Urban Spatial Segregation and Interreligious Conflict in Kaduna: Towards Planning Strategies for Sustainable Coexistence

Religious conflict in Kaduna, Nigeria, has been ongoing since the early 2000s, reinforcing both physical and symbolic segregation between Muslim and Christian communities. This study explores how spatial segregation—characterized by religious identities—intensifies intergroup mistrust and fuels cycles of urban violence. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates spatial mapping using GIS, structured surveys with 300 participants across five neighborhoods, and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including religious leaders, urban planners, and local residents. The findings reveal that residential areas in Kaduna are sharply divided along religious lines, with Muslim and Christian communities largely inhabiting non-overlapping geographic areas. Public facilities designed as neutral spaces for interaction—such as markets and hospitals—frequently fail to bridge these divides due to ongoing fear, collective memories of violence, and spatial barriers that reinforce segregation. The study offers a comprehensive framework for conflict-sensitive urban planning, highlighting the importance of integrated housing schemes, neutral buffer zones, and interfaith urban forums. By grounding its analysis in socio-spatial theory and the contact hypothesis, the research delivers a nuanced perspective on how the built environment can serve as both a product and a perpetuator of social conflict. The proposed planning strategies aim not only to reshape urban space but also to restore trust, foster social cohesion, and promote inclusive development. The findings contribute to policy discussions regarding urban spatial justice, sustainable development (particularly SDG 11), and peacebuilding in post-conflict societies.