An Appraisal Of Urban Renewal Projects In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper focuses on an analysis of urban renewal projects in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The primary and focal point of this paper is to appraise the level of success of the urban renewal projects as it relates to the economic, social and physical context of sustainable development of Port Harcourt; and to examine the tools or techniques of urban renewal employed and the stages followed in the various processes. To achieve the stated objectives, the writer adopted the secondary survey method of data collection on the various aspects of urban renewal which includes land acquisition, relocation, rehabilitation, provision of public facilities, and re-sale. From the findings, it was vividly clear that a considerable number of urban renewal policies had been made and projects undertaken subsequently. These include Ndoki Waterfront Renewal Project, 1988; Marine Base Waterfront Renewal Project, 1989; Rainbow Town Renewal Project, 2000; and Abonnema Wharf and Njemanze Waterfronts Renewal Projects, 2009. It also showed that urban renewal programmes in Port Harcourt have operated below par because it had addressed only the physical aspect of the objectives of urban renewal without any rethink or consideration of the social and economic aspects. Furthermore, it showed the process had not been sustainable. The paper recommends the need for government and its agencies responsible for renewal projects to relocate the residents affected properly, seek to raise their income, adopt and allow for public participation, and institute a formal, efficient and effective renewal policy and legislative framework in order to have sustainable urban renewal programme in the State