VIOLENCE AND URBAN SPACE

A CASESTUDY OSHODI-ISALE, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Violence or its threats have been a part of many cities since the beginning of mankind. It was also more profound in many African countries that transited from military to civilian rule. While the incidence of organized crime and violent victimization of innocent citizens is not new to many West African cities, the emergence of terrorist organizations, armed bandits, kidnappers and armed gangs in a city like Lagos has created new security challenges. Oshodi community is a renowned violent spot that poses an impeding havoc to the neighboring communities.  The challenges include the inability to control violence in the study area and also how this challenge have influenced the urban structure and form of the study area. in order to cope with the rising number of young people involved in crime rate and the threats to peace and stability in Lagos metropolis. This study is designed to investigate and analyze the impact of violence on the urban morphology of the study area. In the course of carrying out this analysis, 22 community stakeholders were interviewed. The mixed survey strategy was utilized in this research work and the result of findings was derived from both primary and secondary data source.