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Environmental and Structural Risk Factors Influencing the Proliferation of Uncompleted Buildings in Coastal Urban Areas: A Case Study of Eti-Osa, Lagos
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Architecture and Urban Studies
Abstract
Uncompleted buildings in coastal urban regions pose serious environmental and structural risks, threatening sustainable development, livability, and resilience in affected communities. This study investigates the factors responsible for the increasing number of abandoned and partially constructed buildings in Eti-Osa, a rapidly urbanizing coastal district in Lagos, Nigeria. Using spatial analysis, field surveys, and semi-structured interviews, the study identifies flooding, salt-laden winds, unstable soil conditions, and weak regulatory enforcement as core environmental and structural factors contributing to the phenomenon. The findings reveal that proximity to the Atlantic Ocean exacerbates material degradation and delays in construction, while ineffective land use monitoring further complicates project continuity. The paper recommends context-specific building codes, coastal planning reforms, and integrated construction monitoring frameworks for minimizing risks and improving building project outcomes in vulnerable urban coastlines.
Keywords
Coastal Urban Areas, Uncompleted Buildings, Environmental Risks, Structural Degradation, Eti-Osa, Urban Resilience
How to cite this paper
@article{1709595,
author = {Olaifa Olaoluwa Kolawole, Prof. Daramola Samuel, Prof. Adegbile Micheal},
title = {Environmental and Structural Risk Factors Influencing the Proliferation of Uncompleted Buildings in Coastal Urban Areas: A Case Study of Eti-Osa, Lagos},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {415-419},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1709595.pdf},
abstract = {Uncompleted buildings in coastal urban regions pose serious environmental and structural risks, threatening sustainable development, livability, and resilience in affected communities. This study investigates the factors responsible for the increasing number of abandoned and partially constructed buildings in Eti-Osa, a rapidly urbanizing coastal district in Lagos, Nigeria. Using spatial analysis, field surveys, and semi-structured interviews, the study identifies flooding, salt-laden winds, unstable soil conditions, and weak regulatory enforcement as core environmental and structural factors contributing to the phenomenon. The findings reveal that proximity to the Atlantic Ocean exacerbates material degradation and delays in construction, while ineffective land use monitoring further complicates project continuity. The paper recommends context-specific building codes, coastal planning reforms, and integrated construction monitoring frameworks for minimizing risks and improving building project outcomes in vulnerable urban coastlines.},
keywords = {Coastal Urban Areas, Uncompleted Buildings, Environmental Risks, Structural Degradation, Eti-Osa, Urban Resilience},
month = {July},
}