Travel # Makoko, Lagos (Nigeria): The Floating Waterfront Community # 나이지리아 라고스 마코코: “…
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# Makoko, Lagos (Nigeria): The Floating Waterfront Community
# 나이지리아 라고스 마코코: “물 위의” 수상(워터프런트) 공동체
## English
### 1) What Makoko is (in one accurate frame)
**Makoko** is a large **informal waterfront settlement** on/along the **Lagos Lagoon** in Lagos, Nigeria. A significant portion of the community lives in **wooden stilt houses over water**, with **canoes as everyday transport**, while other parts of Makoko are on adjacent low-lying land. ([Urbanet][1])
It is often called the **“Venice of Africa”** in media, but that nickname can be misleading: Makoko’s water-based urban form is visually striking, yet the core reality is an **underserved community facing major infrastructure, environmental, and legal/tenure constraints**. ([가디언][2])
---
### 2) Geography and internal structure: “six villages,” land + water
What outsiders commonly label “Makoko” is frequently described as **six distinct sub-communities (“villages”)** spread across water and land:
* **On water (stilt communities):** Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe
* **On land:** Sogunro, Apollo ([가디언][2])
This matters because “Makoko” is not a single uniform slum block; it is a **hybrid lagoon–land system** with different risks, services, and governance realities across sub-areas. ([Wiley Online Library][3])
---
### 3) Population: why numbers vary so widely
Population estimates for Makoko vary dramatically (often cited anywhere from **tens of thousands to several hundred thousand**). A recurring reason is that Makoko’s informal status historically meant it was **poorly captured in official enumeration**, and conditions change with migration and seasonal livelihoods. ([RSIS International][4])
Mapping initiatives and community-led data efforts exist partly because being “missing” from maps and datasets can translate into being **missing from service allocation and legal visibility**. ([HOTOSM][5])
---
### 4) Origins and identity: a fishing settlement that became a lagoon city
Makoko is commonly described as having begun as a **fishing settlement**, linked to family groups migrating from the **Benin Republic** area in the **19th century**, and later expanding with Lagos’s growth and the lagoon economy. ([Urbanet][1])
The “water urbanism” you see—homes on stilts, channels acting like streets—reflects adaptation to lagoon life rather than an engineered masterplan. ([Core][6])
---
### 5) Economy and everyday life: fishing, timber, micro-trade, mobility by canoe
Makoko’s economy is often summarized as **fishing and fish trade**, but livelihoods are more mixed:
* **Fishing and related processing/markets** remain central. ([Urbanet][1])
* **Timber and plank-based construction supply chains** matter because much of the built fabric is wood; Makoko’s proximity to **Oko-Baba sawmill/timber activity** is frequently cited as shaping settlement growth and materials access. ([데일리트러스트][7])
* The water network functions as a transport grid; **canoes** are not “tourist props,” they are core mobility and commerce infrastructure. ([Urbanet][1])
---
### 6) Infrastructure and public services: the “city next door” service gap
Multiple studies and reports converge on structural deficits:
* **Inadequate safe water supply**, sanitation, drainage, waste management
* Limited roads/access, healthcare, and schooling capacity
* High vulnerability to waterborne disease dynamics where sanitation is constrained ([RSIS International][4])
Because Makoko is partly water-based, conventional “pipe-road-grid” service rollout is technically and politically complex—often reinforcing a cycle where informality becomes a justification for under-provision. ([Pulitzer Center][8])
---
### 7) Environmental and climate exposure: lagoon pollution, flooding, salt intrusion
Makoko’s location on Lagos Lagoon exposes it to compound risks:
* **Flooding** and storm impacts are recurring for lagoon-edge communities. ([Wiley Online Library][3])
* **Water quality stress**: research on Lagos Lagoon documents pollutant pressures, consistent with the broader context of urban/industrial runoff and wastewater challenges. ([ScienceDirect][9])
* **Saltwater intrusion / brackish groundwater** is a known issue in coastal lagoon settings and is directly discussed in Makoko-focused groundwater/sewage studies—raising the difficulty of relying on shallow wells. ([아시안 기초 과학 저널][10])
These are not abstract “climate talking points”; they shape day-to-day health, housing stability, and the feasibility of upgrading options.
---
### 8) Land tenure, evictions, and rights: why Makoko’s future is politically contested
Makoko has been at the center of major debates over **waterfront redevelopment** and residents’ rights.
