HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF ARCHITECTURAL AND URBAN DESIGN IN THE PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS

Abstract

This study examined the Effect of Architectural Designs, Built Environments and Health Care of Occupants in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The population of this study was made up of federal and state ministries of land and housing and federal and state ministries of health. However, the researchers adopted the convenience sampling technique to draw a total of 150 respondents (50 from Rivers State ministry of land and housing, 50 from ministry of health, 30 from federal ministry of land and housing and 20 from federal ministry of health). The study adopted both the descriptive statistics in the analysis of data. Primary data were analyzed using the simple percentage and frequency distribution. The study found that architectural designs, spaces to the built environment affect the health of occupants, that there is strong relationship between architectural designs, public open spaces for physical activities and the health of occupants. That architectural designs and quality of the built environment affect the health of occupants and built environment affect health of occupants. The study recommends that architect and building professionals should revisit the built environment and ensure that it comprises a carefully styled hard and soft infrastructure, built spaces and the natural spaces to produce a habitable environment and that government and architect to investigate providing a built environment that is healthy and design to the urban slum dwellers..