Title: Institutional Landscapes: The Spatial Logic of Urban Markets and Social Inequality in Nigeria
Authors: OLANIYI
Oladiran Paul
OJO
Mattew Olubamiji
Bashorun
Bimbola. R
Volume: 10
Issue: 8
Pages: 159-162
Publication Date: 2026/08/28
Abstract:
Urban markets in Nigerian cities are often portrayed simply as economic nodes, yet they function as deeply embedded socio-spatial systems that shape how people live, access services, and engage in everyday survival strategies. This paper develops the concept of institutional landscapes as a framework that brings together spatial arrangements, governance norms, and everyday practices to explain how inequality is generated and reproduced beyond income alone. Drawing on recent research on spatial inequality, urban informality, and infrastructure systems in Nigeria, the study shows that markets operate as engines of social life, with implications for access to food, livelihood pathways, and broader urban equity. By foregrounding location, relational networks, and household negotiation strategies, this work contributes to debates on urban justice and spatial politics in African cities.