Research
Correlates of Urbanization and House Rent in Ilorin, Nigeria
This paper examines the effect of urbanization on house rent in Ilorin Nigeria. It appraises the level of urbanization in Ilorin under historical periods of pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial era. The data used for the study were obtained from random sampling of 150 household in the metropolitan area of Ilorin. The information on the trend of house rent for period of ten years (2003-2012) were obtained through structured questionnaire administered in the study area. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine relationship between urbanization and house rent. Findings from this study show that there was relatively slow urban growth in the pre-colonial era. Colonial period witnessed a relatively phenomenal growth, while post-colonial era recoded a high level of urban growth in terms of population and land consumption. Also, results from regression analysis shows a significant relationship between urbanization and house rent at F- value of 216.535 and P- value of 0.000 (p<0.05). Moreover, with correlation coefficient (R) of 0.995 and coefficient of Multiple Determination (R 2 ) of 0.991, about 99% of variation in trend of house rent might be attributed to a magnitude increase in urbanization trend. The paper recommends among others that in order to arrest the rapid urbanization in urban centres government should place emphasis and a higher priority on the establishment of rural industries, the creation of other forms of employment and the provision of more adequate infrastructural and other services in the rural areas.
Differential Effects of Transportation on Male-Female Psychological Distress in Ilorin, Nigeria
The poor condition of urban transport system in Nigerian cities has now reached a crisis level. Although the situation affects women and men, previous empirical and theoretical discussions most of the time assumed the uniformity of women and men’s experience. Transportation Planning and Engineering have been gender neutral. It is against this backdrop that the study examines the differential effects of transportation on the varying psychological wellbeing of male and female in Nigeria using Ilorin as case study. The study uses primary data, which were obtained through a random systematic sampling of 500 households in Ilorin, Nigeria. Variables used for the study include conditions of urban transport activities and psychological distress information. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed unprecedented fear that people have for engaging in transport activities. Feeling sad and level of worrisome people subjected to while using transport facilities is also high. The study also revealed from the regression analysis that transportation have significant effects on the psychological well-being of male and female. These findings shows that urban transport condition constitute major threat to psychological well-being of women and men and the effect is more on the women than of men due to gender differences in the socially prescribed roles. The study recommends among others the need to improve safety on the street. A design of integrated metropolitan transport master plans with a clear vision of train, bus and taxis as well as urban motorcycle and non-motorized transport roles are needed. The study concludes by emphasizing the need to improve the current state of transport infrastructure in the study area.
