What does this research mean for the field?

Over 70% of households in mass housing schemes in Abuja modified their internal spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic to adapt to new living needs, highlighting the limitations of standardized housing designs. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to explore how residents of mass housing in Abuja modified their living spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 13, 2026Open Access

User initiated design modifications with pandemic protocols implementation in mass housing schemes during lockdown: a case study of Abuja

Key Points

The research aims to explore how residents of mass housing in Abuja modified their living spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Descriptive survey research design employed
Data collected through observation checklists, structured questionnaires, and interviews
Participants included occupants from selected housing developments
Over 70% of households modified internal spaces
Common modifications included converting balconies and living rooms into workspaces and play areas
Occupants reported improved functionality but expressed dissatisfaction with circulation and spatial congestion
Adaptations emerged as informal resilience mechanisms in response to pandemic challenges

Abstract

Mass housing and affordable housing schemes in Abuja, Nigeria, are predominantly developed using standardized design models that prioritize uniformity and cost efficiency over flexibility and user needs. While such designs facilitate rapid construction and replication, they often fail to accommodate the diverse preferences, household structures, and functional requirements of residents. The COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated prolonged indoor living and the integration of work, schooling, and leisure activities within the home, exposed significant limitations in these standardized housing layouts. This study investigates the internal modifications undertaken by residents of mass housing schemes during the pandemic as they adapted their living spaces to meet emergent needs. A descriptive survey research design was employed, utilizing observation checklists, structured questionnaires, and interviews to gather empirical data from occupants across selected housing developments. Findings reveal that over 70% of households modified their internal spaces, primarily converting balconies, dining areas, and living rooms into play areas, workspaces, and study zones. These modifications were driven mainly by prolonged indoor confinement, the need to accommodate children’s activities, and the emergence of remote work and home-based learning. Although occupants reported improved functionality and general satisfaction with their self-initiated modifications, dissatisfaction with circulation and spatial congestion persisted, highlighting the rigidity of standardized mass housing layouts. The study concludes that resident-led adaptations functioned as informal resilience mechanisms, underscoring the need for mass housing designs that integrate flexibility, multifunctionality, and user-centered principles. Incorporating mass customization strategies into future housing developments is essential for enhancing liveability, adaptability, and resilience in the face of public health and social disruptions.

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