Sustainable Urban Development on Marginal Land in the Niger Delta: Evidence from Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in the Niger Delta has increased pressure on available urban land, resulting in the expansion of development into environmentally constrained and marginal areas and creating challenges for sustainable urban planning. This study assessed sustainable urban development on marginal land in the Niger Delta, using Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria, as a case study. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design, and primary data were collected through a well-tailored structured questionnaire administered to 400 respondents with 361 valid responses selected from different residential areas across the metropolis. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, while analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to test the study hypotheses at the 5% level of significance. The findings showed that only 21.34% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that there was a high level of sustainable urban development in their residential areas, while 56.51% disagreed or strongly disagreed. Regarding infrastructure, only 37.67% agreed that basic social amenities were adequately available, while 34.90% agreed that there were good roads and 34.63% reported the presence of ultramodern infrastructure. Conversely, the findings indicated positive perceptions of some outcomes of urban development, with 73.41% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that urban development had a positive impact on health, safety and the environment, while 64.27% reported positive socioeconomic impacts. However, 65.37% acknowledged environmental consequences associated with urban development, and 55.96% disagreed or strongly disagreed that government had performed very well in sustainable urban development. The first ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference in responses concerning the level of sustainable urban development (F = 16.19, p < .001), while the second also indicated a significant difference regarding its impact on health, safety and the environment (F = 23.19, p < .001). The third ANOVA produced F = 1.37, p = .311, indicating no statistically significant difference at the 5% level. The study concludes that although urban development generates important socioeconomic and HSE benefits, its sustainability in Port Harcourt is constrained by inadequate infrastructure, environmental consequences and weaknesses in urban planning and management. The study recommends the adoption of risk-sensitive land-use planning, improved drainage and road infrastructure, protection of wetlands and other environmentally sensitive marginal lands, climate-resilient construction practices, and stronger environmental monitoring and development control to ensure that future urban expansion is sustainable and resilient.