Towards Climate Resilience:

Assessing the Impact of Community-Based Environmental Planning on the Wellbeing of Residents in the Slums of Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract

Urban slums in Africa encounter numerous challenges in adapting to climate change; however, the influence of community-based environmental planning on the relationship between resident wellbeing and climate resilience is still not thoroughly examined in existing research. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring how community-based environmental planning can foster both climate resilience and the wellbeing of inhabitants in Oke-baale, the largest slum in Osogbo, Nigeria. This study analysed the coordination of these initiatives, the involvement of residents in their execution, and whether improvements in environmental quality led to increased resilience against climate change effects. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive analysis. 10% of households in the slums were selected using systematic sampling technique, with questionnaires administered to adult participants. Furthermore, an inventory of environmental initiatives was created. To enrich the analysis, focus group discussions was conducted with community leaders, NGOs, and interviews with pertinent Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed to evaluate the data, correlating the Residents' Wellness Index with the level of community-based initiatives. The results provide policy recommendations aimed at improving climate resilience and enhancing the wellbeing of residents in Osogbo’s slums, providing essential insights for local governance and urban development.