Project title
Assessment of socioeconomic impacts of community-led urban regeneration in informal settlements: Case study of Kano, Nigeria
Project abstract
This study assesses the socio economic impacts of community led urban regeneration in the informal settlements of Kano, Nigeria, in the absence of state intervention. It examines how resident driven initiatives reshape livelihoods, housing conditions, and local development trajectories. Using a mixed methods design combining household surveys, focus group discussions, interviews with professionals, and spatial observation. The research evaluates changes in income opportunities, service access, social cohesion, and tenure security. Findings show that community led regeneration enhances local economic activity, improves infrastructure provision, and strengthens collective agency, particularly through self organised upgrading of drainage, roads, healthcare, education, and public spaces. However, benefits are uneven, low income and marginalised groups face risks of exclusion, rising costs, and political manipulation. The study concludes that community led regeneration offers a viable, context sensitive pathway for upgrading informal areas when supported by transparent governance, inclusive participation, and equitable resource allocation. The Kano case demonstrates the potential for scaling community driven models across rapidly urbanising Nigerian cities.