I did a reading about Lagos for a poly sci 597 course recently that really grabbed my attention. The city of lagos in nigeria is the largest slum in the world and is growing rapidly. There are two questions in my mind why is this happening and how do we fix it?
First of all the city is frowing because people are looking for an opportunity like in many other big cities. Unlike other big cities, however, there is no rich downtown area. Economics would suggest that there is a demand to be in a giant slum since so many people are there. The article said the city is still growing "By 2015, it is projected, Lagos will rank third, behind Tokyo and Bombay, with twenty-three million inhabitants." The living conditions are horrible. There are literally planks above the ground that act as sidewalks because the ground is littered with trash and... well, they dont have plumbing.
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another
Obviously this isnt vacation destination number one to put it nicely. The fact is there is relative oppurtunity in Lagos. Vendors set up booths durring traffic jams and sell to you as you inch by and the inhabitants of the city bring small treasures home and talk about how great
Lagos is to people in their home town. There are millions of people who all want to make money and live by new standards, but sadly it seems as if the city is running on hope. Economics may explain why people are there, but it is hard to cite economics as a reason why people stay there.
Somehow the inhabbitants find a happiness, becuase you just have too in that or any situation to stay sane.
New Yorker article
The city isnt getting any bailout money and its not shrinking.
The big question id like to leave is what is to be done?
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I think this is a very interesting blog. It almost sounds like our “rust belt” but on a much smaller scale and with much less poverty. Now that you have published this blog on blogger.com, you will be the source idea for Nikes newest shoe. I like/hate Nike just as much as the next economist, but the argument is, could am American company go into this area with hopes or bring true economic help to the area with-out receiving the quick right jab of the American politician. Perhaps Nike or any other major business goes to this area with the dreams of saving the people, as a true humanitarian mission. Could they get away with that? The answer to your question, “what should be done?” Well, when you come-up with that answer is when you win the Nobel Prize. It’s tough to solve a political/economical problem in a different country without hurting the country trying to help. Good post.
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