Housing

In a series of discussion papers, partners of the Heinrich Böll Foundation give thought-provoking suggestions to the Lagos State government for an inclusive and climate-resilient city building, which are based on the findings from our research “Urban Planning Processes in Lagos”.

Kelechi Udegbe, a budding Nigerian actor in the city of Lagos, features in this 6 part documentary drama series where he weighs his option of finding a suitable accommodation within his budget, thereby sparking a debate about new ways of accessing affordable accommodation and about the equitability of housing policies of Lagos State.

The approach of the Makoko Neighborhood Hotspot intends to demonstrate that low-tech, flexible, low-cost and strategic yet precise interventions can increase the share of urban consumers and taxpayers which again increases the city’s overall welfare – opposite to the often implemented top-down, investment intensive and heavily donor or elite-driven big-infrastructure solutions as they have mostly failed in (West-) Africa.

Many Nigerians cannot afford to buy their own homes. Real estate properties are expensive and there is lack of robust mortgage available to Nigerians. With an increasing population and an expanding housing deficit of over 17 million units, award winning architect Chinwe Ohajuruka still believes that affordable green houses have the ability to curtail the housing deficit and place many Nigerians on the pathway of owning their homes. Chinwe has completed the construction of an Eco Village in Port Harcourt which could become a blueprint for affordable housing, low-carbon architecture and job creation. Watch Video

Alfa Beach used to be a popular weekend destination for Lagosians, until the ocean washed it away. It destroyed not just a beach, but also the local community’s livelihood and houses. The danger has not subsided: the sea is moving into the land at an alarming pace. How can the people of Okun Alfa cope, and will they be able to organise themselves?