Causes and Effects of Building Collapse in Urban Transitioned Zone of Ebute –Metta, Lagos State

Olurotimi Sodiya, Volume 5 Issue 2, December 2024 Pages 32-41, Published: 2024-09-25

Abstract

One major phenomenon of the zone is the illegal change in building use which is a pointer to building collapse. The objective of the study is to examine the causes and effects of building collapse in the study area. The study adopted a survey design approach. A total of 120 buildings were randomly selected. A structured questionnaire and assessment chart were used to collect data. Data collected revealed that majority (76 percent) of the buildings have undergone change in use out of which 80 percent were loaded with equipment such as generators of varying capacity, and intense commercial activities. The study also revealed that majority (60 percent) of the buildings that have undergone change in use were in poor condition, 28 percent were in fair condition while12 percent were in good condition. However, the 24 percent of the buildings which still retain their residential use has majority (41 percent) in fair condition, 31 percent in good condition while 28 percent were in poor condition. The result of rs = -1 for RES to RES/COM and RES to RES/IND with the result of rs = +0.5 for RES, were indication of change in use as an important probable factor of building collapse in the zone. The enforcement of planning regulations; reinvigoration of the building certification agency; adoption of the urban renewal scheme; and the adoption and adherence to the land use zone plan were recommended.