Price Effects of Landfills on Residential Housing in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The question as to whether solid waste landfills affect residential property values has long been a subject ofcontroversy and debate. Previous studies have resulted in mixed conclusions. This study examines four landfillsites in Lagos which differ in size, operating status and history. The relationship between each landfill andproperty values were measured based on distances of 1.2km radii away from the landfill locations and themeasurements were based on the interval of 300meters up to 1 200 meters in concentric rings.The result of the study indicated that across the four landfill sites, increase in property values were evident asdistance away from the landfills increased indicating that residential houses in close proximity to the landfillssuffered value loss. Property appreciation relative to distance averaged 5.75% within the concentric rings for allfour landfills.