RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SUSTAINABILITY IN GWAGWALADA, FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

Abstract

This study examined residential development patterns in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, and their implications for neighborhood sustainability. Employing a mixed-methods research approach, data was collected through surveys, field observation, and spatial analysis, and a descriptive survey research design was employed. The study population, projected at 381,733 in 2024, guided the sample size determination using Taro Yamane’s formula, resulting in 400 respondents who were selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The findings revealed that Gwagwalada’s population was predominantly male (69%), young to middle-aged (39% aged 31-40 years), and largely self-employed (35.3%). Housing tenure was dominated by owner-occupiers (54%), contributing to informal settlements. The study identified nucleated settlements (51.3%) as the predominant residential pattern, followed by linear (21%), dispersed (15.5%), and clustered (12.3%) settlements. High-density residential areas constituted 52.55% of the total residential land use, while medium- and low-density areas accounted for 41.73% and 5.72%, respectively. Findings also indicated that rapid urbanization, informal settlements, and inadequate infrastructure significantly impact sustainability. The study concluded that while high-density and nucleated settlement patterns enhanced service delivery efficiency, they also exacerbated overcrowding, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. The study provided policy recommendations to enhance sustainable residential planning. Strategies such as improved infrastructure planning, sustainable land use policies, and enhanced community engagement were recommended to promote balanced urban growth and ensure neighborhood sustainability in Gwagwalada.