Adaptation Strategies for Climate-Resilient Housing in Ayetoro Coastal Community, Ondo State, Nigeria: An Empirical Study
Oluwatunmise Esther Iwayemi
*
Department of Architecture, Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Samuel Adedeji Daramola
Department of Architecture, Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Abraham Adeniyi Taiwo
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Coastal communities in Nigeria are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with serious consequences for housing quality, safety, and livelihoods. Ayetoro, a small coastal settlement in Ondo State, has experienced frequent climate-related hazards over the past decade, prompting residents to adopt various coping and adaptation measures to protect their homes and way of life.
Aims: This study examines the various strategies employed by residents of Ayetoro to mitigate the effects of climate change on their residential buildings. It also assesses the effectiveness of these strategies and proposes practical, culturally appropriate frameworks to enhance housing resilience within the community.
Study Design: The study employed a mixed-methods, cross-sectional, and inferential design. The non-response rate was 7.1%, and this research achieved a 92.9% success rate. However, the analyses were conducted using counts, simple percentages, bar charts, pie charts, funnel charts, cross-tabulations, t-tests, Analysis of variance, chi-square tests, relative risk, and relative effectiveness indices, employing two statistical tools: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. The results show that residents have adopted a variety of adaptation strategies, such as elevating house foundations, reinforcing roofs, relocating homes, using locally available resilient materials, and organising community-led flood control initiatives. While these measures have offered some protection, their long-term effectiveness is hindered by limited financial resources, technical challenges, and weak institutional support.
Methodology: The study data was gathered using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire, sectioned into three different parts. The 27 instruments of the questionnaire had a Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient of 0.878. Therefore, with a projected population of 33,173 and using the sample size calculator, a sample size of 379 is required to achieve a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. The following hypotheses were tested: 1. There is no significant difference in climate-related impacts, such as increased indoor temperatures, across building foundations in Ayetoro from 2012 to 2022. 2. There is no significant difference in vulnerability to permanent flooding across building locations (dry land vs. swampy land) in Ayetoro from 2012 to 2022. 3. There is no significant difference in vulnerability to climate-related impacts, such as soil erosion due to increased rainfall, across different building ages in Ayetoro from 2012 to 2022.
Results: The results show that residents have adopted a variety of adaptation strategies, such as elevating house foundations, reinforcing roofs, relocating homes, using locally available resilient materials, and organising community-led flood control initiatives. While these measures have offered some protection, their long-term effectiveness is hindered by limited financial resources, technical challenges, and weak institutional support.
Conclusion: The study emphasises the significance of indigenous adaptation practices in mitigating climate risks. Still, it underscores the need for a more coordinated and well-supported framework to improve housing resilience in Ayetoro. It recommends a community-driven approach that integrates local knowledge with modern housing solutions, effective land-use planning, and stronger policy backing.
Keywords: Climate change adaptation, housing resilience, coastal communities, Ayetoro, climate hazards