* In **2012**, Lagos authorities issued **short-notice eviction/demolition actions** affecting parts of the waterfront community; major human-rights reporting described forced eviction impacts and ongoing fear of recurrence. ([Amnesty International][11])
* Legal and advocacy efforts continued afterward; reporting on later court-related developments described **government-ordered evictions being deemed unconstitutional** in a landmark Lagos case (context: broader waterfront displacement controversies). ([Voice of America][12])
A key point: Makoko’s vulnerability is not only environmental—it is also **juridical and political**, because tenure insecurity can turn any “upgrade” narrative into a displacement risk. ([CISDP][13])
---
### 9) Upgrading and “regeneration” efforts: plans, prototypes, and mapping as power
Several notable interventions matter for understanding Makoko:
**A) The Makoko/Iwaya Waterfront Regeneration Plan (people-centered planning)**
A well-known framework was submitted to relevant authorities in **October 2013**, emphasizing participation, tenure security, economic opportunities, and an institutional framework for implementation—often cited as an alternative to eviction-first approaches. ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
**B) The Makoko Floating School (architecture prototype)**
The **Makoko Floating School**, built as a prototype to adapt to flooding/water conditions, drew global attention—then was abandoned over safety concerns and **collapsed in 2016** after heavy rain/storm events. ([ArchDaily][15])
The deeper lesson: iconic design can spotlight needs, but long-term value depends on governance, maintenance, and integration with locally owned systems.
**C) Community mapping (drones + canoes + OpenStreetMap)**
Mapping projects supported by organizations such as HOT and Pulitzer Center-linked reporting describe how being a “blank spot” on maps undermines planning, emergency response, and rights claims—so mapping becomes a form of **civic recognition and leverage**. ([HOTOSM][5])
---
### 10) Representation and ethics: the “floating slum” narrative problem
Makoko is frequently filmed and photographed because it is visually dramatic. However, critiques explicitly warn against exploitative content creation—particularly “poverty voyeurism” or vlogging without community accountability. Practical ethics that follow from this:
* Treat Makoko as a lived community, not a spectacle.
* Avoid intrusive filming of children and private spaces.
* Do not publish content that increases risk of harassment or stigma. ([Adventure.com][16])
---
## 한국어
### 1) 마코코는 무엇인가
**마코코(Makoko)**는 나이지리아 라고스의 **라고스 라군(Lagos Lagoon)**을 끼고 형성된 대표적인 **수상(워터프런트) 비공식 정착지**입니다. 물 위에는 **목재 말뚝(기둥) 위의 가옥**들이 촘촘히 서 있고, 일상 이동·물류·생활은 **카누**가 담당하는 경우가 많습니다. 다만 마코코는 “전부 물 위”가 아니라, **육지 쪽(습지·저지대) 구역도 함께 존재**하는 하이브리드 구조입니다. ([Urbanet][1])
언론에서 “아프리카의 베네치아” 같은 별칭을 쓰기도 하지만, 본질은 **도시 인프라·환경·주거권(토지권) 문제가 복합적으로 얽힌 공동체**입니다. ([가디언][2])
---
### 2) 내부 구성: “6개 마을”, 물 위 4 + 육지 2
외부에서 “마코코”라고 부르는 범위는 종종 **6개의 하위 공동체(‘마을’)**로 설명됩니다.
* **수상(물 위) 구역:** Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe
* **육지 구역:** Sogunro, Apollo ([가디언][2])
이 구분은 매우 중요합니다. 수상 구역과 육지 구역은 **침수·위생·접근성·치안·서비스 방식**이 다르게 나타나기 때문입니다. ([Wiley Online Library][3])
---
### 3) 인구가 왜 계속 “추정치”로만 나오는가
마코코 인구는 자료마다 **수만~수십만** 등 폭이 큽니다. 공통적으로 지적되는 이유는 마코코가 비공식 정착지로서 **정확한 공식 집계가 어려웠고**, 이주·생계·주거 이동이 반복되며 규모가 변동하기 때문입니다. ([RSIS International][4])
그래서 마코코에서는 “지도에 존재하지 않으면 행정·서비스에서도 사라진다”는 문제의식 아래, **커뮤니티 기반 지도 제작(매핑)**이 권리·서비스의 출발점으로 강조됩니다. ([HOTOSM][5])
---
### 4) 형성과 정체성: 어촌에서 라군 도시로
마코코는 흔히 **19세기 무렵 어업 기반 정착지**로 출발해, 인접 대도시 라고스의 팽창과 함께 라군 생활 방식이 도시화된 사례로 설명됩니다(베냉 공화국 일대에서의 가족 단위 이동과 연관 서술이 자주 등장). ([Urbanet][1])
즉, 수상 가옥과 수로 동선은 단순한 빈곤의 결과만이 아니라, **환경에 적응한 생활양식(워터 어바니즘)**의 축적이기도 합니다. ([Core][6])
---
### 5) 생계·일상: 어업 + 목재/소규모 상업 + 카누 교통
* **어업·수산 유통**이 핵심 생계로 자주 언급됩니다. ([Urbanet][1])
* 주거가 목재 중심인 만큼, 인근 **오코바바(Oko-Baba) 목재/제재 활동**과의 연관이 마코코의 확장·자재 접근과 연결되어 서술됩니다. ([데일리트러스트][7])
* 카누는 “관광용”이 아니라 **실질적 도로망** 역할을 하며, 통학·장보기·물류가 수로 위에서 이뤄집니다. ([Urbanet][1])
---
### 6) 인프라·공공서비스의 핵심 결핍
여러 연구/보고서는 마코코가 다음 문제를 구조적으로 겪는다고 정리합니다.
