Play Deserts in the Planned City: Public–Private Inequalities in School Recreational Provision in Urban Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines how play deserts are produced within primary schools in Federal Housing Layout, Owerri, Nigeria, despite the area’s planned residential status. Using a convergent mixed-methods case-study design, data were collected from seven primary schools through 365 pupil questionnaires, of which 350 were validly retrieved (95.9% response rate), semi-structured interviews with 30 teachers and administrators, and direct observation of recreational spaces. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations, chi-square tests and thematic interpretation. Results show that recreational provision was largely nominal: six schools (85.7%) had open playgrounds, but these were mostly bare and poorly equipped; only four schools (57.1%) had structured play equipment, while disability-inclusive facilities were absent. School type significantly influenced facility availability (χ² = 5.83, p = .016), condition (χ² = 6.71, p = .035) and accessibility (χ² = 14.28, p = .001). Pupils preferred larger p