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HOUSING PROBLEM IN UNIVERSITY TOWN: A CASE STUDY OF EKPOMA


CHAPTER TWO
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1      CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
In order to understand the housing problems in Ekpoma, it is pertinent to look at some models and theories critically, which explains the background to the housing, problems experienced in the study area.


GROWTH BY FISSION
        Growth by fission as describe by Mabogunje (1969) is a process whereby large traditional compound settles breakdowns resulting in smaller plot of land upon which new modern structured. Thus, the “growth by fission” process increases the density per housing unit and consequently raises population density in the community.

        The Growth by Fission theory or process is said to have occurred here Ekpoma, which is the study area. This is evident in settlement such as Ujemen, Ujoelen, and Ihumudumu where houses constructed ages ago in the primitive form with materials such as bamboo, thatched roof, mud, mat, plant etc. have been reconstructed into modern structures with materials such as cement bricks, asbestos, corrugated sheet, glass etc. the implication of this is that, a large number of the total populace are mostly university student flux into such areas to seek for these modern houses with it accompany infrastructures.

        The crux of this theory is that it has increased the population densities of these communities as compared to where the houses where in the primitive state.

THE IDEX OF DISSIMILARITY THEORY
        Duncan (1955) postulated the index of residential segregation of major occupation. This theory has two measures and it is mathematically expressed thus.
     ∑ (X1) – (Y1) x 100
   1.1 (∑ X1) (∑Y1)
           2
Where:
                X1 Represents one occupation
                Y1 Represents another occupation

        This formula measures the percentage of an occupational group x which have to move to make it distribution similar with another group y. the computation of these variable between one occupational group and all others combined to give the second and all others combined to give the second measure on index of segregation.

        This model are useful as regards this study. With this model differences in income level could be distinguished and a classification of high-income and low income residential areas can be attempted. This model also explains social segregation that could be shown in form of physical or locational differences.

        In the study areas Ekpoma, this income and social segregation could be found between students and staff of the university as well as the indigenes and villagers of the town.

THE CONCENTRIC ZONE MODEL
        The concentric zone model is one of urban land use models adopted by scholars to describe the internal structure of contemporary cities. This theory was postulated by a sociologist, called Burgess (1925) in his effect to show the exact pattern of physical growth in Chicago. The model suggests that the city as a complex entity often exhibits concentric pattern of growth of six notable zones, each with a distinct structure of development.

        The theory suggest that towns expand outward under the influence of centripetal forces from the inner zone which is the origin of growth and indeed the centre of commercial, social and civil life, in this area, the location of the main market, departmental stores, office complex, banks, theatre halls, the palace, museums and other elements of historic importance.

        Next to the zone are light-manufacturing activities and a cluster of wholesale apartments that complement the commercial functions of the inner core.

        The third area is inhabited by workers of industries who escape from the area of deterioration but desire to live within easy access of their work. Beyond this one is the residential area of high-class apartment building or exclusive “Restricted-Districts” of single-family dwellings.

        The commuter’s zone is the outskirt of the residential area, often earmarked for the construction of by-pass and outer-ring roads for inter-city and inter-state connections.

        Applying the concentric ring model to the land use of Ekpoma, Eguare and Emaudo could be regarded as the core or the central business District (C.B.D) of the town. While places like the Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Staff quarter, Ukpenu area, from the committee zone.

THE MASS MODEL OF RESIDENTIAL LOCATION
        Using the gravity model, the bases model incorporates other models with the aim of getting close to reality in terms of housing market behaviour.

        The demand and supply for housing is disaggregated into 6 (six) sub-markets.

1.     Single-Family high value
2.     Single-Family mid value
3.     Single- Family low value
4.     Multiple-Family high value
5.     Multiple-Family mid value
6.     Multiple-Family low value

        Each of the sub-markets has a separate run, based on demand by an exogenously projected population described as new houses hood. Another set of demand came from those displaced by a demolition model.

        The supply and demand for housing is matched through an employment accessibility model.

        In using demolition model to explain bass model of residential location, it asserts the rate that housing demolition will be higher in the future where the density of population is higher, multiple housing are numerous and land process stimulates hour some dwelling units shifts of filter down to lower income group as their value depreciate over time.

