From the Lagos Lagoon to the Yangtze River: Memory and Urban Identity in the Morphological Parameters of Waterfront Settlements in Lagos and Nanjing

This thesis investigates the evolution, transformation and transference of “urban identity” within these settlements from their origins to current conditions. Examining how different urban elements are fixed and contested, and their relevancies in these sites and their urban fabric today. Through a comparative analysis of the Lagos Lagoon (Lagos, Nigeria) and Yangtze River waterfront (Nanjing, China), this research utilises urban morphology analysis—specifically analyzing architectural typologies, settlement patterns, and spatial organization—to interpret the socio-cultural, political, and physical dimensions that shape these urban typologies. Taking the settlements around Lagos Lagoon and the Yangtze River as primary case studies, this research brings attention to the complexities that have contributed to the urbanization trends and models in each city. ??This thesis also theorizes on the concept of collective memory and how it plays a pivotal role in the morphological evolution of these waterfront settlements. Going beyond the physical urban morphological elements, this body of work would be analyzing the anthropological aspect that contribute to historical adaptation and collective experience. ??The aim of this research is to provide a substantial background and framework to propose an urban village design project along the Lagos Lagoon, using the findings of this morphological analysis to form an adaptable and replicable model that prioritizes lived experience, and social continuity, rather than prescribing a fixed architectural language. Moving away from visual and economic spectacle, the aim is to address pressing challenges in housing, infrastructure, and socio-economic integration without erasing or marginalizing the existing urban fabric. Rather than treating Makoko and similar settlements as sites of urban failure, this proposal approaches them as integratable urban forms. The model aims to reconcile new development with existing socio-cultural practices, creating adaptable spaces that can serve the needs of Lagos’s rapidly growing population. By creating essential infrastructure and housing solutions that respect the socio-economic realities of the waterfront community, this approach aligns with the broader vision of an inclusive urban morphology. ??Methodologically, this thesis employs a combination of archival research, comparative morphological analysis, and design-based inquiry. This thesis ultimately aims to contribute to scholarly discourse on waterfront development by providing a comparative framework that examines how urban identity is constructed and reconstructed in spaces shaped by historical influences and contemporary pressures. Through an exploration of memory, cultural identity, and urban morphology, this research deepens the understanding of waterfronts not as blank slates for development but spaces that require sensitive and adaptive planning approaches. By contextualizing the socio-economic and environmental challenges of each waterfront, this study showcases the importance of integrating both cultural and functional dimensions in urban design. Through its emphasis on contextually sensitive urban design and the integration of cultural and environmental considerations, exploration of memory, identity, and urban morphology, this research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how waterfront cities can be transformed while respecting the diverse narratives vital to their urban origins.