Development Projects in Terms of Land Use on Converted Wetland Sites in Port Harcourt Municipality, Rivers State

Abstract

Purpose: Urban expansion and growth is one of the basic characteristics of urbanisation process. This expansion has telling effects on available land space in urban areas. The continuing reduction in available land space has led to the encroachment on wetland areas and its subsequent development. This study was carried out in Port Harcourt Municipality Rivers State. The aim was to assess development projects in terms of land use on converted wetlands. Methodology: Purposive sampling technique was used to select four sites out of twenty four reclaimed sites identified within the study area.Three hundred and eighty (380) household heads from eight proximate communities to the four selected reclaimed sites was arrived at with the aid of Taro Yamane formulae and were interviewed using purposive sampling technique. The extent of wetland loss to physical development in the study area was ascertained by running a time series analysis using the Geographic Information System (GIS) technique. Data on physical development projects presently sited on the reclaimed wetlands were identified and their coordinates collected using handheld Global Positioning System (GPS), a process known as ground truthing. The coordinates of the different development projects presently sited on reclaimed wetlands so collected were interfaced with Google earth images of the different locations using the place-mark device available on Google earth software. Findings: The study revealed that predominant land use in site A (Eastern Bypass) is industrial land use and a growing competing administrative land use; in site B (Borikiri Sand field), the predominant Landuse is residential with a growing competing commercial land use; In Site C (Eagle Island), the predominant land use is residential and in Site D (Ibeto), the predominant land use is residential with a growing commercial and industrial hubs.  Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study therefore recommends that reclaimed wetlands in the study area be properly plan and the different development projects earmarked for such site be fully implemented; Government should strictly enforce the land use control measures utilizing sub-division regulation, zoning ordinance, building and housing codes including site and service approach to ensure proper utilisation of reclaimed sites.