The Effect of Climate and Culture on Housing among Low Income Groups in Lagos, Nigeria

The Low Income Group (L.I.G) in Lagos, Nigeria represents about 70% of the 18million population of the state. They are an important part of the economic activities in the state, with the bulk of public transportation and informal trading being undertaken by these groups. Housing, as the second most important human need after food has a profound influence on the health, efficiency, social behaviour, satisfaction and general welfare of the community. Thus, the provision of comfortable housing for the L.I.G has the potential to result in a significant benefit to the whole society as well as having a direct impact on the L.I.G. psyche. This paper seeks to present a review of the current housing conditions of the L.I.G based on previous studies of the largest slum areas within the city. In particular the implication of having extended family members cohoused, a fundamental cultural phenomenon that typically leads to widespread overcrowding, is discussed. Further, a study of the potential effect of global warming on comfort conditions within the houses is discussed, also drawing from past studies. Finally, the potential that Vertical Greening Systems might have in helping to upgrade present living conditions, especially in improving thermal comfort are analysed. Considering the concept of sustainability, the built environment is responsible for almost 40% of the global emissions. What can be defined as sustainable or eco-architecture represents an attempt to respond to global environmental problems and to reduce environmental impacts due to building and housing industry which includes the exclusion of natural resources, the emission of CO2 and other greenhouse gases’, ( Perini, 2011).