Waterfront properties are major revenue earners in many parts of the world. Apart from high property values
they command for the property owners, they provide revenue for the government and serve as a source of
enjoyment, recreation and tourism when open to the public. Along the Lagos lagoon, this is currently not the
case as the waterfront has degenerated into a slum with non-distinctive housing, mainly shanties at various
points, wood preservation, markets and commercial fishing activities. Growing statistics show that
waterfronts have huge potentials of financial gains. In the study area this potential lies hugely unexploited
and grossly under-utilized thereby wasting the area’s natural recreational resources. This research examines
the situation along the Lagos lagoon; identify problems causing lack of development of the waterfront for
recreation and tourism, and proffer solutions that will enable policy makers in government and the private
sector to improve the area. The study identified the problems, causes and recommends urban renewal and
landscape architectural interventions to engineer the desired change necessary to transform the area thus
making it more amenable to higher property values, maximize the use of the land and encourage recreation /
tourism to the existing waterfront. Among the problems identified, as they affect the waterfront, include:
very high population density, lack of planning and infrastructure, especially functional water transport,
properly designed relaxation and passive leisure areas, lack of security and non availability of on-site
recreational/entertainment facilities. The outcome of the research will be of benefit to property owners in the
area, architects, landscape architects, resort managers, tourists, visitors, industry practitioners, policy makers
and other stakeholders in determining appropriate facilities in order to create very functionally attractive
Lagos lagoon waterfronts for recreation and tourism.