Green infrastructure quality and environmental sustainability in residential neighbourhoods in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Green infrastructure (GI) provides ecosystem services that aid in mitigating the effects of environmental sustainability challenges (ESCs) and improving the health of residents. However, the extent to which GI quality influences environmental challenges (ECs) in highly populated urban settlements in developing countries remains unclear. This paper examined residents’ evaluation of GI quality and its influence on environmental sustainability challenges in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 1560 participants in a questionnaire survey. Results of descriptive and regression analysis revealed that the leading ESCs were greenhouse gas emission, waste management, and water quality and GI quality was rated poor by the residents. Availability of adequate, well-equipped green areas and parks had significant influence on ESCs in the study area. The study implies that to effectively mitigate the effects of ESCs more attention should be given to improving the quality and quantity of GI in Lagos Metropolis.

Keywords

• environmental sustainability challenges
• green infrastructure
• residential areas
• questionnaire survey
• urban areas