Socio-Economic Determinants of Housing and Environmental Quality: Evidence from Kubwa, Abuja

Abstract

Socio-economic determinants of housing and environmental quality are critical, serving as indicators of urban liveability and residents’ well-being. However, they face significant challenges in the rapidly urbanising cities of the Global South. Accordingly, this study assessed the socio-economic determinants of housing and environmental quality in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of Abuja, Nigeria. It adopted a mixed-methods approach, with primary data collected through the systematic administration of 392 copies of a questionnaire to residents across six neighbourhoods. Descriptive techniques, chi-square (X2 ) and multiple correlation were used to analyse the data and examine the relationships among housing and environmental quality, income and the educational status of residents. The results show moderately fair housing conditions with deteriorating environmental quality and deplorable infrastructure, indexed at 1.77. Building elements were rated fair at an index of 3.01 on a 5-point scale. Inferential analysis demonstrates a strong negative correlation (r = -0.676, p < 0.001) between socio-economic status (income and education) and residential quality. The regression model (R² = 0.774) confirms that income, education, accessibility and waste management are significant predictors of housing quality. The study concludes that residential conditions in Kubwa are fundamentally shaped by socio-economic inequalities. Consequently, it recommends prioritisation of infrastructural upgrades in deprived neighbourhoods, designing inclusive housing policies that support affordable materials and initiation of socio-economic empowerment programmes to enhance residents’ capacity for property maintenance.