Peri-Urban Areas and the Spatial Identity Question

By Dr. Olanrewaju Samso

Nigerian urban areas are witnessing both structural transformation and spatial expansion. As more migrants enter cities they expand and intrude into neighbouring peri-urban areas. The relatively cheap price of land and cost of living are pulling factors into peri-urban areas. Peri-urban areas apart from being safe haven to urban residents are critical to the spatial configuration of their urban host. The outlays of roads, houses, and the entire fabric of land use in the peri-urban areas go a long way to inform the convenience and public health of urban residents.

The relationship between peri-urban and host urban areas is double-ended. The peri-urban areas host the population that supports the host urban areas, while the economy of the peri-urban area is sustained by the host community. A fall-out of the urban-peri-urban interaction is a change in land use and spatial identity of peri-urban areas. This article examines spatial identity in the peri-urban areas of Nigeria and discusses the method of addressing it.

Challenge of Spatial Identity in Peri-Urban Areas

Peri-urban areas are unique spatial entities possessing a blend of rural-urban environments that are gradually diffused by urban elements. Hence, as diffusion increases, the spatial identity and landuse characteristics of the areas are threatened – manifesting new land use expressed as much as intrusion. Also, as cities expand into their peri-urban areas, the boundary between the spatial entities – urban and peri-urban – fuses. Hence, the spatial identities of peri-urban areas, which are once defined, identifiable, and accessible get porous, diffused, and unclear. As much as urbanization continues to take place in Nigeria, peri-urban urban areas will continue to grow in size and diversity thus losing their spatial identity.

There is a growing number of peri-urban areas in Nigerian cities with each of them lacking their spatial and cultural identities. Except for the name, some peri-urban areas get so diffused that they lose their shape, extent, and administrative jurisdiction to their host urban areas. In some cases, the peri-urban areas lose their cultural and historical resources including rivers to diverse emerging urban landuses. Hence, as urbanism is growing, the future of adjoining settlements which grow to become peri-urban areas is a concern for urban management. How can the spatial identity of peri-urban areas be retained to promote culture? 

Addressing Spatial Identity in Peri-Urban Areas

To address the challenge of the diffusion of spatial identity in the peri-urban areas, there is a need for local land governance. Many lands, particularly in rural areas are owned by individuals and communities. Community leaders and local land speculators are critical to the transfer of lands for different landowners, hence they can be explored for land reservation and to prevent intensification of landuses. Similarly, lands particularly those bordering peri-urban and immediate urban lands are required to be retained and reserved to promote expanse differentials. These buffered areas can be retained for Agricultural practices to promote food security and clean air in the peri-urban areas. 

Further readings

Mai, M. M., & Shamsuddin, S. (2008). Ethnic spatial identity in the context of urbanization: the transformation of Gbagyi compounds in North Central Nigeria. Journal of Urbanism, 1(3), 265-280.

Adedire, F. M. (2018, September). Peri-urban expansion in Ikorodu, Lagos: extent, causes, effects, and policy response. In Urban Forum (Vol. 29, pp. 259-275). Springer Netherlands.