The study aimed at examining the spatial pattern of residential densification in housing submarkets of Bida, an ancient traditional town in Nigeria. The study adopted the 2015 standard residential density of Niger State Urban Development Board to determine the level of residential density and occupancy rates of the various submarkets of the town. The study also adopted primary method of data collection through the use of satellite images, handheld GPS and georeferencing of demarcated areas and the buildings, using point features and vector approach in ArcGIS environment to achieve the area coverage, number of buildings and buildings per hectare (ha) in the housing submarkets. The finding of the study reveals that in 2008 Town housing submarket has the highest area coverage, followed by the Project Quarters and then GRA, but in terms of residential density, four housing submarkets of Town, Rahmatu Dangana, Gbazhi and Wadata have high densities above the other seven submarkets. The study further reveals that in the year 2013, additional eight housing submarkets have high residential densities, GRA medium density while Eyagi and Prject Quarters had low densities respectively. It was therefore recommended that there is the need for rational densification (planned densification) for urban development in order to check the increasing unplanned residential density that reduces the green and open spaces in urban environment.

Economic and social problems and emerged threat to human life are the main reasons for abandonment of buildings or even the whole cities in different countries. Mainly abandoned buildings are found in the USA and in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Abandoned buildings in Kaunas city are analysed in the article; their condition is assessed and the ways for handling are proposed. The legal status and the purpose of use of abandoned buildings in Kaunas city are also defined. There are 46 abandoned buildings in Kaunas city. The majority of them are located in Šančiai neighbourhood, but the least amount – in Vilijampolė and Gričiupis neighbourhoods. As regards the purpose of the use, 85 percent of abandoned buildings in Kaunas city are attributed to non-residential buildings, and 44 percent of them are former industrial buildings. Due to the condition of constructions, threat to people and environment, as well as visual appearance, the state of 72 percent of abandoned buildings is poor. 52 percent of abandoned buildings are ascribed to be demolished, while the remaining 48 percent of buildings could be repaired or renovated.