World Journal of Engineering Research and Technology

*Eyenghe Tari and Tobi Derebebeapade Staznisslous

ABSTRACT

Urban streets are becoming unattractive and unpleasant for urban dwellers to appreciate. The aim of the study is to redefine streets for people in Port Harcourt municipality to enhance liveability of residents. The objectives are to identify the causes of obsolescence in the streets of some selected planned neighbourhoods in Port Harcourt municipality; assess and examine the impacts of the identified causes of obsolescence on the social and economic systems of the residents of these streets and neighbourhoods; and suggest sustainable approaches to redefine the streets of these planned neighbourhoods Port Harcourt municipality to enhance urban quality and liveability of residents. The study adopted purposive and simple random sampling techniques and key informant method for collection of data. Two planned neighbourhoods were chosen for study namely: PH Township and Diobu (Mile 1, 2 and 3). A total of 80 respondents (40 respondents each) were interviewed from the selected neighbourhoods. The study found that the main causes of obsolescence in the streets of these neighbourhoods are street trading, population growth, security concern, increase in vehicular traffic, unauthorised on-street parking, indiscriminate change in use of property, dumping of waste in street, noise, social disorder and poor maintenance of street. The impacts of these factors include noise and air pollution, traffic congestion, overcrowding, insecurity and safety problems, filthiness and loss of community identity and bond. However, the obsolescence in the streets and neighbourhoods have negatively impacted on study area and should be address holistically. The study suggested that proper landuse management and planning system should applied in the study area to forestall orderliness, sanity and control urban growth and development in these neighbourhoods; proper survey of the streets should be carried out to identify problems; systematic approach should use in the provision of new and maintenance of existing infrastructural facilities and services that will ensure and enhance attractiveness and pleasantry serene for living, recreating and working; short, medium and long term plans should be prospered for managing, planning and maintaining of streets; and collaborative planning approach should be employed to involve all stakeholders including government, residents and businesses to manage and maintain the streets and its environs to achieve sustainable urban system that will redefine the streets character and form.

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