Does increasing urbanisation in Nigeria mean improved urban health indices? The physical infrastructure and emerging health needs in Nigerian cities

This paper is organised as a direct response to the overall theme of the conference “Place and Health”. Focusing on the role of the physical urban environment in health and well-being, it seeks to respond to the questions... [ view full abstract ]

This paper is organised as a direct response to the overall theme of the conference “Place and Health”. Focusing on the role of the physical urban environment in health and well-being, it seeks to respond to the questions raised regarding the effects of increasing urbanisation on urban health in developing countries.

The particular research questions that this presentation is seeking to address includes
a. How does the location, availability and conditions of urban housing affect urban health and well-being in Nigeria's cities?
b. What intersectoral policies should put urban health at the forefront of city planning?

Using findings from ongoing Urbanisation Research in Nigeria, together with data from recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, the paper examines the links between housing types and health outcomes in a typical Nigerian city and argues for the need to have a much more integrated approach between sustainable cities and the health goals of the Sustainable Development Goals while stressing the need for urban planners to rethink urban health.