FACTORS INFLUENCING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS IN INTERNATIONAL BORDER TOWNS IN OGUNSTATE, NIGERIA

The estimation of determinants of housing development patterns in international border towns is essential to overcome some of the challenges facing development in these areas. However, few studies have detailed physical factors and neighbourhood characteristics as determinants of housing formation in international settlements. It is in this respect that the researcher aimed at evaluating these factors as regard housing formation pattern in international areas. The study systematically obtained the opinion of selected 361 residents in three selected towns between Nigeria and Benin-Republic using questionnaire instrument. Also, the relationship between housing development pattern and the determinants was hypothesized based life-cycle model of neighbourhood change using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Both models of SEM – Measurement model and Structural model – adequately fit the study data. From the structural model findings, it was discovered that both physical (0.13) and neighbourhood factors (0.11) significantly have direct effects on housing development pattern in international towns. Housing physical factors such as road network, land features, dwelling accessibility and vegetation have indirect effect on housing pattern just like neighbourhood factors in the area of drainage system, level of infrastructural facilities, condition of space, and condition of foundation and land acquisition finance. The study affirms that both physical factors and neighbourhood factors largely and significantly influence housing formation patterns in the international borders.