Architectural Identity and Urban Growth: A Review of Residential Architecture in Lagos Mainland Since Independence

Abstract

This review investigates the evolution of residential architectural identity in Lagos Mainland, Nigeria, from the post-independence period to the present. It critically synthesizes literature from 2022 to 2025 to examine key housing typologies including tenement housing, duplexes, gated estates, and high-rise apartments and their transformation under the pressures of urban growth, socio-economic change, and cultural shifts. The study reveals that while residential design has diversified, it often reflects class stratification, inadequate planning enforcement, and a gradual erosion of vernacular identity. Common themes emerging from the literature include the dominance of informal housing, socio-economic influences on design, the tension between modernization and cultural continuity, and the rise of gated communities as expressions of security and exclusivity. The review identifies significant gaps in research, particularly regarding long-term user satisfaction, climate-sensitive design, and culturally responsive planning. It concludes with recommendations for more inclusive urban design policies, stronger regulatory frameworks, and empirical research that bridges tradition with contemporary housing needs in Lagos Mainland.