Housing Infrastructure Analysis in the City Core of Developing Nations: The Akure Core Area Perspective

Abstract Adequate housing infrastructure is essential for ensuring access to basic services, improving residential quality, and promoting the health and well-being of urban residents. This study assessed the housing infrastructure situation within the residential core area of Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the socio-economic, housing, environmental and infrastructure characteristics of the area. The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The core area was delineated into 10 residential zones comprising 1,193 buildings and approximately 4,772 households, from which a 5.0% sample of 235 households was selected for the survey. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, building conditions, housing facilities, infrastructure provision, services and environmental practices. Descriptive statistics, and a Housing Infrastructure Quality Index (HIQI) analysis were employed to evaluate the condition and quality of housing infrastructure. The findings revealed ageing infrastructure, diverse housing types, overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, poor waste management and deficiencies in drainage and other neighbourhood infrastructure. The overall HIQI indicated a moderate level of housing infrastructure quality, although substantial variations existed among individual infrastructure components. Water supply recorded the highest normalized index (0.943), while waste management recorded the lowest (0.391), indicating a particularly important environmental infrastructure deficiency. The study concludes that housing infrastructure in the Akure core area requires integrated upgrading rather than isolated interventions. It recommends targeted housing rehabilitation, improvement of drainage and waste-management systems, infrastructure upgrading, improved development control and strengthened environmental management to enhance housing quality, neighbourhood functionality and urban sustainability in the core area.