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.