* 안전한 **상수(식수) 접근**의 부족
* **위생·하수·배수·폐기물 처리**의 취약
* 교육·보건시설 접근의 제한, 접근도로·응급 대응의 어려움 ([RSIS International][4])
비공식 정착지라는 이유로 서비스가 늦어지고, 서비스가 부족하다는 이유로 비공식성이 고착되는 **악순환**이 발생하기 쉽습니다. ([Pulitzer Center][8])
---
### 7) 환경·기후 리스크: 침수, 오염, 염수 침투
* 라군 가장자리 공동체의 반복적인 **침수** 문제는 여러 연구에서 다뤄집니다. ([Wiley Online Library][3])
* 라고스 라군은 도시·산업 영향권에 있으며, 오염부하(수질 스트레스)에 대한 연구가 존재합니다. ([ScienceDirect][9])
* 마코코의 지하수/우물 이용은 **염수 침투로 인한 염분(기수) 문제** 및 하수 영향 가능성과 함께 논의됩니다. ([아시안 기초 과학 저널][10])
---
### 8) 철거·퇴거(주거권) 이슈: 마코코의 미래가 “정치화”되는 이유
* **2012년** 라고스 당국의 단기간 통지·철거가 국제적으로 크게 보도되었고, 인권단체 보고서는 강제퇴거의 피해와 불안을 구체적으로 다뤘습니다. ([Amnesty International][11])
* 이후에도 유사한 워터프런트 개발 압력과 충돌이 이어졌고, 관련 보도에서는 **정부 주도 퇴거가 위헌** 취지로 판단된 사례를 “랜드마크 판결”로 전하기도 합니다(맥락: 라고스의 광범위한 수변 정비/퇴거 논쟁). ([Voice of America][12])
핵심은, 마코코의 취약성이 침수·빈곤만이 아니라 **토지권/거주권의 불안정**에 의해 증폭된다는 점입니다. ([CISDP][13])
---
### 9) 개선(업그레이드) 시도: 계획·프로토타입·매핑
* **마코코/이와야 워터프런트 재생 계획**은 2013년 10월 제출로 알려져 있으며, 참여·공동체 소유·토지권·경제기회·실행체계를 포괄적으로 다루는 프레임으로 소개됩니다. ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
* **마코코 플로팅 스쿨(수상 학교)** 프로젝트는 전 세계적으로 주목받았지만, 안전 문제 제기 후 2016년 방치/붕괴가 보도되었습니다. ([ArchDaily][15])
* **드론·카누 기반 커뮤니티 매핑**은 “지도에 존재함” 자체가 권리·서비스·재난대응의 출발점이라는 문제의식을 구체화합니다. ([HOTOSM][5])
---
### 10) 촬영·관광·서사의 윤리
마코코는 “볼거리”로 소비되기 쉬워, 빈곤을 상품화하는 **슬럼 보이저리즘/무단 브이로그**에 대한 비판이 공개적으로 제기됩니다. 현실적으로 필요한 원칙은 단순합니다: 주민을 객체화하지 않고, 사생활·아동 촬영을 피하며, 낙인과 위험을 키우는 콘텐츠를 만들지 않는 것입니다. ([Adventure.com][16])
---
## 日本語
### 概要
マココ（Makoko）は、ナイジェリア・ラゴスの**ラゴス・ラグーン沿い**に広がる、代表的な**ウォーターフロント型のインフォーマル居住地**です。水上には**杭上（高床）の木造住居**が密集し、生活の移動・物流は**カヌー**が重要な交通手段になります。一方で、周辺の低湿地など**陸上部**も含む“水と陸の複合体”として語られます。 ([Urbanet][1])
### 6つの「村」と水上・陸上の違い
外部から「マココ」と呼ばれる範囲は、しばしば**6つの集落（村）**に分かれると説明されます。うち4つが水上、2つが陸上です。 ([가디언][2])
この区分は、洪水・衛生・アクセス・サービス提供の方法が異なるため、実務上も重要です。 ([Wiley Online Library][3])
### 人口・統計が“推計”にとどまりやすい理由
マココの人口は推計幅が大きく、研究や報告でも「正式なカウントが難しい」点が繰り返し示されます。 ([RSIS International][4])
そのため、地図化（コミュニティ主導のマッピング）が「可視化＝権利とサービスの前提」として強調されます。 ([HOTOSM][5])
### 立ち退き・再開発・アップグレード
2012年の短期通告を伴う撤去・立ち退きは国際的に報じられ、人権報告でも強制退去の影響が論じられました。 ([Amnesty International][11])
一方で、2013年に提出された**マココ／イワヤ・ウォーターフロント再生計画**は、参加型・権利保全・経済機会などを含む代替案として位置づけられます。 ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
---
## Español
### Qué es Makoko
Makoko es un **asentamiento informal** junto a la **laguna de Lagos** (Lagos Lagoon), en la megaciudad de Lagos (Nigeria). Parte importante del barrio se organiza “sobre el agua”: **casas de madera sobre pilotes** y **canoas** como movilidad cotidiana; y otra parte está en zonas bajas de tierra firme. ([Urbanet][1])
### Estructura interna y población
Se suele describir Makoko como **seis “pueblos”** distribuidos entre agua y tierra. ([가디언][2])
Las cifras de población varían mucho porque la informalidad dificulta el censo y la disponibilidad de datos; por eso, los proyectos de **mapeo comunitario** buscan dar visibilidad para servicios y derechos. ([RSIS International][4])
### Riesgos y conflictos
Makoko enfrenta déficits de **agua segura, saneamiento y drenaje**, además de exposición a **inundaciones** y a los problemas de calidad del agua del entorno lagunar. ([RSIS International][4])
En 2012 hubo acciones de demolición/evicción con poca antelación que generaron crisis humanitaria y debate sobre derechos. ([Amnesty International][11])
También existen propuestas de mejora (p. ej., el plan Makoko/Iwaya 2013) y experiencias prototipo como la **Makoko Floating School**, que colapsó en 2016. ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
---
## Français
### Définition et cadre
Makoko est un **quartier informel** en bordure de la **lagune de Lagos** (Lagos Lagoon), à Lagos (Nigeria). Une partie substantielle du tissu urbain est **sur l’eau**, avec des **maisons sur pilotis** et des **pirogues/canoës** comme transport du quotidien, tandis que d’autres secteurs sont **sur la terre** voisine, souvent basse et humide. ([Urbanet][1])
