Design implications: impact of socio-physical setting on public housing transformation in Nigeria

Abstract

Scholars claim physical surroundings as concrete manifest of space organisation. Its arrangement delineates spatial relationship of social activities’ network within housing units. Yet, housing challenges in Nigerian cities portray minimal sensitivity to socio-physical attributes impacting public housing adjustments. Focusing on users’ adjustments experience and emphasising on socio-physical environmental impact, public housing dwellers were examined to ascertain the socio-physical impact on housing adjustments initiatives. A survey with 276 households conducted in ten public housings in northern states of Nigeria, evaluated users’ experience on socio-physical model of housing adjustment. Features of Building attributes; Neighbourhood influence; Technology; Plot size and Quality of urban living standards were explored using questionnaire forms and analysed by SEM. The result shows significant influence of socio-physical constituents on homeowners housing adjustment decisions. This implies the need to review design policies and developers culture responsive design innovative initiatives harmonising the emic and etic paradigms based on user desires.