Dissertation Information for Linda Lacey NAME: - Linda Lacey
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- [No Discipline Recorded]
SCHOOL:
- Cornell University (USA) (1981)
ADVISORS: - None COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - None
MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected
Title: URBAN MIGRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A CASE STUDY OF THREE CITIES IN NIGERIA
Abstract: "Rapid urbanization is taking place throughout the developing world. While the flows of population to major cities may be part of the process of modernization and economic development, the immediate consequences can be extremely harsh. Within cities that are experiencing uncontrolled growth, they have created, in some cases, acute shortages of the basic requirements of mankind such as food, shelter, and water. Gross disparities in economic development have emerged among regions in Third World countries.
During the past two decades, government officials have become increasingly interested in developing strategies to control urban growth. Because of this concern, much research has evolved to investigate urban migration in developing countries. Unfortunately, most of the studies focus on a simple view of population redistribution which suggests that migrants who move to urban centers come from rural environments and bring agricultural and traditional type skills to the cities of destination.
The purpose of this study is to present an alternative view of urban bound migration in developing countries that conforms to the complexity of the process of modernization and economic development that is taking place. The research presented in the study investigated population movements to selected cities in Nigeria. The contrast that exists between migrants and city born residents, the spatial flow patterns and th consequent patterns of socio-economic mobility, and the motivation of migrants to move to cities that represent different spatial locations and population sizes were explored in detail.
Several hypotheses were presented to examine urban migration in Nigeria. They stated that migrants differed substantially from city born residents, and rather than representing lower levels of education and training, they provide higher level occupational services to the cities of destination. In examining the characteristics of the migrants, it was stated that movers represent numerous spatial and socio-economic mobility patterns to conform to the complexity of economic growth. On the motivation to move, it was stated that the life cycle of the individual was the most significant factor.
To investigate this alternative view, contingency tables, chi square analysis, and multiple regression models were employed to examine survey data on three different cities in Nigeria. Sample populations ranged from 1,600 to 2,600. Individuals, males and females, aged fifteen years and older were the units of analysis. The questionnaires contained migration histories that provided detailed information on the complex patterns of spatial and economic mobility as well as on the motivation to move.
The results of the analysis suggested that population mobility is a crucial vehicle for supplying high quality manpower to the cities of destination. The majority of migrants to all three cities provided higher levels of educational training and skills than city born residents. The data also indicated that complex spatial and economic patterns of mobility exist in Nigeria which are influenced by the population size and spatial location of the city of destination. However, the dominant spatial flow pattern was urban to urban movements. The stage of the life cycle was the most significant fact in the decision to move to all three cities. Factors such as the economic status and the location of family and friends were interwoven with the life cycle variable.
The major conclusion of the study indicated that massive population flows to cities in evolving societies are highly complex and necessary to accommodate the changing social and economic structure of those countries. However, further research is needed that focuses on the detailed patterns of mobility in other developing countries to confirm the findings."
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MPACT Scores for Linda Lacey A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:19:59
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