### Organisation, services, risques
Makoko est fréquemment décrit comme un ensemble de **six sous-communautés** réparties entre eau et terre. ([가디언][2])
Les études soulignent des déficits en **eau potable**, **assainissement**, **drainage** et accès aux services, ainsi qu’une forte exposition aux **inondations** et aux pressions de qualité de l’eau du système lagunaire. ([RSIS International][4])
### Droits, évictions, “régénération”
Les événements de **2012** (démolitions/évictions à court préavis) ont cristallisé le débat entre “modernisation” du front d’eau et **droits des habitants**. ([Amnesty International][11])
En réponse aux critiques, des approches alternatives existent, notamment un **plan de régénération Makoko/Iwaya** (soumis en 2013) axé sur la participation, la sécurité d’occupation, et les opportunités économiques; et des initiatives de **cartographie communautaire** pour sortir Makoko de l’“invisibilité” administrative. ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
---
[1]: https://www.urbanet.info/mapping-makoko-a-community-stating-its-right-to-exist/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Mapping Makoko: A Community Stating its Right to Exist"
[2]: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/feb/23/makoko-lagos-danger-ingenuity-floating-slum?utm_source=chatgpt.com "danger and ingenuity in the world's biggest floating slum"
[3]: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jfr3.12838?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The impact of flooding on poor communities in Lagos State ..."
[4]: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-3-issue-8/475-484.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "A Socio-Economic Profiling of Households Livelihood and ..."
[5]: https://www.hotosm.org/en/news/mapping-makoko-using-drones-and-canoes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Mapping Makoko Using Drones and Canoes"
[6]: https://files01.core.ac.uk/download/571212347.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Water urbanism in Lagos: A case study of Makoko community."
[7]: https://dailytrust.com/makoko-living-on-water-and-in-danger/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Makoko: Living On Water And In Danger"
[8]: https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/mapping-makoko?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Mapping Makoko"
[9]: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619307811?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Impacts of land-based pollutants on water chemistry and ..."
[10]: https://ajbsr.net/data/uploads/4762.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Impacts of Sewage Wastewater on Groundwater Quality ..."
[11]: https://www.amnesty.org/fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/afr440342013en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Nigeria: Submission to the National Human Rights ..."
[12]: https://www.voanews.com/a/nigeria-court-evictions-unconstitutional/3910988.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Government-Ordered Evictions Unconstitutional"
[13]: https://www.uclg-cisdp.org/sites/default/files/documents/files/2021-06/Aderoju_ForcedEvictionsRoomforManoeuvre.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "1 Forced Evictions and the Creation of the Lagos Mega-City"
[14]: https://ng.boell.org/sites/default/files/makoko_iwaya_waterfront_economic_opportunities.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Makoko-Iwaya Waterfront - Economic Opportunities"
[15]: https://www.archdaily.com/789044/nles-makoko-floating-school-reportedly-collapses-due-to-heavy-rain?utm_source=chatgpt.com "NLÉ's Makoko Floating School Reportedly Collapses Due ..."
