Spatial and Temporal Variations of Begging in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Abstract

Against the background of the perceived influence of urban physical environment on the incidence of begging, this paper examines the relationship between attributes of urban physical environment and begging in Ogbomoso, a traditional Yoruba city. The study relies on both the primary and secondary data. To determine the spatial variation, beggars were enumerated across the 20 political wards in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Time variation was determined by counting of beggars in selected areas in the morning, afternoon and in the evening. The findings show that the incidence of begging in Ogbomoso conforms to concentric, sector and multiple nuclei theories of urban land use. It recommends, therefore that urban planners, religious leaders and governments should among other things focus development control exercises on land use activities, prohibit begging in public places through legislation and create job opportunities for would-be beggars.