ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, HOUSING AND PLANNING CONCERNS IN THE OLD PORT HARCOURT TOWNSHIP

Port Harcourt arose from colonial development in accordance with British Town and Country Planning Laws, which encouraged the advancement of security, health, convenience, economy, safety, and beauty. Density restriction, zoning legislation, and planning instructions for building line, plot ratio, and light penetration were used to produce housing in Port Harcourt. While gridiron and radial roadway forms predominate, necessary drainage and sanitary infrastructure were satisfactorily completed and focused at prioritising human and environmental health. The existing British Town and Country Planning Laws have experienced some changes, resulting in the establishment of agencies to preserve public health and sanitation in all neighbourhoods. The investigation focuses on the housing situation and environmental sanitation in the city's ancient Port Harcourt Township neighbourhood. The housing standard, the neighbourhood standard, the housing sanitation, the housing condition, and the alterations (improvements) were all evaluated. To collect primary data, an interviewer-administered questionnaire survey was triangulated with a passive observational survey methodology, while secondary data was sourced from journals, textbooks, and statutory documents. The results of the survey revealed major violations of sanitation and general planning laws, resulting in mosquito infestations, congestion, and overall poor environmental quality and sanitary conditions. This has had an impact on the township's indoor and outdoor air quality. As a result, there appears to be a low level of urban quality of life in the research area, as there appears to be no enjoyment of excellent health, comfort, or environmental convenience. As a result, the report proposes that the government enforce rigorous adherence to planning/development control requirements. This would reduce the number of people breaking building codes and other regulations imposed by the city's regulatory authority.

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