Neighbourhood Quality Indicators in informal Settlements in Port Harcourt Municipality

Abstract

This study rated neighbourhood quality indicators by residents in informal settlements in Port Harcourt municipality, Nigeria. Neighbourhood indicators were studied in situ without experimental manipulation and at one period in time, i.e. the study adopted a passive-observational research design. The study utilized both secondary and primary data sources. Primary data was collected using face-to-face administration of a largely pre-coded household questionnaire, to a probability sample of 192 respondents, drawn from the 2 neighbourhoods. Data analysis was based on responses from 191 questionnaires retrieved and the univariate analytical method was adopted. The study found that large percentage of residents reported a negative rating of neighbourhood quality indicators such as waste collection and disposal, safety of lives and property, fire stations, neighbourhood quality indicators, cleanliness of the neighbourhood, residential planning, government provision of housing for the poor, hospitals/clinics, recreational areas,maintenance of streets, aesthetic condition, noise level and the neighbourhood condition. Residents rated markets adequate and fire hazards low. The study concluded that majority of the residents rated neighbourhood quality indicators inadequate. The study concluded that government intervention in terms of infrastructure is absent. The study recommended that government should intervene in these areas to improve the neighbourhood quality to achieve sustainability.