Spatial Organisation of Housing and Factors Influencing Residential Choice in the Town of Bol, Lake Province, Chad

Housing, access to which is recognised as a universal right for all, embodies the values, traditions and social dynamics specific to different communities. It is a place of residence whose choice is often influenced by social, economic, religious, demographic, cultural and environmental factors. The housing in Bol, a Sahelian town in the Lac province of Chad, is a good example of this. This study looks at the spatial organisation of housing and the factors influencing residential choice in Bol, a Sahelian town in Chad's Lake Province. The study explains how traditional and modern influences intersect in the built environment, affecting architectural identity and social cohesion. The research methodology includes documentary analysis, field observations, photography, architectural surveys, interviews with urban stakeholders, focus group discussions and household surveys. The results reveal that there are three types of housing in the town of Bol, namely traditional housing, semi-modern housing and modern housing. In addition, three modes of spatial organisation were identified, including organisation around the central courtyard, separation of men and women, and random layout. Housing choice and spatial organisation were influenced by culture, age (p < 5%), gender (p < 0.001), religion (p < 0.001), occupation (p < 0.001) and income (p<5%). The field surveys reveal a transition to modernity that would result in a loss of the architectural identity of the town of Bol. These results provide urban players, political decision-makers and the public with essential information for improving housing and preserving the architectural identity of Bol.