Green Walls and Public Healthcare Facilities in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Generally, the architectural design and physical development of green walls in urban hemisphere has gone beyond aesthetics and traditional values. However, the multifunctional approach and quality healthcare contributions of green infrastructure are perhaps the contemporary trend urban dwellers value most. The economic, social, environmental and healthcare understanding of urban green spaces is on increase, as many environmental advocates affirmed that urban green spaces enhance sustainable city development. Conversely, this article concentrated more on public healthcare services or provision of green spaces in Nigeria urban environment, using Port Harcourt as a situation study. The healthcare benefit, environmental protection and sustainable city ideology of greens are imperative, but many have hardly been given any significant attention for smart city growth or development. Distribution of questionnaire for field survey constitute the study instrument while Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) served as the data analytical method and 5% of The sample was also derived from onscreen digitization of the neighbourhoods under investigation and the findings showed that green space sustain biodiversity, densification, environmental degradation, human health/wellbeing and mitigation against climate change are the healthcare services green spaces provide to the urban environment. However, population increase, urbanisation, poor physical planning/ zoning and government policy are the major determinants for the damages urban green spaces recorded as a healthcare facility. The analysis maintained that absences of green spaces in urban environment are responsible for poor urban morphology, loss of resilience/smart city, quality air, depreciation of property and neighbourhood value etc. As usage understanding, budget constraint and inappropriate cost benefit analysis are the challenges of urban green spaces in developing cities. The recommendations made by the research include the adoption of green space creation exercise. The minimum of two green spaces should be created and maintained per urban street schemes, participation of urban residents, corporate and non-government organisations in urban green spaces planning, development and the inspiration of mini green space for individual building plans among others. This will enhance sustainable urban healthcare facilities and development in Nigeria.