Effects of Abandoned Buildings on the Environment in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined effects of abandoned buildings on the environment in five selected political wards in Osogbo, Osun State Nigeria. The study identified the types and causes of abandoned buildings in the study area. It assessed the incidence (nature) of abandoned buildings; conditions of environment in the abandoned buildings; and analyses spatial variations in the incidence of abandoned buildings in the study area. Data were obtained through physical enumeration of abandoned building. Also total of 202 structured questionnaires were randomly administered to residents in the study area. Descriptive statistics (mean) and inferential statistics (ANOVA) were used to analyse the data obtained. Findings reveals that death of owner (mean weighed value = 4.316), improper management (mean weighed value = 4.125), lack of fund (mean weighed value = 4.070), and dispute (mean weighed value = 3.935) are the major causes of abandonment of buildings across the study area. Most of the incidence of abandoned buildings is residential with an average of 3 buildings in each area. This implies that an average of 3 residential buildings were abandoned in each area across the study area. Also the physical enumeration shows that 173, 113 and 111 are the total numbers of bungalow, storey building and Brazilian buildings abandoned respectively across the study area. Obscenity (mean weighed value = 4.094), crime (mean weighed value = 4.030), and pollution (mean weighed value = 3.949) are the major environmental effects of abandoned buildings across the study area. Results from Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated that there is significant spatial variations in the incidence of abandoned buildings. The study concluded by recommending among others, that buildings prone to abandonment as a result of death of owner should be quickly assigned to the heirs. In the absence of heirs, the buildings should be in care of community leaders who will protect it from environmental consequences.