        Implicitly, it indicates home residential income increases the likelihood of demand for higher value housing also increases.

        The town planning authorities ministry of land and surveys can furnish the existing stock, in complete stock and the type in complete stock and the type of house from their records and registered plans. This constitutes the supply that is split into various house types for each sub areas and density region. Each of the classification can further be split into the three value. Classes based on the type of house, density of the area, the environment and site variables.

2.2      LITERATURE REVIEW
The issue of housing and its related problems are generally worldwide and it has attracted a great deal of attention in national planning and international discussion of development. Yet there appears to be no consensus on the meaning of the term housing as the term is frequently assumed to only a structure intended to provide shelter. Shelter on its own part has been defined as something that gives safety or protection in the form of a hut or building, which is erected to keep of mind and rain. Contrary to this general assertion on housing or shelter the U.N interregional seminal on the social aspect of housing in 1975 states that “housing encompasses all the auxiliary services and community facilities which are necessary to human well being”.

Barley (1963) outlined two ways of looking at the development of the houses. The first is “to see it has it has the expression of man’s technical aesthetical ability to accomplish a materials ends”. The second is to see it as the solution to social problems and analyze the setting in which it is carried on and the connections which governed it.

Rotimi (1975) saw the dynamic aspect of housing on overall development as a determining factor in the society according to him, if a large segments or the population of any country is inadequately housed, that country will face a little decline in health and productivity.

Dike (1975) expressed his opinion about housing problems as being very acute both in quantity and quality. He advised experts in the building industries to devise ways and means of augmenting the efforts made by government in making huge sums of money available, by effectively utilizing funds to ensure that the generality of our citizens can be comfortably housed. As a results, he drew the use of indigenous, raw materials.

Balecla (1975) investigated the housing requirement of the middle-income families in Saudi Arabia in term of design for unavailability. He worked on the assumption that a major cause of appropriateness of housing all over the world, derives from the architects lack of family requirements and cultural norms of the people, and that human satisfaction dwelling is highly correlated with merit ability resulting from physical design features which affect the spatial behaviour that support cultural norms. He discovered that physical design factors that support cultural norms are extremely important one in terms of their influences on user satisfaction with the built environment.

Mabogunje (1978) defined housing as the total environment within which the individual human beings have to live. This total environment includes both in dwelling units and its environment especially the facilities and services provided on a community basis.

According to Lemar (1981), housing is a complex product providing a combination of services that are crucial to development in both welfare and economic terms. He further opined that the pre-occupation of housing in shelter offered by dwelling space.

While the dwelling structure provides a variety of environmental facilities such as water supply, solid waste disposal, energy use e.t.c. He therefore concluded by saying that there is a spatial link between the house and the relevant economic activities such as access to jobs, health and educational and recreational facilities.


According to the World Health organization (W.H.O) in general, to promote good health, a good house should have at least the following

1.     A good root to keep out of rain
2.     Screens of wire netting at the windows and doors to keep out insects, especially mosquitoes.
3.     Sunshades all around to protect the walls from direct sunlight in hot weather
4.     Good walls and doors to protect against bad weather and keep out animals.

The World health Organization (W.H.O) also sees a standard housing as one, which ha such facilities as:

1.     National lighting
2.     Drainage and impeccable condition
3.     Adequate water supply
4.     Proper ventilation

Sada (1977), also used the following spatial structural criteria in defining a good and decent house.

1.     The quality of the building and housing
2.     The extent of planning and control of the city development
3.     The standard of public health services in terms of environmental qualities.

Sada further classified urban residential pattern into four zones.
1.     The old residential zone
2.     The modern residential area
3.     The government residential area
4.     The unplanned fringes of residential areas.

In Sada conclusion, the opined that the government residential areas (GRA) and the modern private layouts and the developed area in the country. These areas are characterized by well-structured layouts and low density of housing, high percentage of such areas in Ekpoma, are A.A.U Staff Quarters (Senior and Junior Quarters) the council staff quarters, and the newly opened peripherals of the town.

        While the unplanned and old areas as the name implies are characterized by haphazardly layout structures, high population density, high occupancy ratio slums e.t.c. Area that best fit into such description in the study area include Eguare, Emaudo, Ihumudumu, and Ujemen etc.

