Exploring Factors that contributes to Residential Environment Liveability Assessment in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Creating a livable residential environment has been given prominence globally, and of particular concern is the residents and neighborhood satisfaction relationship. The increasing reports of slum situation in many urban areas spur the greater concern about livability of mass housing projects around the globe. The paper explored the factors that contribute to residential environment livability through grounded theory approach. Extant literature provides factors such as dwelling unit features, neighborhood facilities, economic vitality and safety. Based on this, a questionnaire survey was developed to obtain views from residents of housing in Minna, Niger state of Nigeria. Residents views collected consisted of seventeen indicators of livability of their residential environment. Analysis of data for this study includes regression analysis, ANOVA and relative importance index (RII). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed that all the four factors with F (4,361) = 92.442, p<0.05 significantly predict the dependent variable livability. The regression analysis result revealed neighborhood facilities (34.8%) as the most significant predictor of the livability of residential environment. The results appear to be relevant globally; however, this study recommends an updating of neighborhood facilities and other key factors of livability in the study area by relevant authorities.