Abstract

Urban resilience is a crucial aspect of sustainable urban development, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria. This study explores the role of urban green infrastructure (GI) in enhancing urban resilience by mitigating climate change impacts, improving air quality, and promoting social and ecological sustainability. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research evaluates key dimensions of GI, its contributions to urban resilience, and the planning measures supporting its integration. The research adopted descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and thematic coding of qualitative responses to present the outcomes of the research analysis. The statistical analysis revealed that 83% of respondents were familiar with GI, although 72% of the surveyed areas possessed tree cover, while 28% lacked trees, with poor vegetation coverage. Meanwhile, the majority of respondents recognized the environmental resilience benefits of GI, with 89% recognizing its role in mitigating urban heat island effects, 80% believing that GI influences water quality positively, and 74% confirming enhanced stormwater management. Economic and social benefits were moderately recognized, with 77% perceiving the potential for green job creation and 52% acknowledging improvements in social cohesion. Only 47% recognized the potential for reducing healthcare costs, while 81% supported the need for capacity building and training. Inferential analysis showed significant spatial disparities in the distribution of trees (F = 30.726, p < 0.05) and grass (F = 37.738, p < 0.05), confirming uneven access to GI across Metropolitan Lagos. However, challenges such as inadequate urban planning, low public awareness, and policy implementation gaps hinder GI adoption. The study underscores the need for strategic planning policies that prioritize GI, with recommendations for stronger government intervention, community engagement, and adaptive planning frameworks. These insights contribute to understanding how cities in developing regions can leverage GI to foster resilience.

Key words: Climate change, green infrastructure (GI), Lagos, sustainable development, urban resilience.