[16]: https://adventure.com/vlogging-mokoko-nigeria-floating-village/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Stop vlogging at Makoko, Nigeria's floating village"
# 나이지리아 라고스 마코코: “물 위의” 수상(워터프런트) 공동체
## English
### 1) What Makoko is (in one accurate frame)
**Makoko** is a large **informal waterfront settlement** on/along the **Lagos Lagoon** in Lagos, Nigeria. A significant portion of the community lives in **wooden stilt houses over water**, with **canoes as everyday transport**, while other parts of Makoko are on adjacent low-lying land. ([Urbanet][1])
It is often called the **“Venice of Africa”** in media, but that nickname can be misleading: Makoko’s water-based urban form is visually striking, yet the core reality is an **underserved community facing major infrastructure, environmental, and legal/tenure constraints**. ([가디언][2])
---
### 2) Geography and internal structure: “six villages,” land + water
What outsiders commonly label “Makoko” is frequently described as **six distinct sub-communities (“villages”)** spread across water and land:
* **On water (stilt communities):** Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe
* **On land:** Sogunro, Apollo ([가디언][2])
This matters because “Makoko” is not a single uniform slum block; it is a **hybrid lagoon–land system** with different risks, services, and governance realities across sub-areas. ([Wiley Online Library][3])
---
### 3) Population: why numbers vary so widely
Population estimates for Makoko vary dramatically (often cited anywhere from **tens of thousands to several hundred thousand**). A recurring reason is that Makoko’s informal status historically meant it was **poorly captured in official enumeration**, and conditions change with migration and seasonal livelihoods. ([RSIS International][4])
Mapping initiatives and community-led data efforts exist partly because being “missing” from maps and datasets can translate into being **missing from service allocation and legal visibility**. ([HOTOSM][5])
---
### 4) Origins and identity: a fishing settlement that became a lagoon city
Makoko is commonly described as having begun as a **fishing settlement**, linked to family groups migrating from the **Benin Republic** area in the **19th century**, and later expanding with Lagos’s growth and the lagoon economy. ([Urbanet][1])
The “water urbanism” you see—homes on stilts, channels acting like streets—reflects adaptation to lagoon life rather than an engineered masterplan. ([Core][6])
---
### 5) Economy and everyday life: fishing, timber, micro-trade, mobility by canoe
Makoko’s economy is often summarized as **fishing and fish trade**, but livelihoods are more mixed:
* **Fishing and related processing/markets** remain central. ([Urbanet][1])
* **Timber and plank-based construction supply chains** matter because much of the built fabric is wood; Makoko’s proximity to **Oko-Baba sawmill/timber activity** is frequently cited as shaping settlement growth and materials access. ([데일리트러스트][7])
* The water network functions as a transport grid; **canoes** are not “tourist props,” they are core mobility and commerce infrastructure. ([Urbanet][1])
---
### 6) Infrastructure and public services: the “city next door” service gap
Multiple studies and reports converge on structural deficits:
* **Inadequate safe water supply**, sanitation, drainage, waste management
* Limited roads/access, healthcare, and schooling capacity
* High vulnerability to waterborne disease dynamics where sanitation is constrained ([RSIS International][4])
Because Makoko is partly water-based, conventional “pipe-road-grid” service rollout is technically and politically complex—often reinforcing a cycle where informality becomes a justification for under-provision. ([Pulitzer Center][8])
---
### 7) Environmental and climate exposure: lagoon pollution, flooding, salt intrusion
Makoko’s location on Lagos Lagoon exposes it to compound risks:
* **Flooding** and storm impacts are recurring for lagoon-edge communities. ([Wiley Online Library][3])
* **Water quality stress**: research on Lagos Lagoon documents pollutant pressures, consistent with the broader context of urban/industrial runoff and wastewater challenges. ([ScienceDirect][9])
* **Saltwater intrusion / brackish groundwater** is a known issue in coastal lagoon settings and is directly discussed in Makoko-focused groundwater/sewage studies—raising the difficulty of relying on shallow wells. ([아시안 기초 과학 저널][10])
These are not abstract “climate talking points”; they shape day-to-day health, housing stability, and the feasibility of upgrading options.
---
### 8) Land tenure, evictions, and rights: why Makoko’s future is politically contested
Makoko has been at the center of major debates over **waterfront redevelopment** and residents’ rights.
