Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

Factors Influencing Intra- Urban Households Residential Choices in Makurdi Metropolis in Central Nigeria

Godwin M. Kwanga and Daniel Peverga Dam

Abstract

This study sets out to investigate factors that are influencing location of intra-urban residential choices in Makurdi metropolis. Data were collected from 328 household heads (respondents) across the 20 major neighbourhoods of Makurdi metropolis, using questionnaires on various push and pull reasons making households to change their place of residence in the city. The data were analysed using factor analysis. The result of study revealed that 5 major factors altogether accounted for 75.76% of the total variance in the original data set. These factors are Factor 1 (Socio-economic and cultural Factor) which accounted for 32.85% of the total variance and is the most important factor influencing intra-urban choice of residence in Makurdi metropolis. Factor 2 (Housing and Infrastructural Factor) accounted for 15.20% of the total variance. This factor loaded positively and significantly on four variables with the dominance of housing characteristics and schools. Factor 3 (Income Level Factor) was predominantly dominated by income level which accounted for 12.84% of the total variation in the data matrix. Factor 4 (Proximity to Market and healthcare Factor) accounted for 8.46% of the total variance in the original data matrix and loaded positively on three variables. Factor 5 (Environmental Factor) was found to account for 6.40% which has to do with the absence of natural disasters. The relative importance of the factors that determine the choice people make of first residence in Makurdi is shown by their eigenvalues, which indicated that factor one (F1) is more important followed by F2, F3, F4 and F5 respectively. Interpreting the matrix of factor scores, a total of three neighbourhoods were recognized out of 20 that had strong positive scores. These neighbourhoods included Old GRA, Kwararafa and Lobi Quarters. This shows that the choice of these neighbourhoods as first place of residence was based on strong socio-economic reasons and cultural affinity which is the desire of the people to stay close to their kin and family. The study therefore recommends an integrated urban development approach based on the factors of residential choices that have been identified here in order to promote a better and healthier residential and urban environmental quality and enhance the capacity to predict intra-urban residential choices and neighbourhood preferences.

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