The evolution of informal land use in a Nigerian market

Urban growth is one of the indicators that reflects human interaction with the environment and has a direct effect on land use change. Continuous demand for space in Nigeria’s urban markets to accommodate shops and other retail outlets used for informal economic activities is accompanied by a change of use. This study examined the impact of informal economic activities on change of use in Bola Ige International Market, Ibadan. The concept of informal economy and the bid rent theory provided the conceptual/theoretical framework for this study. Geographical Information System was used to capture the change of use between 2006 and 2016. Land used for informal economic activities increased from 39.45% in 2006 to 55.35% in 2016, signifying a 15.9% increase. This implies that other land uses have been illegally converted and encroached. Transportation land use decreased from 31.47% in 2006 to 30.28% in 2011 and to 28.73% in 2016. Land used for open space (including parking space, and open trading area) which was 26.7% in 2006 reduced to 20.24% and 11.05% in 2011 and 2016, respectively. Most of the green areas (62.1%) have been converted to informal trading spaces between 2006 and 2016. Illegal change of use was credited to harsh economic condition in the country, and the engagement of the unemployed and retirees in informal sector economic activities. It was suggested that urban managers in conjunction with informed activists, researchers and citizens need to formulate and implement planning regulations that will integrate informal economic activities.