Wakeel Olorunwa Salau, Elizabeth Oluwatosin Nwachukwu-Omoniyi
This study examined the environmental and socio-spatial vulnerability of quarrying activities in Abeokuta, Nigeria, focusing on spatial exposure, vulnerability patterns, and residents' adaptive responses. The study adopted a mixed-method research design combining spatial analysis, household surveys and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Four operational quarries were purposively selected and 816 residents within 20 km radius were interviewed with structured questionnaire. Spatial analytical techniques such as multi-distance buffering, Kernel density, estimation, and weighted overlay analysis were employed to map the settlement vulnerability. The spatial analysis suggested a distance–decay pattern, with settlement density in high-risk zones (0.5-2 km) and high settlement density in the outer zones (5-20 km). However, regression analysis revealed only a weak and statistically non-significant relationship between distance and vulnerability, suggesting that socio-economic factors may play a greater role than proximity alone in shaping vulnerability patterns. Spatial patterns nevertheless indicated possible associations between quarry proximity, settlement distribution, environmental risk exposure, and land-use compatibility. Prominent among these perceived impacts were noise, vibration, and structural damage. However, the choice of residential location is primarily driven by socio-economic factors such as affordability, social ties, and proximity to livelihoods, rather than environmental risk. Adaptation/coping strategies were largely short-term and reactive, with limited adaptive capacity and institutional support This study emphasised the significant of risk-sensitive land-use planning, enforcement of regulatory buffers, and holistic environmental management. It contributes to literature by integrating spatial analysis and socio-economic factors to explain quarry-settlement interactions in the rapidly urbanizing environment.