Determinants of residents' preferences for Urban Green infrastructure in Nigeria: Evidence from Lagos Metropolis

Understanding preferences for urban green infrastructure (UGI) and the factors responsible for these are very important for adequate provision and effective management of these vital components of the urban environment. There are however very few studies that provide insight into residents' preferences for UGI in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to examine residents' preferences for the different forms of UGI with green, tree, water and other features and the factors that influence these in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. The data were obtained via a questionnaire survey of 1560 participants in the study area and analysed using descriptive statistics, MannWhitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests and multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that the participants generally showed more preferences for UGI with green features including green corridors, lawns, sports fields, parks and gardens than others. Variation in the participants' preferences for UGI was mainly due to differences in their local government area of residence. Nevertheless, the four top determinants of participants' preferences for the different forms of UGI were the environmental and health benefits and quality of UGI as well as the respondents' involvement in pro-green infrastructure activities in their neighbourhoods. The study conclude that urban planners should focus on strategies that maximise the environmental and health benefits and quality of green infrastructure and foster citizens' participation in the development and management of UGI in cities in Nigeria and others countries in sub-Saharan Africa.