        Ebong (1981) studies the major variables in housing qualities and the varying degrees of satisfaction in different types of Calabar residential housing satisfaction cover both environment surroundings and physical characteristics both of which promote health, convenience and well being of the occupants of the house.

        According to Ojo (1985), the scarcity of well located land, the high cost of servicing lands, the durability of housing in urban market for relatively inelastic housing supply, while increase in urban population, family formation and income level lead to large shift in demand which often out-strips the supply response. The reason account for the high occupancy ratio in Nigeria urban areas.

        Segynola (1987) in his definition emphasizes on the facilities on like provision of pipe borne water, electricity, toilets, bathrooms, refuse disposal e.t.c.

        He referred to these facilities as the “soul” of the house, housing without these facilities is analogous to a ware-house meant for goods and it is not fit for human habitation.  

According to Oyiborhoro (1989). The issue of residential location and the problem of making choice have not been given serious attention by policy makers in spite of the enormous publications by scholars and professional. He ended by saying that serious attention has also not been given the various locational factors of residential areas.

Pritchard (1976) opined that the way and frequency with which people situate their house as obviously a process deeply rooted in the spatial organization of urban areas. But specifically, spatial factors cannot explain its character alone. Pritchard further opined that such conditions are proximity or directions are significant parameters in the equation of residential location.

However, these conditions are meaningful when considered in the contest of residential choice that is necessarily in total social economic and political condition of a city. Also, those conditions are complex and an attempt to study these problem makes the spatial organization of the city loom and larger, Pritchard also has the view that very few people have complete freedom to choose where they live. Individual residential location decisions are not taken in a vacuum. Very few families have great hand in supervising the construction of the houses that they are to occupy. The overwhelming majority select from that limited range of suitable properties available at the time that best meet their particular means and needs.

According to Moser and Scott (1961) every town or city specializes in certain social economic function that are reflected in the make up of their land. Use patterns but all must denote a large proportion of their total area to housing.

In Carter’s (1972) submission, he placed emphasis on choice and argued that locational choice of individual families are the underlying factor of residential environment. He further again opined that the qualities of areas, the townscape and opportunities it offers affect the consumer behaviour on residential choice. Also the level of income cannot be ignored as it plays a major role in choosing residential location.

Tumer (1978) sees renting as an initial stage in the residential career of family, and eventually, the household becomes a consolidator owing land and its accommodation in the urban periphery,

Usman (1989) observed that maximization of profit formed one of the reasons for the location of house by owners of houses by locating his house. In intensive commercial activities also tenant are also unconscious about the varying rental pay within a city before choosing their place of residence.

They tend to choose where rents are lower except where other factors such as quality and accessibility.

Jurner (1968) also paid attention on the area of accessibility as he observed that migrants trades of high value on accessibility to central city jobs against a low value in rental tenements in the city central.

Kain (1962) also submitted in his data from Detroit, that lower income workers made short journeys to work and resides very close to their working place.

Also Johnson (1966) sees the high social class residents are been able to influence where they stay. This he opined might be as a result of their high purchasing power and the ability to being self-comminuting.

Jackson (1989) and Duncan et al (1955) also observed that social status and occupation group make a population aggregate residentially and this caused an observable pattern of residential segregation in spatial terms that are in a city.

In line with Ojors view (1985) Kadiri in his sample survey carried out in the study areas shown that the problems involved in providing adequate housing in Ekpoma are among others, those relating to land for house construction by non-indigenes, shortage and expensive building and the provision of basic services and infrastructure to residential neighborhoods. From the foregoing literatures therefore, it is evident that the problems of housing has been of major concern to both the government on the hand individuals and investors on the other hand.

SUMMARY AND THE RESEARCH GAB
        In the present study, many people and authors have talk on housing problems in a university town. We may understand that Ekpoma the housing is lesser due to that of the population of Ekpoma areas increase from stage to stage.

        Many researcher has not be able to get the extent problems of housing in university town. The only persons that was able to carried out the study of housing problem in Ekpoma is the researcher who claim that the population of people in Ekpoma is higher than the housing in Ekpoma town.

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