Developing Sustainability in Analysing Sanitary and Environmental Conditions to Improve Quality of Life in Selected Informal Settlements of Port Harcourt Municipality, Nigeria

Abstract

Sustainability is a principle and practice that drives a balanced urban community. The study focused on developing sustainability by analysing the sanitary and environmental conditions to improve the quality of life in selected informal settlements of Port Harcourt Municipality, Nigeria. The study’s objectives were to identify sanitary and environmental conditions in the selected informal settlements, analyse the impacts of the sanitary and environmental conditions on quality of life, and identify physical planning measures that will develop sustainability to improve residents’ quality of life and neighbourhood quality. The study employed a Mixed Methods Research approach using a sequential explanatory research design. The study employed purposive and simple random sampling techniques to select two informal settlements: Nembe and Bundu waterfronts. Three hundred ninety-nine (399) respondents (households) were determined and interviewed using the Taro Yamane formula at a 5% precision level. In addition, six (6) key informants, including photographs and personal observations, were interviewed and used for data collection and analysis. The study found the sanitary and environmental conditions of the neighbourhoods were deplorable and unsustainability attributed to a lack of public water supply to buildings, poor drainages and housing conditions, employing unsustainable waste and disposal methods and prone to flooding. The study also showed that there are public health concerns and pollution of water bodies because of the unplanned nature, lacking basic urban infrastructure and services and non-compliance with provided building regulations and standards. The study’s findings suggest that the government should extend the ongoing public water reticulation project by African Development Bank in Port Harcourt Municipality to the informal settlements. In addition, regular studies of informal settlements should be carried out to understand the dynamics and possible measures to improve living conditions and the well-being of residents, and urban renewal schemes should be carried out to provide urban infrastructure and services in the settlements.