* In **2012**, Lagos authorities issued **short-notice eviction/demolition actions** affecting parts of the waterfront community; major human-rights reporting described forced eviction impacts and ongoing fear of recurrence. ([Amnesty International][11])
* Legal and advocacy efforts continued afterward; reporting on later court-related developments described **government-ordered evictions being deemed unconstitutional** in a landmark Lagos case (context: broader waterfront displacement controversies). ([Voice of America][12])
A key point: Makoko’s vulnerability is not only environmental—it is also **juridical and political**, because tenure insecurity can turn any “upgrade” narrative into a displacement risk. ([CISDP][13])
---
### 9) Upgrading and “regeneration” efforts: plans, prototypes, and mapping as power
Several notable interventions matter for understanding Makoko:
**A) The Makoko/Iwaya Waterfront Regeneration Plan (people-centered planning)**
A well-known framework was submitted to relevant authorities in **October 2013**, emphasizing participation, tenure security, economic opportunities, and an institutional framework for implementation—often cited as an alternative to eviction-first approaches. ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
**B) The Makoko Floating School (architecture prototype)**
The **Makoko Floating School**, built as a prototype to adapt to flooding/water conditions, drew global attention—then was abandoned over safety concerns and **collapsed in 2016** after heavy rain/storm events. ([ArchDaily][15])
The deeper lesson: iconic design can spotlight needs, but long-term value depends on governance, maintenance, and integration with locally owned systems.
**C) Community mapping (drones + canoes + OpenStreetMap)**
Mapping projects supported by organizations such as HOT and Pulitzer Center-linked reporting describe how being a “blank spot” on maps undermines planning, emergency response, and rights claims—so mapping becomes a form of **civic recognition and leverage**. ([HOTOSM][5])
---
### 10) Representation and ethics: the “floating slum” narrative problem
Makoko is frequently filmed and photographed because it is visually dramatic. However, critiques explicitly warn against exploitative content creation—particularly “poverty voyeurism” or vlogging without community accountability. Practical ethics that follow from this:
* Treat Makoko as a lived community, not a spectacle.
* Avoid intrusive filming of children and private spaces.
* Do not publish content that increases risk of harassment or stigma. ([Adventure.com][16])
---
## 한국어
### 1) 마코코는 무엇인가
**마코코(Makoko)**는 나이지리아 라고스의 **라고스 라군(Lagos Lagoon)**을 끼고 형성된 대표적인 **수상(워터프런트) 비공식 정착지**입니다. 물 위에는 **목재 말뚝(기둥) 위의 가옥**들이 촘촘히 서 있고, 일상 이동·물류·생활은 **카누**가 담당하는 경우가 많습니다. 다만 마코코는 “전부 물 위”가 아니라, **육지 쪽(습지·저지대) 구역도 함께 존재**하는 하이브리드 구조입니다. ([Urbanet][1])
언론에서 “아프리카의 베네치아” 같은 별칭을 쓰기도 하지만, 본질은 **도시 인프라·환경·주거권(토지권) 문제가 복합적으로 얽힌 공동체**입니다. ([가디언][2])
---
### 2) 내부 구성: “6개 마을”, 물 위 4 + 육지 2
외부에서 “마코코”라고 부르는 범위는 종종 **6개의 하위 공동체(‘마을’)**로 설명됩니다.
* **수상(물 위) 구역:** Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe
* **육지 구역:** Sogunro, Apollo ([가디언][2])
이 구분은 매우 중요합니다. 수상 구역과 육지 구역은 **침수·위생·접근성·치안·서비스 방식**이 다르게 나타나기 때문입니다. ([Wiley Online Library][3])
---
### 3) 인구가 왜 계속 “추정치”로만 나오는가
마코코 인구는 자료마다 **수만~수십만** 등 폭이 큽니다. 공통적으로 지적되는 이유는 마코코가 비공식 정착지로서 **정확한 공식 집계가 어려웠고**, 이주·생계·주거 이동이 반복되며 규모가 변동하기 때문입니다. ([RSIS International][4])
그래서 마코코에서는 “지도에 존재하지 않으면 행정·서비스에서도 사라진다”는 문제의식 아래, **커뮤니티 기반 지도 제작(매핑)**이 권리·서비스의 출발점으로 강조됩니다. ([HOTOSM][5])
---
### 4) 형성과 정체성: 어촌에서 라군 도시로
마코코는 흔히 **19세기 무렵 어업 기반 정착지**로 출발해, 인접 대도시 라고스의 팽창과 함께 라군 생활 방식이 도시화된 사례로 설명됩니다(베냉 공화국 일대에서의 가족 단위 이동과 연관 서술이 자주 등장). ([Urbanet][1])
즉, 수상 가옥과 수로 동선은 단순한 빈곤의 결과만이 아니라, **환경에 적응한 생활양식(워터 어바니즘)**의 축적이기도 합니다. ([Core][6])
---
### 5) 생계·일상: 어업 + 목재/소규모 상업 + 카누 교통
* **어업·수산 유통**이 핵심 생계로 자주 언급됩니다. ([Urbanet][1])
* 주거가 목재 중심인 만큼, 인근 **오코바바(Oko-Baba) 목재/제재 활동**과의 연관이 마코코의 확장·자재 접근과 연결되어 서술됩니다. ([데일리트러스트][7])
* 카누는 “관광용”이 아니라 **실질적 도로망** 역할을 하며, 통학·장보기·물류가 수로 위에서 이뤄집니다. ([Urbanet][1])
---
### 6) 인프라·공공서비스의 핵심 결핍
여러 연구/보고서는 마코코가 다음 문제를 구조적으로 겪는다고 정리합니다.
