Urban informal economic activities have grown tremendously over the years in Nigeria
without a conscious attempt towards planning for them in the urban space. The
automobile repair sector of this informal activities have been haphazardly located within
the environment and so affecting the aesthetic quality of urban outlook. It is therefore the
aim of this study to analyse the location pattern of these automobile artisans as an arm of
the informal sector with a view to assessing their implication on the urban landscape. In
order to achieve this aim, the following objectives were formulated.; to examine the
distribution pattern of automobile artisans in Idah urban area; to examine the nature of
operations of the automobile workshop operators, to assess the effect of the activities of
automobile artisans’ on the urban landscape, to examine the problems of the artisans’ in
their location and to make recommendation for their effective operation in the area.
Five research questions and one hypothesis were formulated for the study. The
hypothesis states that there is no significant relationship between location of the
automobile artisan’s workplace and patronage (as measured by accessibility to major
road) and it was tested by correlation and regression analysis. Both secondary and
primary data were used in the study. A total of 103 copies of questionnaires were
distributed to the artisan’s population and were filled and returned giving a 100%
coverage and success. The result of the hypothesis using Pearson correlation coefficient
proves that there is a negative relationship i.e. an inverse relationship between location
and patronage among the artisans. The regression analysis also shows a weak relationship
between location and patronage meaning that patronage did not entirely depend on
location of artisans workplaces. Based on this findings. The study recommended
modified district regrouping concept in the form of two cluster groupings within Idah
along the two major primary arterial roads so as to ensure their effective operation.