SPATIAL DYNAMICS OF ROADSIDE TRADING IN IBADAN METROPOLIS: A GIS APPROACH TO MARKET ORGANISATION AND URBAN PLANNING

Abstract

Roadside trading has become a crucial but contentious feature of urban economies in developing countries, particularly where rapid population growth and insufficient formal market infrastructure persist. In Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria, informal trading activities continue to expand along major transportation corridors as urban dwellers seek livelihood opportunities amid weak enforcement of planning regulations. Despite numerous studies on the informal sector, limited empirical evidence exists on the spatial distribution and concentration patterns of roadside trading in relation to road networks, transport nodes and formal markets. This study, therefore, examines the spatial dynamics of roadside trading in Ibadan Metropolis using Geographic Information Science (GIS) based analytical techniques including Hotspot Analysis, Kernel Density Estimation and Proximity Analysis. Major dual-carriage roads such as Iwo Road, Challenge–Beere and Dugbe–Sango were buffered at 30m from the centreline to represent the approximate extent of roadside commercial influence zones. Minor feeder roads linked to major expressways, especially around Iwo Road, were assigned a 9m buffer to reflect their narrower rights-of-way. Additionally, for the Iwo Road interchange with a large roundabout and intense trading, the central circular island was buffered at 1km to encompass the broader commercial environment surrounding the junction. Findings reveal that informal trading is not randomly distributed but is spatially dictated by the underlying urban fabric and the transport network structure. High-confidence hotspots closely align with the geospatial coordinates of major markets and transport nodes, while cold spots dominate elongated linear road segments farther from primary commercial zones. The overlap between high-density clusters and areas close to markets confirms that roadside trading density is driven by market attraction, transport accessibility and increased road encroachment. This paper recommends the provision of designated and affordable trading spaces along major corridors to reduce environmental and traffic challenges associated with roadside trading. Strengthened urban planning enforcement and coordination among regulatory agencies are also required to ensure sustainable control of informal trading activities across Ibadan Metropolis.