Enhancing urban resilience through greenbelts development in Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urbanisation and rapid urban growth have intensified environmental challenges in many cities, including pollution, urban heat island effects, biodiversity loss, flooding, and the conversion of agricultural land. These challenges have affected urban residents’ access to natural resources, food, livelihoods, and other essential opportunities. Greenbelts are increasingly recognised as important ecological and socio-economic assets that can support urban resilience. This study assessed the contribution of greenbelts to urban resilience in Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 384 respondents using structured questionnaires. Data were obtained on respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics, perceived benefits of greenbelts, and the contribution of these benefits to community resilience. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and charts, were used to summarise the respondents’ characteristics and reported greenbelt benefits, while multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between greenbelt benefits and urban resilience. The findings show that residents derived several benefits from the greenbelt, including food supply, medicinal resources, livelihood opportunities, environmental regulation, and preservation of flora and fauna. The regression results indicate a statistically significant relationship between greenbelt benefits and urban resilience, F = 2.759, p = 0.013. The correlation coefficient, R = 0.482, suggests a moderate positive relationship, while the coefficient of determination, R² = 0.240, indicates that greenbelt benefits explained 24% of the variation in urban resilience in the study area. The remaining 76% may be attributed to other social, economic, infrastructural, and environmental factors not captured in the model. The study concludes that greenbelts play an important role in strengthening urban resilience in Epe and recommends legal protection, community-based conservation, and sustainable use of greenbelt resources to enhance environmental quality, livelihood security, and long-term urban sustainability.