Megamalls and lifestyles of urban dwellers in selected cities in southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

The globalization trend in the 21st century has come with tremendous impacts across the nations of the world. Notable among the impacts is the emergence of megamalls and people’s changing lifestyles, resulting in socio-economic and infrastructural development. This study examines megamalls as an offshoot of the globalization process and the changing urban landscape in many cities with their growing population in Nigeria. It focuses on examining the relationship between megamalls and urban dwellers’ lifestyles in Nigeria with implications on population and human infrastructure for sustainable development. The study was conducted in three main cities of Ibadan, Lagos, and Ota in Southwest Nigeria. The study employs a descriptive research design using quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interview) research instruments to elicit information on respondents’ views on shopping malls and how it has contributed to human infrastructure and urban centers’ development. The modernization theory was employed to provide a theoretical guide for the study. Findings show that megamalls, with their aesthetic and magnificent structures, have contributed immensely to the development of urban centers and their dwellers by beautifying the urban environment, sales of quality and affordable goods, and a place for social gatherings relaxation. Therefore, it was recommended that more megamalls be built to meet up with urban dwellers’ growing demands and attract more social development.