Urban Slum Upgrading and Participatory Governance (PG): An investigation into the role of slum community-based institutions in tackling the challenges of slums in developing nations the case of Lagos state, Nigeria.

Abstract: This study looks at the role of slum upgrading, political culture, power structure and how these factors affect participation in slum upgrading in Makoko, Lagos. It also investigates how community-based institutions participate in identification of slum challenges, design action plans on curbing the challenges, implementation and monitoring of the plans in Lagos state. Factors that affect the successful implementation or hinder the implementation of participatory processes in slum upgrading effort in Lagos state have also been investigated; this was done in order to explore how implementation or the lack of implementation in the Makoko case relates to existing theories of power structure and political culture factors in participatory slum upgrading. Furthermore, ways of improving participatory approaches to slum upgrading practices have been identified as a way of promoting sustainable practice in subsequent slum upgrade efforts in Lagos. Literature was reviewed with regard to participation in slum upgrading. This was followed by a review of theories of participation, and a discussion of factors that hinder effective participation in slum upgrading process. The single case study research strategy was adopted, in which the researcher interviewed some members of Makoko Community Development Association, community leaders and youths in Makoko community. The data revealed that participation in Makoko slum upgrading took two dimensions. A participatory approach was not adopted in projects initiated by the government. However, there was participation in a project initiated by international organizations. The data also show that power structures, political culture and lack of skills hindered participation. This is consistent with existing theory which argues that political culture, power structure, and skill factors hinder effective participation in slum upgrading. Meanwhile, international organizations’commitments to participatory approach in slum upgrading enhance participation. It was therefore suggested that to improve participatory approaches in future slum upgrading efforts in Lagos, the government must design state laws that will encourage the adoption of participatory approach in slum upgrading by government officials. While international organizations should encourage those who implement participatory approach to slum upgrading.