* 안전한 **상수(식수) 접근**의 부족
* **위생·하수·배수·폐기물 처리**의 취약
* 교육·보건시설 접근의 제한, 접근도로·응급 대응의 어려움 ([RSIS International][4])
비공식 정착지라는 이유로 서비스가 늦어지고, 서비스가 부족하다는 이유로 비공식성이 고착되는 **악순환**이 발생하기 쉽습니다. ([Pulitzer Center][8])
---
### 7) 환경·기후 리스크: 침수, 오염, 염수 침투
* 라군 가장자리 공동체의 반복적인 **침수** 문제는 여러 연구에서 다뤄집니다. ([Wiley Online Library][3])
* 라고스 라군은 도시·산업 영향권에 있으며, 오염부하(수질 스트레스)에 대한 연구가 존재합니다. ([ScienceDirect][9])
* 마코코의 지하수/우물 이용은 **염수 침투로 인한 염분(기수) 문제** 및 하수 영향 가능성과 함께 논의됩니다. ([아시안 기초 과학 저널][10])
---
### 8) 철거·퇴거(주거권) 이슈: 마코코의 미래가 “정치화”되는 이유
* **2012년** 라고스 당국의 단기간 통지·철거가 국제적으로 크게 보도되었고, 인권단체 보고서는 강제퇴거의 피해와 불안을 구체적으로 다뤘습니다. ([Amnesty International][11])
* 이후에도 유사한 워터프런트 개발 압력과 충돌이 이어졌고, 관련 보도에서는 **정부 주도 퇴거가 위헌** 취지로 판단된 사례를 “랜드마크 판결”로 전하기도 합니다(맥락: 라고스의 광범위한 수변 정비/퇴거 논쟁). ([Voice of America][12])
핵심은, 마코코의 취약성이 침수·빈곤만이 아니라 **토지권/거주권의 불안정**에 의해 증폭된다는 점입니다. ([CISDP][13])
---
### 9) 개선(업그레이드) 시도: 계획·프로토타입·매핑
* **마코코/이와야 워터프런트 재생 계획**은 2013년 10월 제출로 알려져 있으며, 참여·공동체 소유·토지권·경제기회·실행체계를 포괄적으로 다루는 프레임으로 소개됩니다. ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
* **마코코 플로팅 스쿨(수상 학교)** 프로젝트는 전 세계적으로 주목받았지만, 안전 문제 제기 후 2016년 방치/붕괴가 보도되었습니다. ([ArchDaily][15])
* **드론·카누 기반 커뮤니티 매핑**은 “지도에 존재함” 자체가 권리·서비스·재난대응의 출발점이라는 문제의식을 구체화합니다. ([HOTOSM][5])
---
### 10) 촬영·관광·서사의 윤리
마코코는 “볼거리”로 소비되기 쉬워, 빈곤을 상품화하는 **슬럼 보이저리즘/무단 브이로그**에 대한 비판이 공개적으로 제기됩니다. 현실적으로 필요한 원칙은 단순합니다: 주민을 객체화하지 않고, 사생활·아동 촬영을 피하며, 낙인과 위험을 키우는 콘텐츠를 만들지 않는 것입니다. ([Adventure.com][16])
---
## 日本語
### 概要
マココ（Makoko）は、ナイジェリア・ラゴスの**ラゴス・ラグーン沿い**に広がる、代表的な**ウォーターフロント型のインフォーマル居住地**です。水上には**杭上（高床）の木造住居**が密集し、生活の移動・物流は**カヌー**が重要な交通手段になります。一方で、周辺の低湿地など**陸上部**も含む“水と陸の複合体”として語られます。 ([Urbanet][1])
### 6つの「村」と水上・陸上の違い
外部から「マココ」と呼ばれる範囲は、しばしば**6つの集落（村）**に分かれると説明されます。うち4つが水上、2つが陸上です。 ([가디언][2])
この区分は、洪水・衛生・アクセス・サービス提供の方法が異なるため、実務上も重要です。 ([Wiley Online Library][3])
### 人口・統計が“推計”にとどまりやすい理由
マココの人口は推計幅が大きく、研究や報告でも「正式なカウントが難しい」点が繰り返し示されます。 ([RSIS International][4])
そのため、地図化（コミュニティ主導のマッピング）が「可視化＝権利とサービスの前提」として強調されます。 ([HOTOSM][5])
### 立ち退き・再開発・アップグレード
2012年の短期通告を伴う撤去・立ち退きは国際的に報じられ、人権報告でも強制退去の影響が論じられました。 ([Amnesty International][11])
一方で、2013年に提出された**マココ／イワヤ・ウォーターフロント再生計画**は、参加型・権利保全・経済機会などを含む代替案として位置づけられます。 ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
---
## Español
### Qué es Makoko
Makoko es un **asentamiento informal** junto a la **laguna de Lagos** (Lagos Lagoon), en la megaciudad de Lagos (Nigeria). Parte importante del barrio se organiza “sobre el agua”: **casas de madera sobre pilotes** y **canoas** como movilidad cotidiana; y otra parte está en zonas bajas de tierra firme. ([Urbanet][1])
### Estructura interna y población
Se suele describir Makoko como **seis “pueblos”** distribuidos entre agua y tierra. ([가디언][2])
Las cifras de población varían mucho porque la informalidad dificulta el censo y la disponibilidad de datos; por eso, los proyectos de **mapeo comunitario** buscan dar visibilidad para servicios y derechos. ([RSIS International][4])
### Riesgos y conflictos
Makoko enfrenta déficits de **agua segura, saneamiento y drenaje**, además de exposición a **inundaciones** y a los problemas de calidad del agua del entorno lagunar. ([RSIS International][4])
En 2012 hubo acciones de demolición/evicción con poca antelación que generaron crisis humanitaria y debate sobre derechos. ([Amnesty International][11])
También existen propuestas de mejora (p. ej., el plan Makoko/Iwaya 2013) y experiencias prototipo como la **Makoko Floating School**, que colapsó en 2016. ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
---
## Français
### Définition et cadre
Makoko est un **quartier informel** en bordure de la **lagune de Lagos** (Lagos Lagoon), à Lagos (Nigeria). Une partie substantielle du tissu urbain est **sur l’eau**, avec des **maisons sur pilotis** et des **pirogues/canoës** comme transport du quotidien, tandis que d’autres secteurs sont **sur la terre** voisine, souvent basse et humide. ([Urbanet][1])
