Damilola Olalekan
Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Urban Planning, Urban Gender Studies, Inclusive Planning
Biography
Damilola is a PhD candidate and recipient of the Melbourne Research Scholarship at the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne. With a foundation in academia, Damilola has served as an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has also collaborated with various individuals, government agencies, development organisations - both international and local and non-governmental organisations on numerous projects, leading to practical outcomes and publications in journals and books.
Damilola holds a BSc degree (First Class Honours) and an MSc degree (Distinction) in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Lagos. She is a registered town planner, accredited by the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), and is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP).
Her research is committed to advancing inclusive urban development, especially in the Global South, with specific focus on social justice, gender equity, pro-poor development and equitable planning. Her doctoral research specifically investigates the complexities of gender inequity in infrastructure provision in low-income communities in an African city.
Thesis
Social Justice, Women and The Fair Shared City in Lagos, Nigeria.
The accelerating rates of urbanisation over recent decades have highlighted significant issues of inequity and social injustices, particularly in the Global South. Despite progress in some areas, disparities in access to basic infrastructure and economic opportunities persist, exacerbating gender inequities and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including women. This thesis investigates the intersection of social justice, gender equity, and urban infrastructure provision in low-income communities in Lagos, Nigeria. This study seeks to answer the overarching research question: how is gender inequity present in infrastructure provision in low-income communities? The study examines gendered disparities in access to health, water, and sanitation infrastructure and level of women’s participation in decision making processes in infrastructure development within their communities.
Drawing on theoretical frameworks of social justice and feminist urban theories – intersectionality and the fair shared city- this research adopts a comprehensive mixed-methods approach that integrates both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study begins with an extensive systematic review of existing literature in Africa to contextualise the research. Subsequently, primary data collection will be conducted including semi-structured interviews with community members, particularly women, and key stakeholders to capture personal experiences and expert insights; direct observation to provide real-time insights into the lived experiences of women and conditions of the infrastructure; spatial data collection to map the distribution and accessibility of the existing infrastructure; and focus group discussion to enable deeper, collective and participatory decision-making, ultimately informing strategies for inclusive development. The low-income communities selected based on criteria include – Makoko, Ilaje-Bariga and Ijora-Badia communities.
The research contributes to the broader discourse on urbanisation, gender inequality, and social justice. It offers valuable insights into how urban infrastructure and governance can be reimagined to better serve all residents, particularly women in low-income communities. Ultimately, this work aspires to fill the existing knowledge gap and promote the integration of feminist approach in urban planning, ensuring inclusive development towards a fair shared city.
Contact
- Email molalekan@student.unimelb.edu.au
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