Abstract:
The aim of this research is to identify and analyze the factors responsible for the transformation of residential buildings at Erekesan area of Akure urban core and to determine the implications of these factors on the housing character of the urban core. In order in achieve this aim, specific objectives and hypotheses were formulated. The specific objectives sought to identify the factors responsible for housing transformation and to determine housing characteristics (emanating as a result of these factors) in the urban core. To conduct the research, the study area was divided into five sub-regions and each of these sub-regions was further divided into clusters of streets. In each cluster, houses that had undergone transformation were found to be 572 while the total number of houses in all is 764. From these figures, a sample size of 191 was calculated giving ‘e’ (acceptable error) as 0.05 and ‘z’ (value of standard variate at a giving confidence level) as 1.96, from table under normal curve distribution at 95% confidence level. Therefore, data was sourced from 191 houses through questionnaires designed in restricted response and Lickert scale. The data obtained was processed for descriptive and inferential statistics to test the formulated hypotheses and to determine population parameters. Information derived from the processed data showed that housing transformation at Erekesan area of Akure urban core were carried out for various reasons such as: commercial, increase in family size, status symbol and the need to accommodate extended families. Furthermore, the study showed that the poor housing condition and relatively low rents at Erekesan area of Akure urban core is significantly dependent on housing transformation. The research also revealed that the suitability of a building to the urban core dweller is significantly dependent on housing transformation to commercial uses and lastly, the study also revealed a quantitative housing shortage in the urban-core despite the large numbers of roomy ‘Face-to-face’ rental houses with umpteenth number of rooms in the urban core.