### Organisation, services, risques
Makoko est fréquemment décrit comme un ensemble de **six sous-communautés** réparties entre eau et terre. ([가디언][2])
Les études soulignent des déficits en **eau potable**, **assainissement**, **drainage** et accès aux services, ainsi qu’une forte exposition aux **inondations** et aux pressions de qualité de l’eau du système lagunaire. ([RSIS International][4])
### Droits, évictions, “régénération”
Les événements de **2012** (démolitions/évictions à court préavis) ont cristallisé le débat entre “modernisation” du front d’eau et **droits des habitants**. ([Amnesty International][11])
En réponse aux critiques, des approches alternatives existent, notamment un **plan de régénération Makoko/Iwaya** (soumis en 2013) axé sur la participation, la sécurité d’occupation, et les opportunités économiques; et des initiatives de **cartographie communautaire** pour sortir Makoko de l’“invisibilité” administrative. ([하인리히 뵐 재단 아부자 사무소][14])
---
[1]: https://www.urbanet.info/mapping-makoko-a-community-stating-its-right-to-exist/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Mapping Makoko: A Community Stating its Right to Exist"
[2]: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/feb/23/makoko-lagos-danger-ingenuity-floating-slum?utm_source=chatgpt.com "danger and ingenuity in the world's biggest floating slum"
[3]: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jfr3.12838?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The impact of flooding on poor communities in Lagos State ..."
[4]: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-3-issue-8/475-484.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "A Socio-Economic Profiling of Households Livelihood and ..."
[5]: https://www.hotosm.org/en/news/mapping-makoko-using-drones-and-canoes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Mapping Makoko Using Drones and Canoes"
[6]: https://files01.core.ac.uk/download/571212347.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Water urbanism in Lagos: A case study of Makoko community."
[7]: https://dailytrust.com/makoko-living-on-water-and-in-danger/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Makoko: Living On Water And In Danger"
[8]: https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/mapping-makoko?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Mapping Makoko"
[9]: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619307811?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Impacts of land-based pollutants on water chemistry and ..."
[10]: https://ajbsr.net/data/uploads/4762.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Impacts of Sewage Wastewater on Groundwater Quality ..."
[11]: https://www.amnesty.org/fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/afr440342013en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Nigeria: Submission to the National Human Rights ..."
[12]: https://www.voanews.com/a/nigeria-court-evictions-unconstitutional/3910988.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Government-Ordered Evictions Unconstitutional"
[13]: https://www.uclg-cisdp.org/sites/default/files/documents/files/2021-06/Aderoju_ForcedEvictionsRoomforManoeuvre.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "1 Forced Evictions and the Creation of the Lagos Mega-City"
[14]: https://ng.boell.org/sites/default/files/makoko_iwaya_waterfront_economic_opportunities.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Makoko-Iwaya Waterfront - Economic Opportunities"
[15]: https://www.archdaily.com/789044/nles-makoko-floating-school-reportedly-collapses-due-to-heavy-rain?utm_source=chatgpt.com "NLÉ's Makoko Floating School Reportedly Collapses Due ..."
[16]: https://adventure.com/vlogging-mokoko-nigeria-floating-village/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Stop vlogging at Makoko, Nigeria's floating village"