level of citizens’ involvement and the constraints to participation in land-use planning. It analyses whether these constraints hinder some society groups more than their counterparts. These were examined using sampled participants in Nigeria. To test for the conceptual variance, factor analysis was used, while the likelihood of being hindered as against respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics was examined, using logistics regression. Findings show a low level of PP and yield a four-factor solution explaining 66.42% of the variance in PP. More hindrances to PP were perceived by ethnic minorities, the aged, females, tenants and rural dwellers compared to their counterparts. This gap between these community groups in PP was due to individual, community, and institutional factors. The article concludes that the structure of the Nigerian society still favours specific socio-demographic groups, even though the democratic transition and the subsequent constitutional amendments give all residents equal rights to political participation. There is the need for public policies, community and private investment to remove these constraints and make the PP programme truly public and attractive to all. The government and town-planning agencies may use the results in this article to help enhance their understanding of the hindrances to PP

Evaluating Public Participation in a Project Plan Review: A Nigerian Case Study

Background:  Rooted in national and international laws regarding project planning and implementation is public participation. However, it is unclear whether public projects are enabling sufficient public input or are likely to be able to meet future management planning needs; particularly in developing countries. Purpose: We assessed people’s experiences when contributing to a public project decision-making in order to understand the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threat to effective public participation.  Setting: We conducted this assessment with a sample of people who contributed to a public project planning and review in a Nigerian city. Intervention: Not applicable. Research design: Appraisal criteria are based on the principles of public participation as laid down in the law and consists of the following elements: respondents’ profile, their involvement in the project; purpose of participation, availability of information, feedback mechanism and overall view of the participatory planning process. Information collected consists both quantitative and qualitative data and these were analysed using descriptive statistics and narrative techniques of reporting. Findings: Findings show that public participation was far below the minimum requirement of the law and not demographically representative. The most important reason respondents participated was to protect an interest in land, although some saw participation as a democratic right. Results show that attending public hearings was the commonest way of participation in a project review. Nevertheless, three-quarters of the respondents thought the final plan did not take their observations and advice into consideration. Respondents confirmed that the process was reasonably notified with opportunities for consultation meetings. Nevertheless, findings suggest some bias actions as significant proportions of respondents held absence of transparency and political interference flawed the project planning and review process. Keywords: stakeholder engagement; project evaluation; transparency; universal design; equalit

Evaluating Public Participation in a Project Plan Review: A Nigerian Case Study

Background:  Rooted in national and international laws regarding project planning and implementation is public participation. However, it is unclear whether public projects are enabling sufficient public input or are likely to be able to meet future management planning needs; particularly in developing countries. Purpose: We assessed people’s experiences when contributing to a public project decision-making in order to understand the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threat to effective public participation.  Setting: We conducted this assessment with a sample of people who contributed to a public project planning and review in a Nigerian city. Intervention: Not applicable. Research design: Appraisal criteria are based on the principles of public participation as laid down in the law and consists of the following elements: respondents’ profile, their involvement in the project; purpose of participation, availability of information, feedback mechanism and overall view of the participatory planning process. Information collected consists both quantitative and qualitative data and these were analysed using descriptive statistics and narrative techniques of reporting. Findings: Findings show that public participation was far below the minimum requirement of the law and not demographically representative. The most important reason respondents participated was to protect an interest in land, although some saw participation as a democratic right. Results show that attending public hearings was the commonest way of participation in a project review. Nevertheless, three-quarters of the respondents thought the final plan did not take their observations and advice into consideration. Respondents confirmed that the process was reasonably notified with opportunities for consultation meetings. Nevertheless, findings suggest some bias actions as significant proportions of respondents held absence of transparency and political interference flawed the project planning and review process. Keywords: stakeholder engagement; project evaluation; transparency; universal design; equalit